BIG MCG CROWD TIPPED AS DREAMTIME GAME RETURNS

THE AFL is budgeting for a crowd of more than 70,000 for the much-anticipated return of Dreamtime at the ‘G on Saturday night.

The annual clash was played outside Melbourne for the first time in the past two seasons – in Darwin then Perth – because of the pandemic, but Richmond and Essendon will lock horns at the MCG this weekend.

Maurice Rioli Jr is set to play his first Dreamtime game and sixth AFL match overall after impressing in a new-look Tigers forward line in recent weeks.

“It’s a very big game for all Indigenous players and you get to represent all your family from back home and your culture,” Rioli said.

“Hopefully, I get to kick a goal to do a celebration or dance, or something like that. I wanted to play in it ever since the round came into the AFL.”

The 19-year-old’s nephew Daniel Rioli has been one of Richmond’s most consistent players this season in a new defensive role and he said they would relish the opportunity to compete on this stage together.

“Playing on a big ground with a family member and a few of the other Indigenous this season.

Wanganeen’s Brownlow Medal-winning father Gavin, played 127 of his 300 matches for Essendon and was still in the competition when the Dreamtime concept started in 2005 but was at Port Adelaide by then.

Tex, 18, has a nervous wait ahead to find out if he will be recalled by the Bombers for the contest.

Picture: Michael Klein Essendon’s Tex Wanganeen and the Tigers’ Maurice Rioli are desperate to play in the Dreamtime at the ‘G match.

players alongside would be awesome,” he said. Another son of a gun, Essendon’s Tex Wanganeen, hopes to run out for the Bombers on Saturday after playing three games