It’s been heard before. Certain ways to beat Richmond can be said, listed. Yet nothing has troubled the Tigers in Victoria throughout the 2018 season.
However, if they are to be stopped, Collingwood are one of the only teams capable.
Here’s how they’ll have to do it.
Stay desperate, stay with them
Richmond aren’t the type of team to blow others away within the first quarter. They steadily apply waves of pressure until the opposition crumbles. It’s what allowed them to break free in the 2017 finals series, as they managed to go on a second-half spree in each game. Part of this is based on fitness.
The Pies have had two tough games, yet this may have hardened them and kept their match fitness to an optimum. Therefore, they must do what they have done in their previous encounters with Richmond and stay with them, even ahead of them if possible.
If they can do this and remain fit and energetic, then who knows what a final quarter in front of 100,000 may bring when the Tigers are coming off one game in four weeks.
Don’t let Richmond kick red-time goals
In the previous two encounters this year, quarters were relatively even, bar the final terms. Richmond were able to maintain their lead and stay a couple of goals ahead due to their ability to hit the scoreboard late in quarters.
Casting the mind back to their latest game, Dustin Martin’s late goal before halftime shifted the momentum away from the Pies and ensured that they would never see the lead again.
If the Magpies are to cause a boilover, they have to stop these late goals in the last five minutes of play, or else they’ll be down at the end of quarters regardless of how well they play during the guts of the term.
Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images
Use the ball smartly when entering forward 50
Collingwood must use their slingshot running game to cleanly pass the Tigers’ defenders. Glimpses of it were shown against Greater Western Sydney, where hard leading broke open the forward 50 and allowed for easy shots at goal. But this has to be done by the whole line as well.
High balls down the line are killers, and the Pies, through have to lower the eyes and hit targets forward of centre if they are going to kick a score large enough to win the game.
Cut off Jack’s leading room
Coleman Medallist Jack Riewoldt is indispensable for Richmond’s forward line. The reason why they score so heavily with just one tall forward is because he is so damn good at what he does. His leading is key in creating space for his livewire small forwards.
If you can flood Riewoldt’s leading space and cut off his runs, then it blocks the others from finding room to crumb balls and kick easy goals. It all starts with Jack.
Pressure them the whole time – especially their midfield
Brodie Grundy is huge in dictating how the Pies will go. Therefore, Collingwood’s dominant midfield must win the clearances and give their forwards first use of the footy before the Tigers can kick into gear.
Scoreboard pressure is key in finals, and winning the ball at the coalface and gaining territory goes a long way to securing this.
If Dusty is down in form and score output, then the midfield can be pressured to swing the momentum towards Collingwood’s way.
Mark
Guest
Conca is a dud, proved that last night. Just because they have a Richmond guernsey on, doesn’t make them all superstars.
Marl
Guest
Haha, Sidebottom had a blinder, Graham did nothing like the hack that he is.
asd
Guest
Dont let Ed sit in a seat . Corrode the stadium like battery acid would .
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Hope so Bilo. I couldn't care less how we win, even if the free kick count was Pies 28 Tigers 3 and Richmond lose Rance, Jack, Dusty and Cotch before quarter time. You take your finals wins however they come.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
You'll find the majority of comments in here are speculative Realist, such as yours predicting the downfall of the Pies season since you arrived here with your very close friend Truetigerfan. Yet we made the last 4?
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
It’s funny the focus on poor Richmond carrying one cork for Dusty or WCE missing Nic Nat, Gaff and Sheppard. The Pies have somehow kept winning yet we are still missing our full back Dunn, our centre half back in Matty Scharenberg, our player we actually recruited for finals in Daniel Wells, our enigmatic small forward in Jamie Elliott. On top of that, the 2018 home and away was meant to educate Darcy Moore into honing his craft down back, yet his hammy pings nearly every time he steps out on the park. Richmond in particular, have had a dream run with injury. If that evens out in 2019 they won’t find it as easy so best take their chances while they can. For the Pies to do what they have done already, just hand coach of the year to Nathan Buckley right now. it is Bucks and his new group of assistants, including the highly capable Longmuir, who have performed miracles this year. It doesn’t mean we stop now though. The key to beating Richmond is to not play nervous, to be bold, brave and switch angles. Most of all, take your chances
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Cox standing the mark another clever move by Bucks. GWS couldn't kick over the 7 foot giant last weekend.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Just not something I would imagine any Roar readers are remotely interested in outside of W.A.
bilo
Guest
well you've got the umps PtS, so you just need luck with injuries now
User
Roar Rookie
C'mon Pete, every west aussie who has become beloved by Victorians still hold their home state comp in high regard, just be respectful, I understand that's a difficult concept for a pies supporter but first step is trying mate.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Trouble is the Pies have a whole squad of mids...wonder who Brayden Maynard will do a job on? Greenwood will be testing Dusty's cork too.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Peter, that's a comment from someone who doesn't understand modern footy. Aish played his role perfectly and focuses on helping the team be better. It's not about who gets the stats or goals at the happy place that is the Collingwood Footy team, it's all about team and Steven May is welcome for 2019.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Jack isn't quick. The gun mid who rejected the Tigers is back to ...Adam Treloar wasn't playing back then. He recently was asked about whether he regretted not joining the Tigers so as to nab the 2017 flag. "Not at all, the relationships at the Pies have made me a much better person. Wouldn't change my decision for the world" ....Even if Richmond go back to back I dare say Treloar will still end up with more flags at the Pies by the end of his career.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Nah, it's the who cares cup. About as interesting as a suburban game in Melbourne, nothing to see there unless you follow the sides.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Ouch. That was good Paul. Let's face it, Australia should have been two countries after the white invasion that we still disgracefully celebrate Australia Day. Portugese and Dutch ships were constantly landing on that W.A. coast hundreds of years before Cook. W.A. should have been called New Portugal. They just saw the big cliffs and didn't think much was there but forgot to dig in the ground. It should be the Melbourne Demons playing the Portugese Sea Eagles this weekend. I like Perth, I really do. Cottesloe is lovely though if you walk too far on the beach you end up facing a lot of bare bottoms. Must be the nice climate in Perth.
Peter
Guest
Aish was easily the worst player on the field last week. tiges supporters will be very happy anytime the ball is in his hands.
User
Roar Rookie
Wafl is just a tad important, especially as that is part of the history of Australian rules football. The wafl gf is between 2 areas that share a border, something u thought would be appealing to rich and Coll supporters, obviously wrong.
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
Sidey . . . good player but used as a boundary rider all too often. His influence is limited when pushed back and wide. Reverts to the Malthouse game plan of 'round the outside' when the pressure is on. And the pressure is on.
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
Grimesy will make Princess Fiona's brother all De Gooey, Aish is merely a boy and Goldsack way too slow down back For Jack and his speedy sidekicks. Carna Tigers. Eat 'em Alive!
Peter Wolf
Guest
We did ok against Eagles i remember when the Eagles pulled your pants down at their home ground just got over the line against Freo and gws so big deal we got the win you guys are the form side can you be beaten definitely