BEN REID has underlined his importance to Collingwood's fortunes in 2017 with a commanding display as the Magpies outlasted Richmond by seven points in their JLT Community Series clash in Moe on Saturday. 

Reid was in splendid touch, collecting 26 disposals and 18 marks (three contested) to stamp himself as the Magpies' best player alongside gun midfielder Adam Treloar in the 1.15.15 (114) to 0.16.11 (107) victory.

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On the comeback trail from off-season knee surgery, Reid has patiently built up his workload, even suiting up in a VFL practice match in February, to ensure his availability for round one.

With skipper Scott Pendlebury a late withdrawal due to Achilles tightness, Treloar picked up the slack and led the way beautifully in a best-on-ground performance. 

Treloar got rolling from the outset, kicking a goal and a supergoal in the first quarter and finished his day with 29 disposals. 

Young Pie Tom Phillips did his chances of a round one appearance no harm with another fine pre-season performance, the endurance king picking up 24 disposals. 

Jackson Ramsay, returning from a torn anterior cruciate ligament sustained in April last year, was also busy in defence with 28 disposals.

The Magpies were in control from the get-go, leading at every change and they often looked like they would charge away to a dominant victory.

But star Tiger Dustin Martin (26 disposals, six clearances and three goals), following a week where his contract discussions dominated the headlines, lifted in the latter part of third term after the Magpies booted four goals in the space of 12 minutes to start the quarter.

Despite Collingwood's early dominance, the Tigers cut the margin to just seven points at the final siren as the Magpies ran out of steam.

"We did throw it around and tried a few things in the last 40 minutes," Magpies coach Nathan Buckley said.

"There's no doubt that we felt the (effects) of the longer game, with the cap rotations, so fatigue kicked in a little bit. 

"We weren't as clean late but when the game was up for grabs early we were happy with our ability to put heat on Richmond and then use the ball cleanly to get out of that."

Although he had just 12 disposals for the afternoon, rookie Tiger Mabior Chol showed flashes of his potential while oft-injured midfielder Reece Conca had 24 touches.

A late ankle injury to Jack Riewoldt, who was reported for rough conduct earlier in the game, caused some concerns but the spearhead, who booted two goals, appeared to be walking freely when he shook hands with the opposition after the siren.

Collingwood still has to fit Daniel Wells, Jamie Elliott, Tom Langdon, Jordan De Goey, Levi Greenwood and skipper Pendlebury back into its best 22 as competition for spots heats up.

The Tigers were without Ben Lennon and Corey Ellis, and after a dismal start coach Damien Hardwick would have been content with their fightback and increased pressure around the footy.

"We started poorly. The first quarter was not something we want to replicate going forward but then three quarters after that made for a pretty even contest," Hardwick said.

"The disappointing thing was the way we started. Collingwood got the better of us around the scrimmages and played the ball in their half. We'll have a look at it and see if we can rectify it."

WHAT WE LEARNED
Richmond: The Tigers have spent all summer working on a patented style of fast ball movement but, as the first half against Collingwood proved, it can all come unstuck if the pressure around the ball is not where it needs to be. Richmond was smashed in the first quarter as its front-half pressure was non-existent and it allowed the Magpies to move the ball freely and crisply. Once they turned up the intensity around the footy, the Tigers performed much better. But the inconsistency is a little worrying. Still, a 2-1 win-loss record across the pre-season remains a positive for Damien Hardwick's men.

Collingwood: Collingwood has a number of selection dilemmas ahead of round one. Scott Pendlebury (Achilles), Levi Greenwood (hamstring), Jordan De Goey (quad) and maybe Jamie Elliott (ankle) will be looking to force their way back into the side for the opening round clash against the Western Bulldogs. Rookies Henry Schade and Mason Cox both look on the cusp of being elevated to the senior list, one in place of the injured Ben Sinclair, after excellent performances over the pre-season. If all of Pendlebury, Greenwood, De Goey and Elliott are fit, that means four players need to drop out. Some tough decisions await Nathan Buckley and his match committee. 

NEW FACES
Richmond: After a quiet start to the game, former Sun Dion Prestia made more of an impact with two goals in the second quarter. Ex-Cat Josh Caddy spent much of his time up forward but was quiet, while Toby Nankervis fought back in the second half after being beaten by Brodie Grundy early in the game. Mabior Chol caught the eye and seems to have taken steps in his development as he looks to play regular senior footy in 2017. Fellow rookies Tyson Stengle  and Ivan Soldo both sat out the first half before coming on to kick goals late in the contest. There are two spots on Richmond's primary list available, after Shaun Hampson was placed on the long-term injury list. 

Collingwood: Ex-Docker Chris Mayne got his confidence levels up early with a goal in the opening term, and he finished the day with two majors and 13 touches in his best performance for his new club. Henry Schade, formerly of Gold Coast, was solid in defence and has put himself in line for an early-season debut in his new colours. Schade appears to be ahead of Lynden Dunn in the race of the second tall defender spot, with the former Demon only featuring in the second half. Will Hoskin-Elliott should be a certain starter in the Magpies' round one team, with his athleticism and versatility adding a point of difference. 

NEXT UP
With the JLT Community Series done and dusted, both teams will be part of the early games in round one. Richmond opens the home and away season against Carlton at the MCG on March 23, while the Magpies face the Western Bulldogs the following night at the same venue.

RICHMOND             0.2.2     0.6.5       0.11.7       0.16.11 (107)
COLLINGWOOD      1.6.7     1.8.11     1.15.15     1.15.15 (114)

SUPERGOALS
Richmond: Nil
Collingwood: Treloar 

GOALS
Richmond: Martin 3, Edwards 2, Prestia 2, Riewoldt 2, Chol, Caddy, Soldo, Rioli, Butler, Castagna, Stengle
Collingwood: Moore 3, White 3, Fasolo 2, Mayne 2, Cox, Grundy, Treloar, Smith, Phillips

BEST 
Richmond: Martin, Riewoldt, Conca, Prestia, Edwards, Chol
Collingwood: Treloar, Reid, Adams, Sidebottom, Crisp, Grundy, Smith, Phillips

INJURIES
Richmond: Riewoldt (left ankle)
Collingwood: Adams (cut chin), Pendlebury (Achilles tightness) late withdrawal

REPORTS 
Jack Riewoldt (Richmond) reported for engaging in rough conduct on Jackson Ramsay (Collingwood)

Umpires: Mitchell, Stephens, Findlay 

Official crowd: 5701 at Ted Summerton Reserve in Moe