Dustin Martin tackles Jordan De Goey during Thursday night's draw. Picture: AFL Photos

THURSDAY night's blockbuster AFL clash between Collingwood and Richmond was the most-watched free-to-air home and away game in a decade.

It was also the highest-rating Thursday night match ever, coinciding with football's return from the COVID-19 shutdown, with 81 days passing between rounds one and two.

ALL SQUARE Full match coverage and stats

The Magpies and Tigers fought out a draw in a 10-goal slugfest after Nathan Buckley's Collingwood kicked the opening four majors.

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 06:38

    Highlights: Collingwood v Richmond

    The Magpies and Tigers clash in round two

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  • 01:14

    Special moment for Higgins after goal-line drama

    Jack Higgins marks his inspiring return to footy with a wonderful snap on his left following a controversial score review

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  • 00:41

    Knock-on Tiger kings at their best

    Richmond use some of their creative taps to help the ball forward to Tom Lynch for a much-needed goal

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  • 00:18

    Mayne man lands a stunner

    Chris Mayne hauls in a fantastic grab after leaping on top of Jack Higgins

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  • 00:54

    Hot Pies too slick to handle

    Collingwood transition the ball forward with great composure and earn a superb team goal through Tom Phillips

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  • 00:29

    Sweet Adams' whack welcomes footy back

    Taylor Adams snares the opening goal of the game with a delightful snap on the run

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  • 01:03

    Players kneel down in symbolic support

    The AFL players and umpires all down on one knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement

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  • 01:21

    Match Preview: Collingwood v Richmond

    Nathan Brown and Matthew Richardson preview the Collingwood v Richmond blockbuster at the MCG

    AFL

Channel Seven's average national audience was 1.275 million, including 1.02 million in metropolitan areas and 273,000 regionally, while Fox Footy's broadcast attracted 342,000 viewers.

Seven's average metropolitan viewership (1.02 million) dwarfed the NRL's corresponding figure of 394,000, with Melbourne's audience (668,000) trumping the NRL's national viewers (619,000).

Channel Seven managing director and head of network sport Lewis Martin said: "Last night just underlines how much Aussies love their footy and how glad we all are to finally have it back."

02:57

Watch the last two minutes: Coll v Rich

Enjoy the thrilling final moments between the Magpies and the Tigers

"We've worked tirelessly for the past three months on some exciting technical innovations and on-air initiatives to further enhance our broadcast for fans at home.

"But the footy will always be at the core of everything we do and we can't wait to bring fans what shapes as a compelling season."

Seven's broadcast included fake crowd noise to compensate for the empty stands and introduced a "Fan Zone", which brought fans into the coverage while they watched from home.

Cardboard cutouts of fans were used behind the goals. Picture: AFL Photos

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said the TV numbers were "massive" and that Seven "did an excellent job". 

The AFL has agreed to revised deals with Channel Seven and Foxtel, with the Telstra arrangement remaining unchanged.

McLachlan said the revised five-year deal with Seven for 2020-2024 was for $730 million, at an average of $146 million per year for free-to-air rights.

"We have revised our deals on the basis we missed a number of rounds this year and we spread that over three (years), so we are pretty comfortable with where we've landed," he told 3AW radio.

"It's a fair deal and it gives us certainty on how we will go forward."

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