Overview

• Richmond secured a 6.10 (46) to 4.13 (37) victory over Essendon thanks to Jacob Hopper’s clutch goal midway through the final quarter.
• Neither team managed a goal in the second and third quarters, a drought that saw the contest widely criticised as the season’s lowest-quality match.
• Essendon midfielder Nic Martin was subbed off with a knee injury after a forceful bump from Rhyan Mansell, with scans yet to rule out an ACL tear.
• The Bombers have blooded 12 debutants and lost six players to long-term injuries this season, prompting an internal review of their medical and conditioning programs.
• Supporters and pundits derided the game as the “worst game of footy,” underscoring frustration over sloppy execution from both rebuilding teams.