Bombers, Tigers draw to complicate AFLW finals scenario

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********, Tigers draw to complicate AFLW finals scenario

Essendon and Richmond have drawn the inaugural Dreamtime in Darwin AFLW clash, adding extra drama to their finals hopes.

With seconds left, Richmond’s Caitlin Greiser had a shot at goal and the ******** were able to avoid a score, leaving the banner Indigenous round game tied at 6.6 (42) apiece.

The pulsating duel ended in high drama.

With less than three minutes remaining, Richmond’s Sarah Hosking was forced off with a hamstring injury.

Then Steph Wales’ right knee buckled in a ruck contest and the Essendon player was stretchered from the field.

“I don’t know what to feel … at least we take away two points,” said ******** co-captain Bonnie Toogood, who kicked two goals.

The draw leaves Richmond sixth with one game left and could end their hopes of a top-four finish, with fourth-placed Brisbane half a game ahead of them and playing Sydney on Sunday.

Essendon remain vulnerable in eighth spot, half a game ahead of Melbourne. The ********’ last-round opponents are Carlton, who would love nothing more than to derail their arch-rivals’ season.

Midfielders Georgia Nanscawen and Maddie Prespakis starred for Essendon, while Tigers star Eileesh Sheerin was best afield.

In her 50th game, Essendon’s Daria Bannister won a free kick with less than four minutes left, but sprayed her shot at goal for a behind.

Then Richmond captain Katie Brennan scrambled a point with less than two minutes left to tie the scores.

Conditions were typical of the Top End – hot and humid, with extra measures such as mist fans and cool rooms in place for the players.

Brennan had been in doubt after she suffered an ankle injury last week in the loss to Melbourne.

But the Tigers captain was outstanding on Saturday, kicking her team’s two first-quarter goals and dishing off another at the start of the second.

Richmond led by 13 points in the second quarter, with the ******** falling down in ******* and the Tigers excellent on turnover.

Georgia Gee and Toogood then combined superbly twice late in the half, with Toogood kicking one goal and Wales another to tie the scores.

It was a big comeback from the ********, who led the clearances 17-8 and the inside-50s 23-13 at the main break.

Essendon threatened to kick clear with two goals in the third term and opened up an 11-point lead.

Tigers star Mon Conti took an excellent contested mark and goaled from an acute angle to keep her team within six points at the last change, setting up a frenetic final quarter.

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