ROUND 1 - RICHMOND defeated COLLINGWOOD - M.C.G. (HOME) 28.3.04 RICHMOND - 2.5 6.7 11.9 14.13 (97) COLLINGWOOD - 1.2 3.3 5.6 8.9 (57) GOALS - Richmond: Richardson 5, Brown 2, Rodan, Zantuck, Coughlan, Hall, A.Kellaway, Krakouer, Tivendale. Collingwood: Didak 2, Woewodin 2, Johnson, Tarrant, Buckley, Davis. BEST - Richmond: Richardson, Tivendale, Coughlan, Johnson, Brown, Campbell, Morrison. Collingwood: Buckley, Licuria, Woewodin, Fraser, Clement, Wakelin. INJURIES - Richmond: Nil. UMPIRES: Vozzo, Allen, McInerney. ATTENDANCE: 55,622 Well after all the supposed "crises" the past few weeks with boardroom resignations and Tony Jewell coming out in the press lambasting Frawley's coaching, how good was that! Not just because we went out there and flattened Collingwood (that's always fun) but moreso the positive way we played - direct quality footy. That's what we as Tiger supporters have been craving for. The game began with Richmond lining up pretty much as expected. Otto in the ruck with Cogs, Cambo and Johnson in the centre, Richo at full forward in his new "stay-at-home" role along side Brown with new boy Shane Morrison at CHF and Gas on Tarrant. The first passage of play didn't go to plan with Buckley awarded a free kick which 30 seconds later resulted in him being on the end of a handball and sloting through the first goal of season 2004. That was it for the Pies as they didn't get a chance to trouble the scorers for the rest of the quarter as Richmond began to take control all over the park. Otto was dominating in the ruck and this gave the Tiger midfielders first use of the footy as we continually pumped the ball inside 50. However, we wasted many of chances to set up a good lead either through breaking down on the last kick or kicking points. Goals to Brown and then Hall close to quarter time gave Richmond a 9 point lead. The second and third quarters were mostly a repeat of the first with Richmond in total control yet not completely punishing Collingwood on the scoreboard given the dominance the Tigers had in general play. Most pleasing was our intensity at the ball or opponent with the ball as our tackling was ferocious lead surprisingly in that department by Krakouer. This made it very difficult for Collingwood to get their hands on the footy or play with an sense of cohesion. The Tigers subsequently were able to extend their lead to 22 then 39 points at half and three-quarter times respectively. Richmond went to sleep in the initial parts of the last quarter allowing Collingwood to get a couple of easy centre clearances and goals. As a response, Otto was moved back into the ruck to replace Stafford and from then on Richmond regained control of the game once more and ran out comfortable winners by 40 points to the delight of the Tiger faithful. < BACK >