It’s a clash between two Victorian heavyweights, with the Richmond Tigers hosting the Collingwood Magpies at the MCG on a Thursday night. Join The Roar from live scores and a blog from 7:20pm (AEDT).
The last time these two teams met in Round 2 was last season, and what an ending that was! Collingwood – thanks to a Darcy Moore kick-in and the efforts of Brodie Grundy – won a nail biter by just a point.
While Richmond conquered the Pies in their later 2016 match-up, history is irrelevant for both these teams as they aim to prove themselves as contenders in 2016.
Richmond go into this game in a slightly superior position, with the Tigers looking great in their 43-point win over Carlton in the season opener last week – however, all eyes will be on how they respond against opposition of a much higher calibre.
Collingwood, for their part, were far from disgraced in their loss to the reigning premiers. The Pies won most of the major stats against the Dogs, but weren’t about to translate their statistical superiority into a win.
This game will undoubtedly be won or lost in the midfield, which is no surprise given the calibre of some of the players.
Collingwood’s primary aim will be to limit the impact that Dustin Martin has, given his stellar game last Thursday against the Blues.
The Pies are far from embarrassed in the midfield department, however, given that they had four players – Adam Treloar, Taylor Adams, Steele Sidebottom and captain Scott Penderbury – reach 30 disposals in their first round match.
Replicate that, and the Pies will go a long way towards gaining midfield superiority.
There’s intriguing battles in other parts of the ground, as well, with Pies youngster Darcy Moore likely having a huge job combating Alex Rance, and the battle between the two forward lines – Collingwood’s height-obsessed forward line, and Richmond’s quick and effective new-look line, headlined by talented youngster Daniel Rioli.
Collingwood goes into the match with two changes. Coach Nathan Buckley has dropped American forward Mason Cox, while the suspended Travis Varcoe will also give way.
James Aish slots into the team, whilst Tim Broomhead will play his first game of 2017 as the replacement for Varcoe.
Evidently, Buckley hasn’t opted for the ‘three big-man’ forward approach he’s favoured in recent times.
Richmond have swung the axe on a trio of last week’s players, with Sam Lloyd, Kamdyn McIntosh and Taylor Hunt all sitting this one out.
Jayden Short is the like-for-like replacement for Hunt, midfielder Kane Lambert joins the team for the first time this year and Ben Lennon takes to the park after proving his worth after some brilliant VFL form.
Prediction
If the Pies win, they avoid going 0-2 for the first time since ’05. If Richmond succeeds, they go 2-0 for the second time since 1999. Evidently, there’s a lot riding on this game.
For me, though, it’ll be the Pies – by a goal and change, maybe less. They’ve just got the superior talent on the field, and will have motivation to avoid losing a second consecutive game.
That said, I wouldn’t be surprised whatsoever if the Tigers prove me wrong.
Collingwood by 14.
Join The Roar from live scores and a blog from 7:20pm (AEDT).
Slane
Guest
Grundy is a gun.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Richmond has consigned Collingwood to two straight losses, prevailing by 19 points in an intriguing Thursday night game at the MCG. In a game that was very much of two distinct halves, it was Richmond’s superior accuracy and pressure – particularly in the final quarter – that enabled them to defeat an admirable – and potentially more fancied - Collingwood outfit, and win their first two games of the season for the first time since 2013. The first half was marked by some shockingly poor, almost comical inaccuracy, with Collingwood in particular heading into the half-time change rooms with a score line of 5.10. In fact, Chris Mayne’s set-shot goal on the half time siren was the first goal from a set shot – the sixteenth attempt. The first quarter was a slow, intense contest, with the team deadlocked at 16 points apiece come quarter-time. Richmond would’ve been frustrated at that first break, especially given they led inside-50’s 19 to 9. Shaun Edward’s horror run in front of goal the space of a few minutes (missed everything, behind, and then finally a goal) epitomized their inability to capitalise on their opportunities. The second quarter, though, was as much of a mediocre quarter as I’ve ever seen. With just three goals, and a whole lot of behinds, the teams looked set to finish the quarter with score lines in the early 20’s, but it was Darcy Moore and the aforementioned Mayne goal which allowed Collingwood to ever-so-slightly break free of the scoring curse and finish 10 point ahead. Collingwood was the statistical leader at half time, and looked to be in the better position to begin the second half. They