SUMMARY
Richmond got the job done with a 43-point win against Carlton in round one, but it will be keen to underline its improvement with a win against more testing opposition.
The Tigers unveiled a more attacking game style that was based on tackling relentlessly, forcing turnovers and then running instinctively with the ball.
A key to their new set-up is a small and mobile forward line that included exciting trio Dan Butler, Daniel Rioli and Jason Castagna, who combined for six goals.
Collingwood will certainly be the more testing opposition the Tigers need to prove their credentials after pushing the Western Bulldogs last Friday night.
The Magpies fell 14 points short but won a lot of key indicators, including clearances (43-25), contested possessions (161-135) and inside 50s (62-44).
If their midfielders can have similar dominance against the Tigers, it will go a long way to delivering the Magpies their first win of the season.
WHERE AND WHEN: MCG, Thursday, March 30, 7.20pm AEDT
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R20, 2016, Richmond 14.8 (92) d Collingwood 11.11 (77) at the MCG
R2, 2016, Collingwood 13.9 (87) d Richmond 12.14 (86) at the MCG
R21, 2015, Richmond 23.9 (147) d Collingwood 7.14 (56) at the MCG
R7, 2015, Richmond 16.9 (105) d Collingwood 15.10 (100) at the MCG
R4, 2014, Collingwood 16.14 (110) d Richmond 10.12 (72) at the MCG
THE SIX POINTS
1. Richmond did enough to defeat Collingwood the last time the sides played thanks to the defensive efforts of Alex Rance, who picked up the three Brownlow votes with 26 disposals and eight marks.
2. Tackling was the key to Richmond's round one win, laying an AFL-high 88 tackles to Carlton's 68. The Tigers also played aggressively and kicked long, with 91 long kicks to Carlton's 68.
3. Richmond has now won three of the last four clashes against Collingwood, ending the Magpies' dominance of seven consecutive wins in 2008-14. Three of the last four games have been decided by less than three goals.
4. The Magpies were one of the highest possession teams in round one with 431 disposals, second behind only Melbourne (453). They took more marks and had 17 more inside 50s than the Western Bulldogs.
5. If Collingwood loses it will be the first time since 2005 they have started a season 0-2. Only once since 1998 have Richmond won their first two games of a season (in 2013).
6. Collingwood's top-four ball-winners were excellent in round one, with Steele Sidebottom and Scott Pendlebury (35), and Taylor Adams and Adam Treloar (33) combining for 136 touches. Melbourne was the only other team in round one to have four players win 30 or more possessions.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Darcy Moore.
The young Collingwood forward will likely face a match-up on All Australian defender Alex Rance, who will be keen to bounce back from a scratchy first-up performance. Rance conceded three goals to Jacob Weitering, and it is hard to picture him having two bad games in a row. Moore, meanwhile, went goalless against the Bulldogs, with 10 possessions and four marks.
PREDICTION: Collingwood by 12 points
