Bombers great laments 'crucial' injury blows as Essendon holds off Richmond in Dreamtime game
Essendon's season to date has been defined by a cruel run of injuries to the club's key position stocks, and they added two more to the list on Friday night.
The Bombers, however, escaped with the four points against a tough but inexperienced Richmond side, winning the traditional Dreamtime at the 'G game 81-58.
The Tigers kept pace for the majority of the night, but Essendon pushed away in the fourth term in front of 76,000 fans.
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Kyle Langford's night ends with a quad injury. AFL Photos via Getty Images
Essendon star Kyle Langford was substituted out with a quad injury, while key defender Zach Reid was ruled out with hamstring soreness in the third term, joining multiple key Bomber talls on the sidelines, as Jon Ralph pointed out.
"This is beyond a joke. Essendon's talls are decimated," he told Fox Footy.
"He threw his arm up straight away (Langford). Essendon can't take a trick.
"Brad Scott wouldn't have seen the likes of this."
The Dons are without Sam Draper, Tom Edwards, Nick Bryan, Lewis Hayes, Harrison Jones, Nik Cox, Jordan Ridley and now Langford and Reid from their key position stocks.
Essendon great Matthew Lloyd lamented the mounting injury toll.
"In six days, they have to play again at the Gabba, so it doesn't get any easier. Two crucial injuries. The book ends," Lloyd told 3AW.
"With Reid's history, you'd imagine they'll be conservative. With Langford's injury, you'd imagine he'll miss another month."
Angus Clarke of the Bombers celebrates a goal. Getty
On a more positive note, Essendon debutant Angus Clarke had a big impact on debut, kicking three goals.
"He's been the story of the night with his footy smarts. Every touch of the footy, you can tell he knows how to play the game," Lloyd said.
"His quality of disposal has been elite."
The Tigers had their own injury, with Thomson Dow subbed out with a knee issue, while Sam Lalor had hamstring concerns late as well.
The Bombers travel to take on Brisbane at the Gabba on Thursday night, while Richmond faces GWS at Engie Stadium in round 12.
