Jordan De Goey has starred with five goals as Collingwood ran over the top of Richmond to score an emphatic 44-point win at the MCG.
In their first match without injured defensive general Alex Rance, the Tigers were eventually brought undone by the clinical Magpies, who kicked five goals to one in the last quarter of the 17.8 (110) to 10.6 (66) win in front of 70,699 fans on Thursday night.
De Goey capitalised on the work of Collingwood’s superior midfield that monstered Richmond around the ball, winning the lopsided disposal count 467 to 300.
The Pies controlled the ball for the most part, taking a mammoth 174 marks to the Tigers’ 78, in their first win of the season after a round one loss to Geelong.
“We were all challenged after last week,” coach Nathan Buckley said.
“The credit has to go to the players.
“It was a very good performance tonight … a lot closer to what we’d like the game to look like and the scoreboard looked after itself.”
Adam Treloar and Dayne Beams led the way with 39 and 36 possessions respectively, with Darcy Moore impressive at centre half-back.
Richmond’s midfielders simply struggled to get their hands on the ball, Trent Cotchin (22 touches) and Dustin Martin (18) failing to have their usual influence.
Tom Lynch continued his encouraging start for the club with another three-goal bag.
The Pies’ six-point lead at the first break didn’t really reflect their control of the contest but they reaped the benefits of their aerial mastery with a burst of four unanswered goals in the second quarter.
De Goey was in the thick of the action with a brilliant mark and goal, but the Tigers hit back late with three goals inside the last two minutes of the first half.
Shane Edwards, who was somehow awarded a free kick after Kamdyn McIntosh caught Steele Sidebottom holding the ball, had the Punt Road End fans on their feet when he sliced the margin to six points after the siren.
The Tigers were still in with a shout when Edwards kicked his second early in the final term to cut the deficit to 16 points, but it was one-way traffic from then.
“We were lucky to be within a couple of goals at three-quarter time to be perfectly honest … it was an incredibly disappointing night,” Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said.
“We’ve got some work to do, there’s no doubt.”
Richmond depart the match with injury concerns after Jack Riewoldt hurt a wrist in a spectacular marking attempt in the second quarter, Nick Vlastuin also hurt a thumb.
To rub salt in the wounds, Dylan Grimes faces a nervous wait to see how a lunging high elbow on Jamie Elliott is assessed by the match review officer.
Fat Toad
Roar Rookie
After looking at the Carlton v Richmond game last week, I thought the Geelong game v Collingwood to be a much higher standard, so I liked the Pies over the Tigs by about 4 to 5 goals. The game looked pretty much as I expected although I had some doubts over Collingwood's ability to run a game out against a tough opponent, particularly after having some of those problems last year. I hope that the Tigs bounce back and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Jack Riewoldt, by the way it was strapped I am not thinking scaphoid but potentially ulna, which may be a faster recovery. Hope he is back on the park soon.
Peter Warrington
Guest
Grundy, Pendlebury, Treloar, Beams plus Sidebottom De Goey, Mihocek, Cox, Elliott Moore, Langdon and every one I have forgotten It's a pretty good team, this Collingwood. Said so last year after they pantsed the Crows. will give it a real red hot go this year. Richmond... tbd...
Leonard Colquhoun
Roar Rookie
Yes, "a beautiful night in Melbourne", Peter the Scribe, and “Thursday. Night. Football!!!” - blockbuster matchup of two clubs totalling 176,000+ members, at the MCG’s 95,000 seats, but with 20,000+ left empty. Looks as if ten / twelve / 15 thousand fans rated Friday’s parental duties and / or work responsibilities far higher than being an AFL crowd statistic. ‘Vox glutei’ speaking? But do the ermenegildo zegnas at AFL HQ give a toss for We the Populi?
Grand-Dag
Roar Rookie
Collingwood beat Richmond by playing the same way that the Eagles beat the Tigers by 47 points in Round 9 last year, and then pinched the Flag from the Pies. Kick-Mark, 174 marks speaks for itself.
andyincanberra
Guest
Exactly right. Whilst De Goey received most plaudits, for me Moore was the stand-out.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Darcy Moore has found his niche! Now to stay on the park
Davo
Guest
174 Marks against a quality side just tells you the quality skill set that Collingwood have at their disposal. Only weakness I thought may have against quality talls but watching Darcy Moore last night they may have that covered now and they still have Daniel Wells to return. Would have to have the best squad on paper.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Glimpses of some of the footy this side is capable of. In a beautiful night in Melbourne, I'm starting to think greasy conditions like last weeks game against the Cats is where the Pies will come undone. Our link and switch footy was exciting when it worked out too. In the end we did what the Tigers usually do to sides at the G, run over them in the last qtr. Early days but a really encouraging game. As for the Tigers, the Crows pounded them second round last year and they finished on top. I would expect them to be up there somewhere by the end of the marathon.
Bretto
Roar Rookie
Super win by the Pies. Great job by Greenwood on Dusty.