A dying-seconds Sam Durham goal saw Essendon steal the win, and break a 13-game losing streak to Richmond, in a Dreamtime at the 'G epic on Saturday.
In front of 78,000 in the MCG stands, the high-transition, end-to-end contest finished 10.11 (71) to 10.10 (70) after the Bombers trailed by as much as three goals early in the final term.
The instant classic is one Alwyn Davey Jr said he'll never forget.
The young forward, whose dad played for the Bombers between 2007-2013, and joined the club alongside his brother Jayden in last year's draft, said it was an "unreal" night.
"First Dreamtime and it's definitely something I'm gonna remember," he told National Indigenous Times after the match.
Davey continued on with his habit of slotting a major in big games at the 'G.
He said his right-foot snap from the pocket "was a bit cheeky" but was glad his side "got the choccies" after the Tigers looked to have sealed the win
In his first Dreamtime clash, Alwyn Davey Jnr 👏#AFLDonsTigers | #AFLDeadly pic.twitter.com/u1AXBfq4VY
— AFL (@AFL) May 20, 2023
The game is the centrepiece of the AFL's celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture in Sir Doug Nicholls round.
It was a 'big week' for Davey, who along with his Indigenous teammates engaged in a "journey" educating the playing group on culture.
Ahead of the clash, former Essendon great Michael Long's 'The Long Walk', a continuation of his 2004 walk from Canberra half way to Melbourne to raise awareness around the lives of Indigenous people, made its way into the ground.
His first journey halted midway after then-Prime Minister John Howard agreed to meet with Long.
The tradition carries on to advocate for Reconciliation from Alexandra Gardens to the MCG.
Fred Leone, the Djirri Djirri dancers and Mo'Ju, provided the pre-match entertainment before Long joined Radical Son, the Archie Roach Band, Mo'Ju and former Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy to perform 'Colour of Your Jumper' on stage at halftime.
'Colour of your Jumper', featuring Michael Long, Kevin Sheedy and the Archie Road Band.#AFLDonsTigers | #AFLDeadly pic.twitter.com/d4W3iGA03y
— AFL (@AFL) May 20, 2023
Palawa man Rhyan Mansell kicked the opener for the Tigers, adding a second later in the game, and had the chance to put Richmond two goals ahead late in the piece.
The romance wasn't to be, but only set up what became an all-time finish.
With 14 touches at halftime, Shai Bolton looked every chance to win the Yiooken Medal, eventually won by Essendon captain Zach Merrett with an influential 39 touch, seven tackle display.
Bolton's third quarter dribble-goal from the pocket brought the house down.
Stop it Shai 😍 #AFLDonsTigers | #AFLDeadly pic.twitter.com/5aSDpzhpWb
— AFL (@AFL) May 20, 2023
"(He) had no right to kick it," Hamish McLachlan said on Fox Footy's coverage.
"He makes the impossible look ridiculously easy"
Port Adelaide and Hawthorn champion Shaun Burgoyne, the first Indigenous man to play 400 games, said he "loved every bit of it" on the grand stage.
Bolton became the 100th Indigenous player to reach 100 career games in the match.
In his first Dreamtime back from retirement, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti was metres away from being the hero.
In the dying stages, Essendon needing the goal eventually kicked by Durham, a long kick into the Bombers' front fifty fell just short of a diving Tippa.
A mark would have given him a set-shot to win the game.
McDonald-Tipungwuti said he was "a bit nervous" coming into the game after he hung up the boots this time last year, before rejoining the side ahead of the 2023 season.
"Last year I thought it was the last day I say goodbye to the game but coming back and playing and getting the win - it's just a different feeling I think from from last year," he told National Indigenous Times post-match.
"I really enjoyed the win."
