Richmond’s superior pressure and ball movement propelled them to a 45-point win on Friday afternoon in an AFL practice match against Essendon.

In a rare senior game at their Punt Rd home, the Tigers led at every change and won easily 15.11 (101) to 8.8 (56).

While the Tigers have to be a week ahead in their preparations for round one, Essendon will be concerned about a forward line that never fired during the match.

Bombers key forward Jake Carlisle could also be in trouble for a second-term incident that involved Richmond defender Steve Morris.

Essendon midfielder David Zaharakis limped off in the last term after a collision.

Matt Thomas and Brett Deledio impressed through the midfield for the Tigers, while key defenders David Astbury and Alex Rance were very solid.

Key forward Jack Riewoldt played his first game this year and kicked two goals.

The Tigers start their season away against the Suns on Saturday week.

Essendon’s round-one match is on Friday, March 21 against North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium.

Elsewhere, former North Melbourne ruckman Hamish McIntosh showed plenty of dash against his former side but the Kangaroos held on for a nine-point win over Geelong at Simonds Stadium.

The 203cm McIntosh kicked a lovely goal on the run and had 14 possessions and 15 hitouts to suggest he’ll be a solid contributor after failing to make his debut for his new club last year because of a serious knee injury.

North kicked two goals to Geelong’s one in a tight final term to claim victory 11.10 (76) to 10.7 (67) in front of just under 5000 fans.

Tom Hawkins kicked three goals for Geelong while Sam Wright, Brad McKenzie and Drew Petrie booted two each for the Kangaroos.

Ben Cunnington and Jack Ziebell were among North’s winners in midfield while Steve Johnson showed flashes of magic for the Cats and Mathew Stokes and Josh Caddy were also influential.

North coach Brad Scott and his twin brother Chris, the Geelong mentor, had a discussion at three-quarter time and the game was ended less than 21 minutes into the final term with both sides seemingly happy with the hitout.

Meanwhile, the Western Bulldogs defeated Carlton by 17 points at Visy Park in their final practice match before the start of the season.

In an entertaining final hitout, the Bulldogs ran out comfortable winners, 12.11 (83) to 9.12 (66).

A six-goal opening quarter by the Dogs had them in control early. They played a tall forward line with Tom Campbell and Ayce Cordy up front throughout the game and they had the polish of Daniel Giansiracusa and Adam Cooney, who both ended the match with three goals, to finish off.

After missing all but three games last year because of a broken navicular bone in his left foot, classy Bulldog Shaun Higgins continued his comeback with an outstanding effort.

He played most of the match on the half-back flank often pushing into the forward line. He moved well all game and ended with a game-high 33 possessions.

The Blues were slow to start the match. They held back Matthew Kreuzer and Dale Thomas until the second quarter, as both teams looked to rotate players through the action without putting anyone in danger of injury.

When Brock McLean took a knock to the leg in the first quarter, he was taken from the field and did not play again, protecting him for next week’s first-round clash with Port Adelaide.

And Adelaide suffered a few potential injury worries as they beat Greater Western Sydney by eight points in a practice match at Blacktown.

The Giants led by 17 early on but Adelaide took control from the second quarter on their way to a 12.10 (82) to 11.8 (74) win.

They led by 21 and 27 at the end of the second and third quarters respectively before a late Giants rally.

Adelaide finished with just one man on the bench as a number of players left the ground.

Tom Lynch appeared to have the most worrying injury with a dislocated shoulder.

Richard Douglas (groin), Andy Otten (knee) and Sam Shaw (hamstring) were also hurt, while Matt Crouch was a late withdrawal through illness.

Giants spearhead Jeremy Cameron suffered an ankle injury.