The Match Ups:Mick Malthouse may seek to exploit the Tigers’ lack of rucking numbers by giving Guy Richards, impressive against the Eagles, game time in the middle to shine, in turn allowing Josh Fraser the freedom in attack.
Similarly, Anthony Rocca and Travis Cloke, and potentially Fraser, will be out to make the most of Terry Wallace’s shortage of tall timber down back, the Plough set to again rely on the raw Luke McGuane and Kelvin Moore to hold down the fort on higher profile opposition.
The form guide:
The Woods were dour in defeat against the might of the West Coast Eagles on foreign territory in Perth, leading at quarter time and half time, losing by only and even two goals. Anthony Rocca and Leon Davis lit up the forward line in providing seven of the side’s ten majors, and Dane Swan and Heath Shaw continued their rise to prominence.
Richmond were again valiant in defeat, although any side that concedes the opening four goals of a match will forever find it all up hill. Shane Tuck applied the clamps to Sydney’s Brett Kirk, while Matthew Richardson and Chris Hyde enjoyed handy afternoons.
Injuries:
The Magpies will again steer to caution in allowing Nathan Buckley’s hamstring every opportunity to recover, while Alan Didak is close but not quite ready to resume. Hard running midfielder Ben Johnson will also miss after hurting his ankle against the Eagles, and Ryan Lonie, another dasher from defence, may require further time in the stands to overcome groin soreness.
The Richmond ruck division will be again down to the bare threads of the part-timers once again due to the ongoing troubles faced by Troy Simmonds and Trent Knobel. Meanwhile, dynamo Nathan Brown is yet to fully recover from his infamous leg troubles.
Head to Head since 2000:
Collingwood: 4
Richmond: 7
Richmond is one club who can boast a positive win-loss aggregate against the Woods in the first decade of the new millennium. Collingwood was forced to bide its time until the 16th round of 2002 before they registered their first victory over the Tiges for the decade.
However, following that night the Pies won three of the following four clashes, including the two in 2003, Nathan Buckley and Jarrod Molloy the common denominators in both victories with sterling efforts, Bucks receiving five out of a possible six Brownlow Medal votes.
The contest staged in Heritage Round of 2004 was a nailbiter; Collingwood requiring David King to boot the match winner after his side conceded what appeared a safe lead at the final change against a Tigers outfit bound for the wooden spoon.
In recent times, Richmond have had the wood over the Maggies, fuelled by Nathan Brown’s five goal final term in ’05, before walloping us on a soggy afternoon in round 13 last season.
The X-Factors:
Collingwood: Josh Fraser and Guy Richards – in the absence of Troy Simmonds and Trent Knobel, should the two big men stand up in the ruck, the forward line can expect every chance to conjure a winning total.
Richmond: Pride – the Tigers have blown their numerous chances in the opening fortnight of ’07, and will know well and truly that the heat will be on should they again falter.
Questions to be answered:
Will Richmond continue their risky high possession game?
Can Collingwood consolidate their tidy start to the year and go 2-1?
The tip: It is the Tigers who want to create a scrappy game via their overuse of the ball from halfback and through the midfield, making it difficult for their opposition to dictate terms. However, the Pies can reverse the trend in the ruck, where, if Richards and Fraser allow their rovers first use of the Sherrin, they are destined to boot a winning score. Collingwood by 9 points.
Please note: the views expressed in the above article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Collingwood Football Club or employees of the club. The Collingwood Football Club would like to acknowledge the tireless work of its supporters who contribute to collingwoodfc.com.au.
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