The Bombers trailed by 16 points at each of the first two changes, before outscoring the Tigers 12.7 to 3.5 in the second half to win the ''Dreamtime at the G'' clash 19.11 (125) to 12.13 (85) in front of 73,625 spectators.

While it was a dream finish for Essendon, it capped a nightmare week for Richmond and will only build expectations coach Terry Wallace's tenure must end soon.

Tigers captain Chris Newman was able to put his emotions aside to lead the way with his attack on the ball as Richmond burst to an early lead.

But after the Bombers surged back after half-time to take a two-goal lead at the last change, Richmond's fighting spirit evaporated.

Jason Winderlich and Andrew Lovett gave the Bombers plenty of run throughout the night, Winderlich winning the award for best on ground.

Their influence grew more telling as the game wore on, both scoring running goals as Essendon skipped away early in the final term.

Midfield ball-winners Jobe Watson and Brent Stanton were both important contributors in the fightback, after Richmond had dominated in the packs in the first half.

Watson was well beaten by Tigers 100-gamer Shane Tuck before half-time, with the ball-winning exploits of Tuck and Nathan Foley helping the Tigers to 51 more possessions than the Bombers in the first half.

Richmond's small attacking set-up reaped the rewards, with Nathan Brown playing superbly, along with Mitch Morton and Kayne Pettifer.

But, after Stanton and Watson managed just 16 touches between them in the first half, they added 17 in the third quarter to regularly send the ball heading the Bombers' way.

The steady supply was made to count fully on the scoreboard, with four goals in time-on in the third quarter, including two in just more than a minute to Matthew Lloyd.

Four more Bomber goals early in the last term made it an 8.3 to 0.1 burst which turned a 13-point deficit into a commanding 37-point lead.

On a night celebrating indigenous talent, Essendon's Nathan Lovett-Murray and Patrick Ryder provided moments for the highlight reels.

Lovett-Murray took a screamer deep in the third quarter, while Ryder took an even more spectacular mark to set up a goal in the last term.

Lovett-Murray's night could be soured, though, as he is likely to face scrutiny for a late bump which connected with Kayne Pettifer's face.

Richmond's Mark Coughlan might also be in trouble for a front-on clash with Winderlich.

AAP