WITH a Thursday night masterclass, Jordan De Goey sent a message to anybody planning to stop him this season: good luck.

If last year was the Collingwood star's breakout season, then 2019, on early impressions, could see the brilliant Magpie step up to the true elite of the competition.

It is only round two, but De Goey's intentions to become one of the game's best are patently clear.

PIES KEEP BRAGGING RIGHTS Full match details and stats

He was brilliant in the Pies' methodical and clinical 44-point win over Richmond at the MCG, booting five goals in a typically dynamic display.

Playing deep in attack, the No.5 draft pick jumped high for marks, was clean at ground level, converted his shots and showed why clubs were throwing millions of dollars at him last year when he was out of contract.

In reality, they should have thrown more – and he is worth it.

But De Goey wasn't alone for the Pies, who outplayed the out-of-sorts Tigers to post their first win of the season, a comfortable 17.8 (110) to 10.6 (66) victory.

NEW RECORD Pies' first-half masterclass

Recruit Dayne Beams, back in the black and white, gathered 36 disposals, Adam Treloar was influential in the midfield with 37 touches, and Chris Mayne was excellent with 33.  

Defensive pair Jeremy Howe and Jordan Roughead cleaned up in the backline, pulling in a combined 27 marks, while Jack Crisp was also terrific with 32 disposals.  

This was not as dominant a win as the last time the sides met – that preliminary final stunner delivered by American import Mason Cox will go down in footy folklore  – but the Pies still controlled proceedings throughout.

High-profile recruit Tom Lynch was among the Tigers' best, working hard and booting three goals for his efforts, but there were few other winners in an unusually panicked and disorganised display.

Collingwood held the advantage in a first term that was full of run and opportunities but lacking a side to put it on the scoreboard.

Cox's opening goal didn't produce a landslide of majors, with the Pies' six-point lead at the opening change coming largely through a power of work by Beams, who collected 13 disposals in the term.

'SKY'S THE LIMIT' Will De Goey move to the midfield?

Richmond coach Damien Harwick bemoaned a 'clunkyness' to his side last week, and the Tigers were rusty again, with a series of turnovers in the second term helping the Pies.

Nick Vlastuin's kick across goal was intercepted for a Brodie Mihocek major, while a Jack Riewoldt pass in the centre corridor didn't hit its target and ended in a goal to a free-running Treloar for the Pies.

When De Goey flew, marked and then spun around to kick a brilliant snap goal, the Pies had pushed to a 24-point break deep in the second term.

But three late goals to the Tigers, including one from Shane Edwards from the pocket after the half-time siren, dragged the 2017 premiers back within six points at the main break.

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Collingwood's plan was clear: chip, work and manoeuvre the ball around until ready to break. Buckley's men set the record for the most marks in a first half (99 in total) and were deliberate when moving forward.

Richmond's pressure rose in the third term to reduce those numbers, but steadying goals to De Goey and captain Scott Pendlebury allowed them to hold an 18-point lead at the final change.

FROM BAD TO WORSE Riewoldt to head for scans on wrist

If the Tigers were to get that margin back they had to strike early, but it was a clever snap out of a pack that sailed through for a goal eight minutes into the final term that all but sealed the Pies' win.

Who by? Cox. Who else?

MEDICAL ROOM
Richmond: Star goalkicker Jack Riewoldt hurt his wrist when he crashed to the ground after a marking contest early in the game. He played on but appeared in discomfort at stages. The Coleman medallist will be sent for scans to determine if there is any serious damage.

Collingwood: The Pies appeared to get through the game without any injury worries.

NEXT UP
Collingwood will host West Coast next Saturday night at the MCG in a Grand Final rematch, while Richmond will travel to face Greater Western Sydney at Giants Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

RICHMOND           2.2     6.3     9.4      10.6 (66)
COLLINGWOOD    3.2     7.3   12.4    17.8 (110)

GOALS
Richmond: Lynch 3, Higgins 2, Short 2, Edwards 2, Rioli
Collingwood: De Goey 5, Mihocek 2, Cox 2, Stephenson 2, Thomas, Treloar, Phillips, Mayne, Pendlebury, Elliott 

BEST
Richmond: Lynch, Edwards, Cotchin, Short, Martin
Collingwood: De Goey, Beams, Crisp, Treloar, Howe, Mayne, Pendlebury 

INJURIES
Richmond: Riewoldt (wrist)
Collingwood: Nil 

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Chamberlain, Foot, Gianfagna

Official crowd: 70,699 at the MCG