<p>For the first time ever, Dreamtime at the G, the centrepiece of the Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round, takes centre stage on Friday night, with Essendon hosting Richmond this year.</p> <p>With the change made to ensure national reach under the new broadcast rights arrangement, the clash is well-timed for the Tigers, at least, who have enjoyed a month's worth of good footy for their young side.&nbsp;</p> <p>They did, however, miss an opportunity last week to completely avoid the wooden spoon, falling narrowly to North Melbourne at the MCG, and with the Eagles breaking their duck out West finally, the race for the spoon is still on between the trio of battlers.</p> <p>Despite the loss, it was another promising display from the Tigers last week, as they held another opposition to under 80 points and continued to show signs of their brand and what they, along with a bunch of the young cubs, are likely to become in the future.&nbsp;</p> <p>A contrasting feeling will prevail across town at the Hangar, where the Bombers are licking their wounds and looking to bounce back quickly after being thrashed by the Bulldogs. It will be interesting to see how they respond, especially against an opposition like the Tigers, who, despite their pre-season projections, should not be taken lightly.&nbsp;</p> <p>Remarkably, they are only one win behind the Bulldogs and could move to 6-4 (having played one less game than everyone due to Cyclone Alfred) and still find themselves in contention for the season. Selection will be intriguing for the Dons, as we await their reaction to the 91-point drubbing.&nbsp;</p> <p>Saad El-Hawli was tactically substituted out at half-time, which suggests he is likely on his way out of the team. Jade Gresham is racing to prove his fitness and would desperately love to be the Dons' sole Indigenous player to take the field for Dreamtime.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Tigers will be without their bookends, with Tom Lynch ruled out due to a delayed concussion and Noah Balta forced to miss because of his curfew. There is still a question mark over veteran Jayden Short after he missed a second consecutive game with a knee injury.&nbsp;</p> <p>Though not a like-for-like replacement, Tyler Sonsie put his hand up for a recall with 36 possessions in the VFL.&nbsp;</p> <p>Dreamtime at the G is always a special occasion. Let’s hope we get a game befitting of the occasion.&nbsp;</p> <p>For the latest team news, analysis, odds, and betting tips, check out our Bombers vs Tigers prediction and preview below.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Essendon vs Richmond Predicted Teams</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Essendon Predicted Team List</h3> <p>B: Andy McGrath, Ben McKay, Archie Roberts</p> <p>HB: Mason Redman, Zach Reid, Jaxon Prior</p> <p>C: Zavier Duursma, Zach Merrett, Archer Day-Wicks</p> <p>HF: Archie Perkins, Nate Caddy, Nic Martin</p> <p>F: Kyle Langford, Peter Wright, Isaac Kako</p> <p>Foll: Todd Goldstein, Sam Durham, Jye Caldwell</p> <p>Int: Will Setterfield, Elijah Tsatas, Jayden Laverde, Dylan Sheil, Ben Hobbs</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Richmond Predicted Team List</h3> <p>B: Nathan Broad, Luke Trainor, Nick Vlastuin</p> <p>HB: Sam Banks, Ben Miller, Tom Brown</p> <p>C: Kamdyn McIntosh, Jack Ross, Hugo Ralphsmith</p> <p>HF: Sam Lalor, Jonty Faull, Seth Campbell</p> <p>F: Steely Green, Jacob Blight, Rhyan Mansell</p> <p>Foll: Toby Nankervis, Tim Taranto, Jacob Hopper</p> <p>Int: Kane McAuliffe, Tom Sims, Thomson Dow, Kaleb Smith, James Trezise</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Essendon vs Richmond Prediction &amp; Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Head-to-Head Prediction</h3> <p>Richmond has enjoyed the better of Essendon in the head-to-head over recent years, winning eight of the past 10 matches. However, Essendon have won the past two meetings.</p> <p>With the exception of the COVID years, all these games are held at the MCG with both clubs being co-tenants.&nbsp;</p> <p>Tigers coach Adem Yze declared a couple of weeks ago that the magic number for the Tigers to win was restricting their opposition to 80 points. While they didn’t quite get over the line against the Roos, they did restrict them to under 80 points. Which is something they would be confident doing with Essendon.</p> <p>The Bombers haven’t surpassed 80 points in a match in the past five weeks, which could give the Tigers a route to victory.&nbsp;</p> <p>For the Tigers to do that though, they’re going to need to find more ball-winners to match the might of Merrett, Caldwell and Durham out of the middle. Ben Miller will get the matchup on Peter Wright in a matchup between the two-metre men, which will mean Nathan Borad and Nick Vlastuin will need to play tall again on Langford and Caddy.</p> <p>It looms as another big battle for the old boy Todd Goldstein, who will get run ragged by the Tigers skipper Toby Nankervis.&nbsp;</p> <p>Essendon should have too much class and experience, but as shown last week, the Bombers are prone to having one of ‘those’ types of games again. Bombers to win but I like Richmond at the line here.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/essendon-v-richmond-9208268">Bombers</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Goal Prediction</h3> <p>Seth Campbell has been a revelation for the Tigers in the front half this year. He’s leading the goalkicking for the Tigers with 17 goals and would be among the discussions as a mid-season All-Australian squad contender.</p> <p>Look for him to spark the Tigers early.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/essendon-v-richmond-9208268">Seth Campbell</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Most Disposals Prediction</h3> <p>Bomber Nic Martin has always found it easy racking up the footy since he arrived at AFL level.&nbsp;</p> <p>Averaging 24.3 disposals per game, Martin has only topped 30 disposals once this year, and curiously, never has against the Tigers.&nbsp;</p> <p>We think that changes this week, with a few headaches for Yze to cover, Martin might get off the chain.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting Tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/essendon-v-richmond-9208268">Nic Martin 30 + disposals</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Yiooken Award Prediction</h3> <p>Since 2006, Every year at Dreamtime at the G, the player deemed best on ground is bestowed with the <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl-yiooken-award">Yiooken Award</a>.&nbsp;</p> <p>Essendon skipper Zach Merrett is the raging favourite here, given his form this year and the make-up of the Tigers team.&nbsp;</p> <p>Merrett has enjoyed playing the Tigers recently. We’re backing him here to add a second Yiooken award to his growing cabinet.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting Tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl-yiooken-award">Zach Merrett</a></p> <p><br /> &nbsp;</p> <h2>Essendon Bombers vs Richmond Tigers Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date:</strong> Friday, May 23rd</p> <p><strong>First Bounce: </strong>7:40 PM, AEST</p> <p><strong>Location:</strong> MCG, Melbourne</p> <p><strong>How to watch: </strong>Channel 7, Fox Footy/ Kayo Sports</p>