Get out of the way, the Tiggie train is coming. Richmond will look to build on their best start since 1995 when they meet Collingwood in an early-season blockbuster at the MCG. We’ll have live scores and commentary from 2.10pm AEST.
How much more room is there on the Richmond bandwagon?
After three solid wins over Carlton, St Kilda and Western Bulldogs the Tigers look to be finally making the step up to be a top eight side.
While they’ve been impressive in those matches, none of their opponents so far are likely to play finals, so this afternoon should prove a far more challenging test for Damien Hardwick’s men.
They’ve been installed as favourites against a Collingwood side who were demolished to the tune of 55 points last Sunday against Hawthorn.
To be fair to the Pies they are missing a host of their keys including Jolly, Ball, Beams and Maxwell but coach Nathan Buckley simply will not tolerate a repeat of last Sunday against the Tigers.
Collingwood haven’t lost to Richmond since Round 19, 2007 and have beaten this afternoon’s opponents by an average of 62 points in their last five encounters – but this isn’t the same Richmond side of the past few seasons.
Understandably, the Tiger Army will still head to the MCG this afternoon with a degree of unease after so, so many false dawns over recent decades.
But if the Tigers are finally to experience Melbourne in September they must stand up against a side that have delighted in ragdolling them year after year.
It’s match of the round, and a crowd well over 60,000 is expected. Join us from 2.10pm AEST as we cover all the action from the MCG.
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
Well, they do. Bigger than most. Perhaps not as huge as say, Port Adelaide. But quite sizable nevertheless.
Brendon
Guest
Not every team has the capacity to choke like the Tigers, how this mob still have a supporter base is beyond me!
Greg G
Guest
Why do I even waste my time even believing that Richmond will ever become a real AFL team again. Wasted years, one pathetic effort after . They send me emails about becoming a member, why would I waste my money on a team that is going no where fast. If they want my money prove to me, and others, that they deserve it.
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
Well well indeed. That's all we are realistically hoping for anyway Pedro. Ie. 6-8th spot. All hopes are dashed now. Same goes for Sydney, as they couldn't keep up with Geelong. Fremantle too, are stuffed. And so on, and so forth for any team who can't win every match they play!
Brendon
Guest
Richmond are a joke and Cotchin is dead set the most over rated player in the AFL. He's a seagull
Pedro
Guest
Well Well The first top four side the Mighty Tigers come up against they show there true colors. They have played no one of any note as yet and as usual will be making up the numbers trying to get in to the 6-8 spots Pedro
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
Got a way to go yet by the sound of that. Just glad it wasn't an absolute blow out.
Chad Bennett
Editor
Well, the Richmond bandwagon can slow down for the next six days before they head to Patersons Stadium to face Fremantle, who received their own hiding this afternoon. The Tigers weren't up to it today. Collingwood get a five-day turnaround and will meet Essendon on ANZAC Day on Thursday. Looks a classic in the making. That it's from the MCG this afternoon, another very intriguing game of footy. Thanks for following along, enjoy the rest of your weekends!
Chad Bennett
Editor
GOALS Collingwood: Cloke 7, Sidebottom 4, O'Brien, Swan, Elliott, Dwyer, Clarke Richmond: Riewoldt 3, Vickery 2, McGuane 2, Maric, Edwards, King, Houli DISPOSALS Collingwood: Swan 35, Pendlebury 27, Sidebottom 21 Richmond: Cotchin 27, Deledio 25, Houli 23
Chad Bennett
Editor
FULL TIME Collingwood 16.17.113 has defeated Richmond 11.13.79 Richmond went into half time with a three-point lead after what seemed a scrappy first half with Collingwood guilty of poor disposal efficiency. They exploded in the second half, primarily through Travis Cloke but with help from Swan in the middle and Elliott up forward, kicking 8.4 to 2.1 in the third team to put the game to bed. Cloke finished up with 7.2 and Dane Swan had 35 touches and a goal in his 200th game for Collingwood. Richmond just weren't there today and the air is well and truly out of their tyres after a much-hyped 3-0 start.
Chad Bennett
Editor
Q4 – 0:46 Richmond 11.13.79 – Collingwood 16.17.113 McGuane gets one back for Richmond before Dwyer goes up the other end and kicks another one for the Pies after Elliott made a contest from Sidebottom's kick. Simply too good this afternoon the Pies.
1860melbourne
Guest
And that my friends is why Richmond is soooooooo over rated.
Chad Bennett
Editor
Q4 – 2:45 Richmond 10.13.73 – Collingwood 15.17.107 Elliott has the chance to kick a celebratory goal and can't do so, Richmond go up the other end but can only manage a behind themselves.
Chad Bennett
Editor
Q4 – 4:24 Richmond 10.12.72 – Collingwood 15.16.106 Grigg looks to have trickled the ball for a goal, under review at the moment. Not paid? Jeez. Looked over before Harry O'Brien got his toe onto it. As Dunstall and Huddo are saying on Fox, why even bother when the decision isn't right.
Chad Bennett
Editor
Q4 – 5:42 Richmond 10.10.70 – Collingwood 15.16.106 Collingwood go long toward Cloke near the boundary, 40m out and Rance goes straight through the back of him. Cloke lines up for the free from the boundary line and a group of Richmond fans are absolutely giving it to him. He promptly kicks a long, strong goal from 50m out and turns and gives some back! Superb seventh for Cloke. Two of the Tiger fans turn on their heel and head for the exit.
Chad Bennett
Editor
Q4 – 6:30 Richmond 10.10.70 – Collingwood 14.16.100 Collingwood playing a game of keepings-off here for the last 45 seconds or so. Richmond fans are booing but their frustration should be directed at their team, who need to go man-to-man and win the ball back. Time's ticking!
Chad Bennett
Editor
Q4 – 8:00 Richmond 10.10.70 – Collingwood 14.16.100 Cloke gets front position on Rance, marks and lines up for his seventh. From 20m out on a tight angle...hooks it badly. Margin is an even five goals.
Chad Bennett
Editor
Q4 – 9:16 Richmond 10.10.70 – Collingwood 14.14.98 Chance for Deledio from the edge of the 50, just offline. Meanwhile Jake King limps off very gingerly, looks to be possibly a glute injury?
Chad Bennett
Editor
Q4 – 10:30 Richmond 10.9.69 – Collingwood 14.13.97 Ball-up just outside the Richmond 50. Collingwood win the clearance, Grimes marks and hands off to Houli..turnover. Haven't helped themsevles at all in this last quarter.
Chad Bennett
Editor
Q4 – 11:55 Richmond 10.9.69 – Collingwood 14.13.97 That halts the Tiger Train. Sidebottom flicks the handpass off to Toovey 60m out on the wing and he bombs long to find Swan, who kicks easily from 10m out. 29 disposals and two goals this afternoon for Swan, huge afternoon for him.