Collingwood used a dominant third quarter to pull away from Richmond in the opening game of the 2003 season at the MCG. The Magpies booted five goals to one in the decisive third term to turn a one-point half-time lead into a match-winning 20-point edge at the last change, and Richmond was unable to mount any fightback in the final term.

The Magpies limited Richmond to just eight goals to get their 2003 season away to the perfect start, recording a 28-point win.

Collingwood captain Nathan Buckley was brilliant, finishing with 31 disposals, and former Melbourne star Shane Woewodin was back to his Brownlow Medal best. Woewodin capped his Collingwood debut with an under-pressure running goal midway through the final quarter to put an exclamation mark on the Magpies’ win. Fellow recruit Andrew Williams also enjoyed a fine Collingwood debut, amassing 23 possessions.

Matthew Richardson got plenty of the ball but was unable to convert, finishing with one goal from seven scoring shots.

Richmond began brightly in a scrappy encounter, kicking three unanswered goals in the opening term after Shane O’Bree had opened the Magpies’ account for the season. A Ray Hall snap, Justin Blumfield goal on the run after Richardson was hit high and a snap from Richardson gave Tigers’ fans hope of an upset win.

Both teams had problems coping with the new conditions at the MCG, with Richmond unable to hit targets despite moving inside 50 on 16 occasions in the opening quarter, while Collingwood kicked seven straight behinds before Mark McGough ended the term with a goal to bring the Pies within one point.

Woewodin and Buckley were impressive in the opening quarter. Woewodin proved that he will be a valuable pick-up while Buckley picked up from where he left off on grand final day with another dominating outing.

Kane Johnson was equally good in his first game with the Tigers, gathering eight first quarter possessions, while Wayne Campbell matched Buckley with 11 disposals.

The second quarter saw both teams squander opportunities. Campbell roved a ruck contest brilliantly to produce the Tigers’ only goal of the quarter while an Alan Didak snap from the goal square accounted for Collingwood’s only major.

Matthew Richardson could convert only one of four scoring opportunities in the first half, but his six marks and 10 disposals in the first half was an encouraging sign as he seeks to regain his All-Australian form after an injury-plagued 2002.

Collingwood came out firing after half time, with Leon Davis, Jarrod Molloy and Buckley all goaling in the opening seven minutes. Molloy goaled again from a snap after 19 minutes to help celebrate his 150th AFL game and only a Mark Coughlin goal kept the Tigers from being shut out for the term. Richmond again failed to capitalise on opportunities, kicking six behinds while Collingwood booted 5.1 after registering only 3.13 in the opening half.

Any chance of a Richmond comeback was snuffed out early in the final quarter when Davis and Rupert Betheras kicked truly to extend the advantage to 33 points.


COLLINGWOOD: 2.8, 3.13, 8.14, 13.16 (94)
RICHMOND: 3.2, 4.6, 5.12, 8.18 (66)

Goals: Collingwood: Molloy, O’Bree, Didak, Davis 2, McGough, Betheras, Buckley, Williams, Woewodin. Richmond: Hall 2, Richardson, Blumfield, Campbell, Coughlan, Hilton, Gaspar.
Best: Collingwood: Buckley, Woewodin, O’Bree, Williams, Didak, Johnson, Walker. Richmond: Campbell, Johnson, Gaspar Richardson, Coughlan.
Umpires: Allen, Head, Ellis.
Crowd: 61,058
Injuries: Collingwood: Nil. Richmond: Nil.
Reports: Nil.
At the MCG.