Live: Bombers, Tigers ready for marquee game in ‘Dreamtime at the G’

Both sides are being guilty of missing their targets. Some of it may be the pressure, but some of it is lack of execution.

It’s been a bit misty, but we haven’t had any rain at the ‘G.

Whoever adapts and settles here could get the jump.

Richmond is looking solid if unspectacular, while the Bombers are trying to open things up in the early stages.

The Tigers had a chance there, but the chip inside 50 floated just beyond an attacker to land as a mark for a Bombers defender.

Without Lynch, Richmond are going with Jonty Faull and Luke Trainor up forward, which is an interesting (and inexperienced) combination.

We had a bit of a scrappy start, but the Tigers were in control early on. They couldn’t make it count, however.

The Bombers then went downfield and long inside 50 to debutant Angus Clarke, as a roar went up.

However he was caught and tackled by Thomson Dow, and it could well have been a free. But play on was called, and the ball fell for Nic Martin, who waltzed in and kicked the opener!

After that brilliant lead-in, it’s up to the players now. Who will respond? Can the Bombers bounce back after last week’s result, or can the Tigers overcome the loss of key players and stand up in this marquee match? We’re about to find out.

As we get ready for the bounce, we have a novel countdown, provided by Yorta Yorta man and Bombers fan Lachie Hill, who is playing the didgeridoo to mark the final seconds before the start of the match.

We’re ready for the off!

There is a gift exchange between the teams. Essendon’s gift is a Roo skin. With help from Gunai Kurnai artist Ricky Baldwin, the Roo skin has been wood burned and hand-painted with Ochre from Lake Tyers State Park on Krauatungalung Country (Gunai Kurnai). Players Alwyn Davey, Jade Gresham and Jack Peris contributed to the design, which features themes of protection and unity.

The Richmond gift is a traditional Tasmanian firestick. Created by the Mansell family in Tasmania, the firestick represents a continuous thread of ancient knowledge through songlines and story, that spark (partula) into the fire (tylupa).

The highlight of the Dreamtime pre-game for the 10th anniversary of the Sir Doug Nicholls Round.

Essendon players are joined by the Koori Youth Will Shake Spears and Richmond players are joined by Korin Gamadji Laguntas Dancers.

They gather together on the MCG to celebrate cultural traditions in a joint dance ceremony on the field.

The Korin Gamadji Laguntas Dancers perform, moving across towards the Essendon players, then their dance is answered by the Koori Youth Will Shake Spears to the backing of a didgeridoo and clap sticks.

Now both sets of dancers join togetheras the players from both sides join together in a semi-circle.

A huge roar greets the climax of the performance.

What a ceremony!

We couldn’t not have a montage of some of the spectacular, amazing and downright freakish moments provided by Indigenous stars of the game.

Everyone gets a go, from Charlie Cameron to Bobby Hill, to Izak Rankine and on and on.

The players are gathered arm in arm for the ceremony.

From earlier, the duo of Paul Kelly and Briggs paid tribute to the late Archie Roach with their performance of ‘The Children Came Back’.

And now the fireworks go off to greet the Bombers, who run out through the banner.

The Tigers get a solid roar as they run out on the MCG, and the stands are still filling with fans of both teams as “We are from Tigerland” rings out on the PA system, including a decent chorus of “Yellow and Black!” from the gathered Richmond supporters.

• Rd 12, 2024: Essendon by 12 (MCG)

• Rd 10, 2023: Essendon by 1 (MCG)

• Rd 23, 2022: Richmond by 66 (MCG)

• Rd 10, 2022: Richmond by 32 (MCG)

• Rd 12, 2021: Richmond by 39 (Perth Stadium)

• Rd 13, 2020: Richmond by 12 (Darwin)

Form can be a funny thing. The Bombers have won the last two contests between these two teams, and so should go into this game with some confidence. However, prior to those last two outings, the Tigers had won the last 13 matches in a row.

There are many Indigenous music stars on hand at the MCG for Dreamtime at the ‘G.

Briggs and Noter rock out, before Kobie Dee provides a fiery rap performance.

And now rapper Barkaa joins in. The MCG is floodlit in green light with pyro for this part of the performance.

It’s a tough week personnel-wise for the Tigers, who go in to tonight’s game without captain and ruck Toby Nankervis (rested), full-forward Tom Lynch (concussion) and Noah Balta (curfew).

Richmond brings in Campbell Gray, Samson Ryan and Maurice Rioli.

For the Bombers, there are also three changes – Dylan Shiel, Saad El-Hawli and Archer Day-Wicks have been omitted. In come the experienced duo of Matt Guelfi and Jade Gresham, while defender Angus Clarke makes his debut, the sixth for the Bombers this season.

A great montage of the links between Indigenous people and AFL footy, ending “For the entire footy country to call their own”. And so say all of us.

A group of people are introduced, including Stephen Michael, Syd Jackson, and the daughter of Sir Doug Nicholls.

And now Paul Kelly and Briggs join forces on the MCG to sing a song in honour of Indigenous players.

Uncle Colin Hunter Jnr delivers the Welcome to Country, followed by a big cheer from the crowd in an MCG that looks great with all the lights in the stands.

Earlier this evening, the Long Walk to the MCG began from Birrarung Marr, as fans walked in unison along the way to the famous stadium.

The walk, started by Indigenous football great Michael Long in 2004 with a trek from Melbourne to Parliament House in Canberra, has become an opportunity for people from diverse backgrounds to join with Indigenous people and walk together in support for them.

Tonight, hundreds of people took part in the walk, with a group entering the MCG arena an hour and a half before the opening bounce.