A lot of pride is on the line as the Richmond Tigers host the Collingwood Magpies on a Friday night at the MCG. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:50pm (AEST).
It’s been a season to forget for Richmond, but the last fortnight has proven particularly unforgettable.
Their shaky win against Essendon beforehand should have raised a red flag, but the footy world looked on in horror at the Tigers copped a 70-point flogging from Hawthorn and an 88-point shellacking from Greater Western Sydney in successive weeks.
With Geelong, St Kilda and Sydney to close out the year, there’s every chance the club finishes 2016 on a six-game slide.
Damien Hardwick is coaching for his job.
Collingwood, on the other hand, have made good progress since their horror start to the season.
A wretched first two months saw them crash out of finals contention early and lump enormous pressure on coach Nathan Buckley, but the club have turned it around of late.
Wins against Fremantle, Carlton, GWS and West Coast – with a gallant loss to Adelaide thrown in – make a very impressive run of form since they hit the bye 4-8.
With the injury-plagued Bulldogs and Suns to follow, the Magpies are a real chance of finishing the season on 11 wins.
The Tigers’ recent record against the Pies is appalling, dropping ten of the past 12 contests between these sides. Earlier this year it was a capitulation, with the Tigers conceding three goals in the last five minutes of the game to lose by one point in unthinkable fashion.
Prediction
A catastrophic fortnight should have the Richmond boys fired up for this clash against their arch-enemy.
But while passion counts for something, form counts for more. Collingwood have won four of six since the bye, and their late-season renaissance should continue tonight.
Magpies by 25 points
Stirling Coates
Editor
RICHMOND v COLLINGWOOD THE ROAR AFL MVP VOTES 3 VOTES - Shaun Grigg (RCH) - Was switched on for the whole game, finishing with 26 disposals, six tackles, five inside 50s, a goal and a game-high 14 marks. 2 VOTES - Dustin Martin (RCH) - Turned it on after a quiet first quarter, racking up touches, seven clearances and a goal. 1 VOTE - Oleg Markov (RCH) - The young defender starred on the big stage, amassing 26 disposals, 12 marks and a game-high 10 rebound 50s.
Stirling Coates
Editor
RICHMOND v COLLINGWOOD FULL TIME REPORT Richmond - 14.8 (92) Collingwood - 11.11 (77) GOAL KICKERS Tigers: Riewoldt 4, Vickery 2, Moore, Marcon, Grigg, Drummond, Martin, Rioli, Ellis Lloyd Magpies: Cox 2, Aish 2, Adams, Cloke, Crocker, Varcoe, Willis, Pendlebury, White DISPOSAL LEADERS Tigers: Martin 34, Houli 30, Cotchin 28 Magpies: Crisp 25, Adams 25, Treloar 24 TEAM STATS Disposals: Tigers 425, Magpies 329 Contested Possessions: Tigers 127, Magpies 117 Tackles: Magpies 71, Tigers 52 Inside 50s: Magpies 48, Tigers 39 Clearances: Magpies 38, Tigers 27
Stirling Coates
Editor
SIREN Collingwood challenged in that last quarter and did get in front, but Richmond were able respond to the challenge. After a fortnight from hell, the Tigers get to sing the song against a bitter rival. RCH - 14.8 (92) COL - 11.11 (77) FULL TIME
Stirling Coates
Editor
Collingwood not going to die wondering, but Richmond have been up to the task in the dying stages. First crowd of under 50,000 for these two sides since 2007. RCH - 14.8 (92) COL - 11.11 (77) Q4: 1'
Freo As
Guest
"Martyn brilliant " Dennis?
Bobbo7
Guest
For mine this just shows what is wrong with Richmond. Get thumped, threats to sack coach and suddenly they decide to turn up the next week. They're soft and only turn up with intent when flogged in the media.
Stirling Coates
Editor
1:40 now for Collingwood to kick three goals. They've got a stoppage at half forward but you'd have to think it won't happen again. RCH - 14.8 (92) COL - 11.11 (77) Q4: 2'
Stirling Coates
Editor
Rupert Willis gets a free kick on the wing and sends a long kick inside 50, but Dylan Grimes is the only one to go for it and he takes a superb sliding mark. That could be the game! RCH - 14.8 (92) COL - 11.11 (77) Q4: 3'
Stirling Coates
Editor
GOAL TIGERS FOUR FOR RIEWOLDT! Collingwood can't clear it from the throw-in in the pack pocket, the quick kick comes to ground, but Jack Riewoldt gathers off the deck, throws it onto the boot and somehow his no-look snap sails home! Richmond by 15! RCH - 14.8 (92) COL - 11.11 (77) Q4: 4'
Freo As
Guest
Richmond have this in the bag. #meaningful Dimma thinks it is I spoze.
Stirling Coates
Editor
Richmond win the centre clearance, throw-in deep in their forward pocket. This could be the game here. RCH - 13.8 (86) COL - 11.11 (77) Q4: 5'
Stirling Coates
Editor
GOAL TIGERS HUGE! Richmond go coast to coast from the kick in once more, and they've got numbers behind the Collingwood defence. Dustin Martin sends it to full forward, Sam Lloyd runs onto it, takes the mark and slams it home from the line! RCH - 13.8 (86) COL - 11.11 (77) Q4: 6'
Freo As
Guest
Tell me umpires aren't influenced by the crowd. #weakcharacter
Freo As
Guest
Tell me umpires aren't influenced by the crowd. #weakcharacter
Stirling Coates
Editor
BEHIND MAGPIES Collingwood win the free kick out of the middle and send it forward, but the quick snap from Jesse White across the body, while darting past a fair few defenders, trickles marginally wide. RCH - 12.8 (80) COL - 11.11 (77) Q4: 7'
Freo As
Guest
Tell me umpires aren't influenced by the crowd. #weakcharacter
Stirling Coates
Editor
GOAL TIGERS Richmond get their first coast to coast passage of play for the quarter, and from the half forward flank a very clever kick inside 50 allows Brandon Ellis to run into vacant space and take an easy mark close to goal. Bit of an angle to contend with, but he slots it from 20 out and Richmond are back in front! RCH - 12.8 (80) COL - 11.10 (76) Q4: 7'
Stirling Coates
Editor
BEHIND MAGPIES Trent Cotchin is pinged for holding the ball on his defensive 50, but Jeremy Howe receives the handball, plays on and his long kick misses to the near side. RCH - 11.8 (74) COL - 11.10 (76) Q4: 8'
Freo As
Guest
Tell me umpires aren't influenced by the crowd. #weakcharacter
Stirling Coates
Editor
Scott Pendlebury has put the club jacket on and will not be returning this evening. Big out. RCH - 11.8 (74) COL - 11.9 (75) Q4: 8'