Depleted Tigers still dangerous

AFL: Essendon skipper Dyson Heppell says even an understrength Richmond remain a formidable opponent.

Tigers skipper Trent Cotchin (hamstring), David Astbury (achilles) and Dion Prestia (hamstring) are all battling soreness and will miss tonight’s clash against the Bombers.

Heppell – who is set to play his 150th AFL game – says the reigning premiers, two wins and percentage clear on top of the table with two rounds remaining, remain a formidable opponent.

“They’ve got amazing consistency right throughout that side,” Heppell said.

“To test yourselves against the best side, who have been super this year, is what you want.”

Essendon, meanwhile, expect key trio Cale Hooker, Brendon Goddard and Adam Saad to be available. Saad trained with the main group yesterday, six days after being concussed by a high bump from St Kilda’s Nathan Brown.

Hooker and Goddard (knee) were absent but are tipped to line up, with the 11th-placed Bombers still a chance to sneak into the top eight.

Essendon must post big wins in their remaining two games and have other results fall their way to stand a chance of making the top eight.

The Bombers have won nine of their past 12 games after a poor start to the year and Heppell can see plenty of positives, even if they fall short of finals.

“It was a disappointing start to the season but I feel we’ve got a hell of a lot to gain from the remainder of the year,” he said.

“We’ve found our game style and what really stacks up against the best sides. We’ve got a bunch of guys that are willing to play their role.”