Collingwood
66
Match Complete
Richmond
98
| Fourth Quarter | ||||
| B. Mihocek |  | 28:12 | ||
| S. Pendlebury | | 25:28 | ||
| B. Crocker |  | 22:57 | ||
| B. Mihocek | | 20:34 | ||
| 19:09 | | T. J. Lynch | ||
| J. D. Goey | | 13:30 | ||
| J. Elliott | | 12:28 | ||
| 11:01 | | M. Chol | ||
| 6:34 | | K. Lambert | ||
| 2:54 | | J. Castagna | ||
| 0:19 | | D. Rioli | ||
| 5.10 (40) | Third Quarter [+] | 11.12 (78) | ||
| 28:37 | | J. Riewoldt | ||
| 27:12 | | J. Castagna | ||
| 21:52 | | J. Riewoldt | ||
| J. D. Goey | | 20:07 | ||
| B. Grundy | | 19:36 | ||
| J. Thomas | | 14:56 | ||
| Rushed | | 11:36 | ||
| 9:27 | | D. Martin | ||
| J. D. Goey | | 8:35 | ||
| 6:26 | | D. Rioli | ||
| 4:36 | | T. J. Lynch | ||
| Rushed | | 1:39 | ||
| 0:43 | | Rushed | ||
| 3.6 (24) | Second Quarter [+] | 9.7 (61) | ||
| B. Crocker | | 29:30 | ||
| S. Pendlebury | | 27:32 | ||
| W. Hoskin-Elliott | | 23:06 | ||
| 21:22 | | T. J. Lynch | ||
| S. Sidebottom | | 20:48 | ||
| Rushed | | 18:08 | ||
| 15:09 | | Rushed | ||
| 13:29 | | T. J. Lynch | ||
| 12:20 | | S. Stack | ||
| 10:30 | | M. Chol | ||
| 8:04 | | S. Stack | ||
| 3:52 | | K. Lambert | ||
| J. D. Goey | | 2:27 | ||
| 1.2 (8) | First Quarter [+] | 5.4 (34) | ||
| 29:21 | | T. J. Lynch | ||
| 27:26 | | I. Soldo | ||
| 24:50 | | S. Bolton | ||
| 22:13 | | Rushed | ||
| 20:27 | | S. Stack | ||
| 17:32 | | S. Bolton | ||
| 16:18 | | T. J. Lynch | ||
| 7:11 | | D. Martin | ||
| B. Grundy | | 6:02 | ||
| 4:01 | | S. Bolton | ||
| A. Treloar | | 1:36 | ||
| M. Cox | | 0:48 | ||
It’s fourth vs fifth on the ladder as two Victorian heavyweights Collingwood and Richmond meet at the MCG. Join The Roar for live scores and blog from 7:50pm AEST.
The wheels are teetering on Collingwood’s season after a big 57-point loss to GWS last week. It’s now three losses in five for the Pies, who will be desperate to take four points from this game from a finals rival to steady the ship and improve their finals credentials.
Richmond on the other hand are in hot form, brushing aside finals aspirant Port Adelaide by 38 points last week to claim their fourth win in a row.
Recent form flies in the face of their result in Round 2 when Collingwood pantsed the Tigers by 44 points. The Tigers were reeling with injuries back then, but that situation has improved for the Tigers and they have welcomed back big names in recent weeks.
But Collingwood do have something over Richmond, with recent results (including last year’s Preliminary final) being completely lopsided.
Collingwood’s ability to find space in their forward half and beat Richmond one-on-one has stood out. But Damien Hardwick will have worked on a counterpoint since Round 2 and should unveil something in tonight’s game.
Indeed this game features two good, effective forward lines (with points for Richmond are fourth and Collingwood are sixth), against two mediocre defences – both sides sit outside the top six for points against, which is not surprising given that it has always been Collingwood’s weak point while the Tigers have an Alex-Rance-sized hole in their backline.
Therefore, the midfield bodes as the crucial contest, with whoever can get the ball inside 50 more shaping as the victor.
Where Collingwood prefer a high possession style (they are first in disposals per game), Richmond are a quick moving team, sitting in 11th for possessions per game.
