AFL LIVE: Injury carnage hits shell-shocked Essendon in crunch Dreamtime clash with Tigers at the MCG

Jayden Short threatened to kick a running goal earlier and missed but he didn’t miss the mark on his second go.

His teammates mobbed him, he’s a very popular team member.

Just before the goal, young Tiger Jasper Alger tried to run past multiple Bombers which he couldn’t do but he managed to stay clear of them before passing to Short for the goal.

Tom Lynch has earned a free kick on the lead following the restart - but Lynch pulled his shot.

Tigers 56, Dons 34 with 17 mins to go in Q3.

“No mercy. Score and score early,” Garry Lyon said on Kayo Sports when describing his instructions to Richmond.

The Dons are down to two players on the bench. Let’s see which side can snatch control of this match.

The second half is underway.

The Bombers steadied in that quarter to keep the margin at 15 points – the same deficit as quarter time. They did this by being more competitive at clearance.

Richmond’s pressure also dropped, allowing the Bombers a few clean entries inside 50. Darcy Parish and Zach Merrett lead the way with 17 disposals each, but the former’s ball handling has been fumbly.

Ben McKay has put in an improved performance, keeping Tom Lynch to just the one goal while joining in on Essendon’s offence, which was something he was reluctant to do just before he was dropped.

Archer May’s late goal in that second term showed the Bombers aren’t completely done with yet, but the plucky young Tigers look the stronger, and clearly fitter, team heading into the second half.

Jye Caldwell is back on the ground for the Dons, despite being clearly injured. It’s just so the Bombers can have a second rotation off the bench.

Meanwhile, Andrew McGrath (jaw) and Jonty Faull (concussion) are both out for the game.

“The excuse is there if Essendon want to use it, but the reality is that Richmond were in front before those injuries happened. It’s going to be an interesting second half to come,” Lyon said on Kayo Sports.

The Tigers have forced the ball forward and when the ball leaked out past the pack, Lefau was first to get to it.

He took a little soccer dribble, saw the Dons would get to him so he slotted it home.

The Dons players look like half-time couldn’t come soon enough.

Jye Caldwell is back on the ground according to Kayo Sports, but clearly isn’t anywhere near 100 per cent.

Tigers 49, Dons 27 with three mins to go in Q2.

Eddie Betts from Kayo Sports just reported from boundary-side that Andrew McGrath is being treated for a suspected broken jaw, while Essendon players are coming to the bench for their rotations but are having to stay on the ground.

Those tired players will be beaten eventually.

Tom Lynch’s goal has pushed the lead back to 16 points.

Tigers 42, Dons 27 with four mins to go in Q2.

Andy McGrath took a fearsome, accidental elbow to the jaw and has left the ground looking in serious discomfort.

No word if he needs a concussion test as well, but right now he looks concerned about whether he’s broken his jaw or something around his mouth.

Jye Caldwell went off with an issue a few minutes before, and there is no word on either player yet.

Jonty Faull has also come off for Richmond after appearing to take a high knock. He appears to be taking a concussion test so should be off for at least 15 minutes.

Tigers 37, Dons 21 with eight mins to go in Q2.

Zach Merrett has got his hands on the footy and made a difference, first steadying the team on the wing, and then getting the ball a few moments later on the 50-metre arc. He looked up, saw an open goal and booted the Sherrin straight through.

The Dons needed that. Big-time.

Tigers 36, Dons 20 with 13 mins to go in Q2.

Garry Lyon hasn’t minced words about his assessment of how far behind the Bombers are tonight.

Jack Ross kicked a booming goal to push the lead past 21 points and the undermanned Dons caught the ire of Lyon.

“This is a Richmond team who battle to get their full compliment of players out onto the deck and they are giving it to Essendon,” Lyon said on Kayo Sports.

“They are out-working them. They are playing modern footy while the Bombers are reactive and on the back foot.”

Tigers 36, Dons 14 with 16 mins to go in Q2.