The Magpies went in to the last quarter 23 points down, but kicking with the aid of the breeze, got to within six points with time remaining. However Richmond held sway in the final minutes of what was the shortest quarter of the match, with the final score 10.12 (72) to 9.11 (65).
Pies fans will be happy to know that no injuries came out of what was Collingwood’s final hit out before the round one clash with the Kangaroos on Saturday 31 March at the MCG, meaning a near full-strength squad should be available for selection in a fortnight’s time.
After falling behind early, the Magpies hit back in the second term with some hard running and attacking football. A freakish Travis Cloke goal right on half time cut the margin to three points – 6.4 (40) to 5.7 (37), after Richmond opened up a 10-point break at the first change.
Cloke presented well all night and worked very hard for his team across half forward, another sign that he is ready to take the next step for the Magpies in 2007.
Paul Licuria was also excellent, displaying typical determination and ferocity across half forward and in the midfield. After a strong finish to 2006, he showed he is primed to reproduce his best football for the club this season.
Other good performers for the Magpies were Tarkyn Lockyer, who started down back but impressed with his efforts all night, even when he went to half forward in the second half, while Rhyce Shaw also put in a performance to hearten Magpie fans. His run and carry out of defence, particularly in the second half, was encouraging.
Harry O’Brien, playing his first game for the Magpies since suffering a punctured lung in the pre-season cup match against the Kangaroos three weeks ago, played on Kayne Pettifer and impressed with his creative run out of the back half and defensive pressure, while the skilful Leon Davis continues to evolve as a player capable of finding plenty of the ball in the midfield.
Collingwood 1.4, 5.7, 5.10, 9.11 (65)
Richmond 3.2, 6.4, 9.9, 10.12 (72)
Goals - Collingwood: Cloke 2, Lockyer 2, Licuria 2, Shaw, Bryan, Rocca. Richmond: Brown 4, Tuck, Bowden, Polak, Schultz, Foley, Tivendale.
Best - Collingwood: Licuria, Lockyer, Cloke, O’Brien, R.Shaw. Richmond: Brown, Johnson, Pattison, Bowden.
Injuries: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: McBurney, Nicholls, Sully
Crowd: 10,733 at Quandong Park, Red Cliffs
