Tigers snatch thrilling win over Dons

Ricky Petterd's late super goal gives Richmond an eight-point win in their AFL pre-season match against Essendon in Wangaratta.

Ricky Petterd celebrates the super goal that gave Richmond a last-minute win over Essendon. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

FOOTY tried to spruik itself as a world spectacle watched by beefy NFL stars this week, but last night Essendon and Richmond returned to the game's beating heart.

FOOTY tried to spruik itself as a world spectacle watched by beefy NFL stars this week, but last night Essendon and Richmond returned to the game's beating heart.

The 11,000 rusted-on country fans who crammed every corner of Wangaratta's Norm Minns Oval were given a spectacular contest for their patience after last year's aborted game.

A Ricky Petterd supergoal capped Richmond's last-quarter surge to topple Essendon in a eight-point victory, snapping a run of close losses for the Tigers dating back to last year.

Given Richmond had at least six of their Round 1 side out and rested Dustin Martin and Chris Newman at half-time, even an honourable loss would normally be enough.

But as the behinds mounted up for Richmond in the last term - eight in all as well as a Matty White goal - suddenly this contested threatened to heighten Richmond's mental fragility.

Then Petterd gathered, running away from goal, turned and darted past an Essendon defender and finally broke the Dons' resistence with a bomb from outside 50 metres.

Given Essendon was missing just David Zaharakis from its Round 1 side and has only a clash with Greater Western Sydney before its season-opener, no wonder James Hird was frustrated with the last term.

But bottom line - both sides got star performances from some youngsters, with no match review panel or injury worries.

For Essendon, Jobe Watson made a successful return from knee issues and Brendon Goddard was again impressive.

Richmond counterpart Jack Riewoldt - leading his team in the absence of Trent Cotchin - was well beaten by emerging defensive star Jake Carlisle.

Carlisle and Dustin Fletcher were defensive rocks in a side that had its backline decimated last season.

The win from Richmond showed plenty of heart, given they had already given up a 20-point second-term lead, then let Essendon kick five straight to grab back the ascendancy.

Early on, Orren Stephensen took control in the ruck, Martin continued his excellent pre-season form, and the Tigers' swarming defensive pressure saw them jump out to a 20-point lead late in the second term.

If not for inaccurate kicking at goal and acting captain Riewoldt's determination to pass to teammates when within range, they could have built a match-winning lead.

But just as they did against North Melbourne last week - and so often last year - they let an opponent back into the match with a five-minute brain fade.

The impressive Nick Vlastuin missed a set shot that would have put Richmond 25 points up, and the ball was immediately spirited down field where Michael Hurley scrounged a goal at ground level.

Two minutes later Brent Stanton had goaled too, and when Leroy Jetta slipped a Richmond tackle then kicked a supergoal from 55 metres, Essendon had hit the front by a point.

From there the game opened up and Richmond just ran Essendon off its feet.For Richmond, Vlastuin kept knocking up winning hard possessions, Shane Edwards continued 2012's exceptional form, and Stephenson had six first-half clearances.

David Astbury at least broke even with Hurley at centre half back, all of it highly encouraging for a side missing Trent Cotchin, Brett Deledio, Ivan Maric, Reece Conca, Troy Chaplin and Dylan Grimes.

Goddard's super start to his new career in red and black continued, with Dyson Heppell's midfield education continuing apace.

If Zaharakis can make a successful return and Heath Hocking or Jake Melksham can rebound from poor 2012 seasons, Essendon will finally be building some impressive midfield depth.

The revelations yesterday were tall defender Carlisle, staunch on the last line, and last year's pick 73 Nick Kommer.

With a shag of dirty blond hair and a willingness to apply forward pressure, he might just sneak into a Round 1 debut.

FINAL SCORE

Richmond 2.8.20 (86) bt Essendon 1.10.9 (78)

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