Cricket
Racing
Rugby
League
Motorsport
Football
Golf
Combat Sports
Basketball
Tennis
Other Sports
Sport Nation
Can the Dons and Tigers be winners despite losing?
Jaiden Sciberras • June 2nd, 2025 7:45 pm
Can you lose and really be the winner?
That was the question put to Nathan Buckley following a weekend full of near-misses and commendable performances from a number of young sides.
Both Essendon and Richmond came agonisingly close to claiming major scalps in Round 12, playing top level football throughout their respective contests with Brisbane and GWS, however falling short in the closing stages.
The West Coast Eagles also powered against the Cats at home, coming within a kick in the final term before Geelong put the foot down to kill the game.
Although each of the three sides walked away with nothing to show on the ladder front, the players, coaching staff and fans will certainly move forward with an added sense of hope that their sides can compete with the competition’s best.
Referencing Essendon’s three-goal loss to Brisbane and Richmond’s agonising three-point loss to the Giants, Buckley answered the question with relative ease.
“Well, yeah,” Buckley told SEN’s Whateley.
“I think they would both be really happy with their performances.
“I thought Essendon, their third quarter to be able to maintain the rage and come back and challenge the premier on their dung heap, I thought was excellent.
“We saw (Nate) Caddy express himself fully, Nic Martin is just a gun, I think he’s rivalling Zach Merrett as Essendon’s best player.
“They did it having a crack, playing with energy, playing with verve and attacking the game.”
Despite falling three goals short of the Lions, Essendon’s performance in Brisbane certainly delivered an array of positives for the young side.
Fielding a side with an average age of just 24.5 years old against the reigning premiers up north, the Bombers took the lead as late as the seven-minute mark of the final term before falling short late in the contest.
Naming four players in their debut seasons, with an extensive injury list, Essendon put on a very strong display despite the loss.
Further south, the Tigers took on the Giants with returning experience in Dion Prestia, Tom Lynch and Toby Nankervis.
The Tigers should have walked away with an incredible scalp over the Giants, leading for almost 90 per cent of the contest before being mowed down extremely late on.
A five-goal-to-none final term wrapped up the game for GWS, however the Tigers' early dominance will leave fans and players with a wealth of confidence.
“Richmond, how good has some of their football been,” Buckley continued.
“If I’m a Richmond supporter, I’m getting much more than I expected. Some of their young players that have got no right…
“If they had any depth or substance at all up top, they probably wouldn’t be playing for another 18 months, they’re throwing them in and they’re having a crack.
“I think Adem Yze and his staff, and the club itself deserves a bit of credit for what we’re seeing.”
Despite failing to return home with the four points, both Essendon and the Tigers will head back to Melbourne with an influx of confidence.
Richmond are set to open Saturday’s Round 13 fixtures with a clash against the Swans at the MCG, while the Bombers close out Sunday night against the Blues.
