Optus Stadium will play host to Saturday's Round 12 AFL game between Essendon Bombers and Richmond Tigers. The game kicks off at 7:40 pm with Richmond Tigers heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Essendon Bombers vs. Richmond Tigers game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Saturday June 5, 2021 at 7:40 pm
Where: Optus Stadium
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
Essendon Bombers vs Richmond Tigers Odds
Essendon Bombers vs Richmond Tigers Preview
For the second year in a row the Dream Time game will not be held at the MCG and instead heads west to Optus Stadium.
Many are asking whether the penny has finally dropped with Essendon after one their best wins in recent memory against West Coast in Perth on the weekend but I, like many, remain gun shy with such an inconsistent team.
Richmond have not been at their scintillating best so far this season and their hopes of finishing in the top four are diminishing week by week.
There were some positives out of their blue collar win over Adelaide at the weekend though, unearthing a giant (literally) in Callum Coleman-Jones in the absence of injured forward Tom Lynch as the 200cm forward booted four goals.
With the AFL entering another tough period when games are being rescheduled and played at neutral grounds on a moment’s notice, the fact that Essendon are already established in Perth and will not need to travel will play a part in this game.
They can use their win against the Eagles as a real launching pad for the rest of the season and I wouldn’t be surprised if they can give this a real shake.
Content provided by Ladbrokes
Head To Head Bet
We're tipping Richmond Tigers to win at $1.49 odds.
First Goal Scorer
First Goal Scorer: Jack Riewoldt at $8.00.
Essendon Bombers vs Richmond Tigers Teams
BOMBERS
B: Laverde, Francis, Ridley
HB: Heppell, Stewart, Hind
C: McGrath, Merrett, Cox
HF: Perkins, Stringer, Jones
F: Waterman, Hooker, McDonald-Tipungwuti
FOLL: Phillips, Parish, Langford
I/C: Redman, Guelfi, Waterman, Ham
EMG: Zerk-Thatcher, Ambrose, Cahill, Bryan
In: – A.Francis
Out: – B.Zerk-Thatcher (Omitted), W.Snelling (Injured)
TIGERS
B: Vlastuin, Balta, Grimes
HB: Short, Broad, Houli
C: McIntosh, Cotchin, Caddy
HF: Aarts, Edwards, Graham
F: Coleman-Jones, Martin, Riewoldt
FOLL: Chol, Bolton, Prestia
I/C: Baker, Pickett. Collier-Dawkins, Castgana
EMER: Rioli, Ryan, Ralphsmith, Miller
In: – S.Edwards, M.Pickett
Out: – T.Nankervis (Injured), H.Ralphsmith (Omitted), D.Rioli (Medi-Sub)