A SLOW START has cost Richmond dearly in Sunday’s clash against Collingwood, with the Tigers falling to an 18.14 (122) to 11.12 (78) defeat in front of 70,802 fans at the MCG.
The Magpies exploded out of the blocks and held a 56-point lead late in the second term, but Richmond dug deep and put in a much more competitive second half to eventually go down by 44 points.
Shane Tuck (29 possessions) and Nathan Foley fought bravely all day, as did Matthew Richardson up forward. The big spearhead kicked just one goal, but his hard work went largely unrewarded.
Skipper Kane Johnson was also prominent with 27 touches and seven clearances, while Will Thursfield had an engrossing tussle with Anthony Rocca, who kicked three goals.
Heath Shaw was excellent for the Pies, leading all players with 33 touches.
Rocca led Thursfield to the ball to kick the first goal of the match, but Kayne Pettifer kicked what was to be his side’s only goal for the term when Nick Maxwell gave away a 50-metre penalty.
Richardson found himself outnumbered whenever the ball came into his forward zone, with the Magpies mopping up the loose ball to counter-attack effectively.
Collingwood was giving its own forwards good service with Leon Davis, Travis Cloke and first-gamer Jack Anthony, a late inclusion for Ben Reid, all getting on the scoreboard as the Pies opened up a 25-point lead at the first break.
Kel Moore was unfortunate to give away a free to Cloke right in front of goal in the opening minute of the second quarter, but Richardson did well to reply soon after with a slick snap under close attention from Alan Toovey.
Just as in the first term, however, the Magpies, who were running and creating more space, were able to put on a blistering display with five unanswered goals, including Anthony’s second with just his second kick at the elite level.
At 56 points down in the shadows of half-time, the situation looked grim for the Tigers, but they showed commendable grit and determination to kick the last two goals of the stanza to trim the margin to 44 points.
Jake King and Chris Newman did the damage, and they remained prominent as the Richmond resurgence continued after the break.
Brett Deledio was moved into the middle from the forward line and helped his side gain the upper hand around the stoppages. Goals to Nathan Brown and Mitch Morton reduced the margin to 31 points, giving the Tiger Army reason to find full voice.
That would be as close as Richmond could come, however, with the Pies rediscovering the running game that served them so well in the first half.
A brilliant goal to Dale Thomas halted Richmond’s run, but Collingwood was unable to break away as in the first half with majors to Adam Pattison, Richard Tambling and Pettifer keeping the Tigers within 35 points at the final change.
The first goal of the last quarter was a must for the Tigers if they were going to mount a late charge, but Paul Medhurst did the job for the Magpies. Richmond fought to the end, with Pattison kicking the last goal of the match.
On the injury front, Graham Polak was concussed in the third quarter and Jay Schulz rolled an ankle, but both managed to finish the match.
Pettifer was reported for making high contact with Nick Maxwell in the second term.
Collingwood 5.2 11.7 15.9 18.14 (122)
Richmond 1.1 4.5 9.10 11.12 (78)
GOALS
Collingwood: Rocca 3, Medhurst 3, Thomas 3, Cloke 2, Anthony 2, Davis, Maxwell, Fraser, Johnson, Wood
Richmond: Pettifer 2, Pattison 2, Richardson, King, Newman, Brown, Morton, Tambling, Polak
BEST
Collingwood: H. Shaw, Medhurst, Lockyer, R. Shaw, Thomas, Davis
Richmond: Foley, Johnson, Tuck
INJURIES
Collingwood: Nil
Richmond: Polak (concussion)
Reports: Pettifer (Richmond) reported for striking Maxwell (Collingwood) by umpire Nicholls in the second quarter
Umpires: Margetts, Nicholls, McInerney
Official crowd: 70,802 at the MCG
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