were much more prolific with the ball, and they’d turned their inside-50 deficit behind, plus Adam Treloar was dominating the contest (with 20 possessions come half time). But, both teams flicked on the switch and produced a scintillating third quarter, with 9 goals scored and the teams locked in a fast-paced, close contest. Whilst it was Richmond who had a 7 points lead (thanks to the remnants of Collingwood’s inaccuracy, which reared it’s head again late in the quarter), you just got the feeling that Collingwood wasn’t out of the game. And they weren’t. Whilst Collingwood looked eager to replicate last year’s miraculous win in the dying minutes, Richmond suddenly found themselves twenty points ahead within the final 10 minutes, and whilst Collingwood showed fight (Treloar’s running goal the perfect example of this), Richmond were able to avoid a capitulation, keep their lead and finish the game in style – ‘Dusty style’, with the midfielder nailing an exquisite goal to guarantee the win. On a personal level, both teams will be pleased with the performances of several key players. Collingwood’s Adam Treloar led an engrossing battle with Martin the whole night, with Treloar comfortably winning the disposal count (35 to 25), but the two deadlocked on goals (two apiece). Richmond’s Trent Cotchin and Dion Prestia were both very influential (26 and 24 touches effectively), whilst Will Hoskin Elliot had a stellar final quarter, Pendlebury had a typically great but not outstanding match and Grundy and Sidebottom also playing good supporting roles. Tyson Goldsack also impressed down back for the Pies, and Josh Caddy would’ve impressed his new club with a great performance. Richmond face the Eagles at the ‘G next Saturday, whilst Collingwood face a hard assignment against Sydney on the Friday night. Intriguing games, those two. Richmond: 14.15 (99) Collingwood: 11.14 (80)
dan in devon
Guest
wouldn't write Richmond off yet. Collingwood simply don't have the ability to win important games. They need another change - a less high-pressing game plan and a culture change. Brett Ratten looks a good fit for Collingwood.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
I have no idea. It was honestly such a freakish few seconds.
XI
Roar Guru
I thought that too
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
RICHMOND WIN! Richmond have won by 19. Match report to come soon. Richmond: 14.15 (99) Collingwood: 11.14 (80)
TomC
Roar Guru
Did that hit the post and rebound back into play?
DJW
Guest
I don't think either of these teams will be making the top 8
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
GOAL RICHMOND Dustin Martin. Wowee. Brilliant stuff. Richmond: 14.15 (99) Collingwood: 11.14 (80)
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
BEHIND RICHMOND Martin with a behind, and Richmond have got this in the bag. Richmond: 13.15 (93) Collingwood: 11.14 (80)
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
BEHIND RICHMOND Behind to Cotchin. Richmond by two goals. Collingwood literally need a miracle. Richmond: 13.14 (92) Collingwood: 11.14 (80)
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Appears it'll be up to Cotchin to ice this game.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
BEHIND RICHMOND Caddy with a behind. This is going to be an intense two and a half minutes. Richmond: 13.13 (91) Collingwood: 11.14 (80)
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Caddy has the chance to ice the game here.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Richmond have a 10 point lead with 4 and a half minutes to play. But this is one unpredictable game.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
GOAL COLLINGWOOD Not to be outdone, Treloar sends through a brilliant goal from about 60 out! Collingwood are certainly not out of this. Richmond: 13.12 (90) Collingwood: 11.14 (80)
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
GOAL RICHMOND Martin with a vitally important mark! He runs around, and sends a beauty through the middle! I reckon he's quite literally the match-winner. Richmond: 13.12 (90) Collingwood: 10.14 (74)
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
GOAL COLLINGWOOD They couldn't, could they? Hoskin-Elliot runs into a very, very open goal. Collingwood just 9 points in arrears. Richmond: 12.11 (83) Collingwood: 10.14 (74)
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
BEHIND RICHMOND Martin with a around-the-body snap, but it misses. Richmond: 12.11 (83) Collingwood: 9.14 (68)
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
GOAL COLLINGWOOD Well, that was a wonderful one-handed mark from Pendlebury. No time to celebrate though, because the ball's in Hoskin-Elliot's hands before we know it. And he's goaled. His second, the Pies ninth, but they would wanna get a move on if that want any chance at succeeding. Richmond: 12.10 (82) Collingwood: 9.14 (68)