1. Dempsey dumps Deledio
There were serious concerns for the wellbeing of Richmond champion Brett Deledio when he was hurled to the ground, landing on the back of his neck in a vicious sling tackle from Courtenay Dempsey that is certain to come under heavy scrutiny from the Match Review Panel. The incident – which took place when the result was beyond doubt late in the last quarter – sparked a melee as the Tigers rushed to show their disapproval. Deledio lay prostrate before getting to his feet, pushing away trainers and leaving the field of his own volition. He didn't return.

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2. Bombers blood Irishman
Essendon's Irish debutant Conor McKenna had an eventful opening five minutes in AFL football. The 19-year-old's initiation began before the first bounce as several Tigers bumped into him. But it wasn't long before the former Gaelic footballer from Tyrone in Northern Ireland joined the club of players who have scored a goal with their first kick. In cold, wet conditions he would be well accustomed to, McKenna received a pass from big man Shaun McKernan and the little No. 45 – who earned his promotion after kicking 18 goals in 15 VFL games this season – used his pace to scoot into an open goal. He was then mobbed for a second time … by his own teammates. McKenna had four touches before being handed the red vest at three-quarter-time.

3. Chappy's final fling
It wasn't the kind of result Paul Chapman had hoped for in his 280th and final AFL appearance, but the 33-year-old still managed to give a reasonable account of himself given injury had sidelined him since round 11. He was unlucky to give away a 50-metre penalty late in the first term, resulting in Richmond's first goal, but got involved with the type of tenacity that has been a feature of the career of one of the great forward/midfielders. At one point the veteran had to chase Brett Deledio 60 metres down the wing. He won't miss that.

SHOWREEL: Chappy's final fling

4. McIntosh's super soccer skills
On a rain-soaked MCG, sinking the slipper was the order of the night – and Richmond midfielder Kamdyn McIntosh did it four times in the same passage of play … with stunning results. Four minutes into the third term, with the Tigers leading by four points, McIntosh toe-poked the ball off the ground several times in front of himself – with either foot if-ya-don't-mind – to tease a chasing Brent Stanton, before hoofing a right-footer off the deck onto the chest of an unattended Dustin Martin, who casually goaled. Ten minutes later, Bomber speedster Dempsey slipped while running into an open goal, but managed to convert while lying down.

5. Ty's timely ton
Richmond's much-maligned key forward Ty Vickery celebrated his 100th game in career-best form after bagging 10.0 in his previous two games. It was always going to be hard going for marking players in inclement conditions at the MCG, and Vickery didn't get his first possession until seven minutes into the second term. But he made the most of it, goaling on the run from 40 metres to put the Tigers in front for the first time. Two minutes later he slotted another, this time from a 40-metre set shot. That gave him 14 goals without a miss. Nearing half-time, after Essendon had responded with three successive goals, he passed to Brett Deledio on the lead, resulting in another major that regained the lead for Richmond. Each of Vickery's first three kicks directly resulted in goals. At the other end, Cale Hooker (three goals) and Alex Rance waged an engaging duel with Hooker taking the honours.