MATCH REPORT: WAYWARD PIES WIN BLOCKBUSTER AT THE ‘GRonny Lerner
HeraldSun
April 1, 2023New premiership favourites Collingwood have overcome a horrible goalkicking display to maintain their undefeated start to the season with a gritty 14-point win over Richmond at the MCG on Friday night.
But the victory came at a cost for the Magpies with Darcy Cameron subbed out at three-quarter time with a knee injury.
It was a far cry from the freewheeling style of the Magpies’ first two games this year, and in front of 85,241 fans – the third biggest home-and-away crowd between these two famous clubs - alarming inaccuracy prevented Collingwod from ending the contest early. The Pies registered 13 of the first 14 scores, but could only manage 3.10 and a lead of just 22 points in the second quarter.
Richmond, who were missing Dustin Martin (hamstring), Jacob Hopper (knee), Nathan Broad (suspension) and Jayden Short (calf), then subbed Noah Cumberland in at half-time, at the expense of Samson Ryan, and the small forward had an instant impact, setting up the Tigers’ next two goals.
Richmond ramped up the pressure, and after managing just one goal from 21 inside-50s in the first half, their forward efficiency skyrocketed as they helped themselves to the first three majors of the third term to slash the deficit to three points.
But rather than drop their bundle after having little to show for their domination of general play, Collingwood regrouped and responded strongly, booting the next four goals, including two to Jamie Elliott, to open up a game-high 28-point lead at three-quarter time.
A couple of quick goals from Jack Riewoldt and Tom Lynch in the final term gave the Tigers a glimmer of hope, but Collingwood never looked seriously troubled, and when Dan McStay drilled a set shot with less than five minutes to go, the result was put to bed.
Jordan De Goey was outstanding with 35 disposals (15 contested), 10 clearances and eight inside-50s, and the Nick Daicos tag failed again. After the reigning Rising Star towelled up Port Adelaide’s Lachie Jones last week, he did a similar job on Jack Graham this week, accruing 33 touches.
Meanwhile, Billy Frampton played the best game of his career, keeping Lynch to just one goal, which was scored midway through the final term.
After smashing Port Adelaide in contested possessions by 57 last week, Collingwood produced a similarly strong showing in that department again, thumping Richmond by 23 (161-138 ). The Pies also dominated the forward entries (59-41) but poor goalkicking cost them a bigger win.
PENDLES RISES TO THE TOPLate in the third quarter, with Collingwood on a roll, the evergreen Scott Pendlebury joined the party with considerable class as he gathered the loose ball deep in attack and weaved his way through, not one, not two, but three Tigers in Noah Balta, Daniel Rioli and Nick Vlastuin, before snapping truly from the top of the goal square to extend the Magpies’ lead to 22 points.
LYNCH LETS OFF PIESShortly after, Richmond spearhead Tom Lynch had a couple of chances to cut back the margin, but the big Tiger missed a pair of straightforward set shots in the space of a couple of minutes to cap off a dirty night for the reigning best-and-fairest who was well held by Billy Frampton.
TIGERS’ HISTORIC LOWRichmond’s half-time score of 1.3.9 was their lowest since Round 19, 2016 (1.2.8 against GWS) and their worst against Collingwood since Round 10, 1955 (1.2.8 ).
HARDWICK MILESTONEDamien Hardwick became the first man in VFL/AFL history to coach Richmond in 300 games on Friday night. He’s also the club’s second-most successful coach, guiding the Tigers to three premierships, one shy of the great Tom Hafey who oversaw four flags between 1967-74.
SCOREBOARDMAGPIES 2.6, 3.10, 7.15, 8.15 (63)
TIGERS 1.0, 1.3, 4.5, 7.7 (49)
LERNER’S BEST
Magpies: De Goey, N.Daicos, Frampton, Sidebottom, Elliott, J.Daicos, Pendlebury.
Tigers: Baker, Bolton, Ross, Taranto, D.Rioli
GOALS
Magpies: Elliott 2, Hill, Mihocek, Johnson, J.Daicos, Pendlebury, McStay.
Tigers: Riewoldt 2, Bolton, Mansell, Clarke, Lynch, Ross.
INJURIES
Magpies: Cameron (knee), Mihocek (cut eyebrow).
Tigers: Nil.
UMPIRES: Fisher, Stephens, Heffernan, Mollison
VENUE: MCG
CROWD: 85,241
PLAYER OF THE YEAR- LERNER’S VOTES3 Jordan De Goey (Coll)
2 Billy Frampton (Coll)
1 Nick Daicos (Coll)
https://www.codesports.com.au/afl/afl-collingwood-vs-richmond-all-the-news-from-friday-night-footy-at-the-mcg/news-story/85d72f55f5f8da7d8c6276a9b282ca1d