Indeed the team who gets on top of stoppages and wins the clearances – giving their team first opportunity – will likely win the match.
This is again a worry for Richmond where ruckman Brodie Grundy should have a lot more guile, skill and experience than Ivan Soldo. If Soldo can neutralise Grundy then the advantage will swing back to Richmond.
Collingwood welcomes back some big names for this game to try and arrest their form slump. Marcus Scharenberg, Jamie Elliott and Josh Thomas add immediate quality to their backs, forwards and midfield, while versatile Josh Daicos also comes in.
James Aish and Brayden Sier (injued) will be missed, but with Ben Crocker and youngster Flynn Appleby stepping out the quality of the ins far outways the outs this week.
Richmond makes no change, and really don’t need to in the form they’re in. Now that early season injuries, namely Trent Cotchin and Jack Riewoldt, are back and integrated into the side the Tigers are humming at nearly full strength (notwithstanding longterm outs like Alex Rance and Toby Nankervis).
Prediction
This should be a close game. Two high quality, finals ready teams facing off at the MCG on Friday night is the stuff of dreams, and both sides have a lot to play for.
On form Richmond should be able to get the win but it won’t be easy, and surely they have worked out a way to prevent Collingwood’s forward-line dominance in recent head-to-head games.
The consequences for another soft result for Collingwood could be dire, and they will have been reminded of that throughout the week by coach Buckley. Richmond should win in a close one, but this is really a toss of a coin.
Richmond by 6 points.
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
I firmly believe that Richmond are doing very well presently & will perform brilliantly for the remainder of the season. Claims of “windbag” supporters are spurious & not to be taken seriously.
Goodie
Roar Rookie
Ooohhhhhh sorry mate lol I like brizzy alot
Gerry
Roar Rookie
No spuds in our team matey. Looking forward to smashing you in Rnd 23 haha
Gerry
Roar Rookie
Richmond have been given their last games st home so unfairly and come finals will dearly hope they get s whopping to shut up the annoying media and their windbags of supporters.
PriddisJunior
Roar Rookie
ahaha
Goodie
Roar Rookie
Don’t think so mate
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Might get by WCE too.
Klompy
Guest
Guess what Goodie, you better wake up as well. In three weeks the game I think that may decide the grand final is out of Richmond and the Eagles. Do not just dismiss the Eagles too early. Yes The game is at the Mcg and the Eagles have not lost there this year. I think the Premiership race is out three only Richmond Eagles and the Cats. Why are the Tigers Supporters thinking six weeks ahead and not taking it a week at a time? AS I said the danger game is in Three weeks and not in Six Weeks.
Klompy
Guest
Guess what Goldie, you better wake up as well. The game in Three weeks will decide who will or wont be in the Grand Final. Do not just dismiss the Eagles to quickly. The Eagles will have some of their injured players back by then. I think the race is out of Three Eagles Tigers and the Cats.
muppets
Guest
lol not finishing forth? They're more likely getting top 2 than dropping out the top 4.
Jack A
Guest
How convenient of the AFL to structure an already embarrassingly compromised fixture by ensuring that the Tigers last 3 “away” games are played at HOME against “co-tenants”. Richmond have the largest or one of the largest supporter based . I suspect the AFL may be seeking a greater financial windfall?
PriddisJunior
Roar Rookie
Eagles use to get 3 home games in a row cause the derby. They sorted that out so it doesnt happen any more.
PriddisJunior
Roar Rookie
Will richmond still finish 4th after losing consecutive weeks leading into finals tho?
PriddisJunior
Roar Rookie
Go back to doing what tigers do. Lynch is the difference now.
PriddisJunior
Roar Rookie
Pies should get past geelong or lions in week 2 but its hard to see better than that now
Dan in Devon
Guest
No excuses from us. Richmond are a wonderful football team and I am surprised people were writing them off. By the same token, I think you will find the Pies will be a different outfit in 5 or 6 weeks.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Be gracious.
Goodie
Roar Rookie
That best excuse you got hahaha and the rest
Dan In Devon
Guest
Most are thinking it. Buckley has tried to modify the game plan with a view to defeating the Eagles. He needs to go back to last year.
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
Three of them are against MCG co-tenants. It isn’t just their ‘home ground.’