Media match reports: Tigers wrap up pre-season with loss to Magpies

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Tigers wrap up pre-season with loss to Magpies

By Oliver Caffrey, AAP and Sarah Black
AFL Media
28 Feb 2024

COLLINGWOOD 2.1 5.6 8.11 10.16 (76)
RICHMOND      2.7 2.10 3.14 5.16 (46)

GOALS
Collingwood: Lipinski 2, Mihocek, Hill, De Goey, Cox, Schultz, N. Daicos, McInnes, Frampton
Richmond: Prestia, Ryan, Young, Baker, Dow

BEST
Collingwood: De Goey, N. Daicos, Quaynor, Lipinski, Hoskin-Elliott, Cox
Richmond: Taranto, Baker, Short, Martin, Naismith

INJURIES
Collingwood: Nil
Richmond: Graham (quad)

Reports: Nil

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An inaccurate Richmond began life under new coach Adem Yze with a 30-point loss to a clinical Collingwood side at Ikon Park on Tuesday night.

After a strong start in the first quarter, the young Tigers were then overwhelmed by the reigning premiers, losing the AFL community series match, 5.16 (46) to 10.16 (76).

In a bizarre conclusion to a pre-season match, Collingwood big man Mason Cox tussled with Richmond utility Marlion Pickett seconds before the siren sounded.

Other players became involved in the scuffle, allowing Billy Frampton to bomb his kick from 65m out through as no players were protecting the goal-line.

In the first AFL Charity Shield match for Foodbank, Richmond's chaotic game style gave them enough chances but their forward connection was poor.

Richmond had the chance to blow the game wide open in the first 10 minutes, but Adem Yze hasn't yet tidied up the Tigers' accuracy woes, at one stage the team leading 1.7 to one behind.

Dustin Martin was unsurprisingly lively early, with Tim Taranto and Dion Prestia finding plenty of the footy and Daniel Rioli providing the pace off half-back.

Noah Balta, who has moved from defence, and Hawthorn recruit Jacob Koschitzke had limited impact as key forwards. Koschitzke had an "almost" game, getting his hands on the ball and crashing packs, but struggling to find that polish needed at the crucial moment. His round one spot is unlikely to be in any doubt, though.

Ruck Sam Naismith was impressive both on the ball and up forward, and is ready to go for opening round should captain Toby Nankervis (foot soreness) not be declared fit.

Rebound defender Tom Brown is one who could feature for Richmond in the opening round, busy throughout the game.

Seth Campbell and Steely Green look to be playing off for the small forward role of Rhyan Mansell (ankle) – Campbell was quiet in the first half, while Green's biggest moment came when he took to the field and immediately picked a battle with Cox, a full 32cm taller.

Tom Lynch will make the Tigers significantly better when the star forward returns, confirming on the Fox Footy broadcast he is still aiming for a round one return from his long-term foot injury.

Richmond will sweat on an injury update to Jack Graham after the midfielder came from the field clutching his leg in the dying moments.

For Collingwood, premiership heroes Jordan De Goey, Nick Daicos and Josh Daicos showed no signs of off-season rust.

The only minor concern for Collingwood surrounds ruckman Darcy Cameron, who made late contact with Richmond youngster Tylar Young in the third term.

Although a 50m penalty was paid against Cameron and the incident will likely be scrutinised by the match review officer, the Magpies big man is unlikely to be suspended as the contact was minor.

The Daicos brothers and De Goey predictably impressed, but the performance of Patrick Lipinski (23 possessions, two goals) would have impressed the Magpies just as much.

After starting as the sub in last year's grand final, Lipinski has not missed a beat during the pre-season and he once again shapes as a key cog of Collingwood's midfield.

The former Western Bulldog underwent a shoulder reconstruction after the 2022 season and failed to recapture his best last year, only just hanging onto his spot for the Magpies' grand-final win against the Brisbane Lions.

Fremantle recruit Lachie Schultz was lively in his first game for the Magpies, soccering a goal through the third quarter.

The Tigers travel to the Gold Coast for their opening round game on March 9, their former coach Damien Hardwick's first match in charge of the Suns.

Collingwood also head north on March 9 for a preliminary final rematch against GWS at Giants Stadium.

https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1496688/charity-shield-match-report

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THE KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THE COLLINGWOOD V RICHMOND COMMUNITY SERIES CLASH

By Lachlan Geleit
SEN
28 Feb 2024

Yze’s game plan is clear to see but connection is currently lacking

The Tigers started Tuesday’s game brilliantly, having eight of the first nine scores of the game.

While they didn’t make Collingwood pay for their early dominance due to inaccuracy, it was a good sign that new coach Adem Yze would have loved to see.

Looking back on the Damien Hardwick era, the Tigers were renowned for their pressure and quick ball movement and that appears to also be a hallmark of Yze’s game.

One area that looked improved was Richmond’s contested game as they won the contested ball count 126-128.

Areas to work on could be their midfield/forward connection, with the Tigers not getting enough reward for getting the ball inside 50 on 51 occasions. They'd love to make more of their opportunities.

Another aspect that cost the Tigers on the night was perhaps the overuse of handball - which was no doubt partially thanks to Collingwood’s pressure. The Magpies kicked 259 times and handballed 119 times while the Tigers kicked 184 times and handballed 159 times.

Tigers don’t need to sweat if Nankervis isn’t ready for the season start

With Toby Nankervis out of Tuesday’s game with a heel issue, Richmond got a good look at the ruck combination of Sam Naismith and Samson Ryan and it didn’t disappoint.

While the Tigers will obviously welcome back their captain as soon as he’s ready to go, Naismith proved that he’s more than capable of holding down a number one ruck role in the meantime with 11 hitouts, 13 disposals and a couple of shots on goal.

He could even form a quality two-ruck pairing with Nankervis if the Tigers want to go taller in 2024.

Josh Gibcus is going to feel like a new recruit

After missing the entire 2023 season with a nightmare hamstring injury, Josh Gibcus feels like a new recruit for Richmond.

The 20-year-old spent headed to Qatar in the off-season during his path to recovery, and that has appeared to pay off after a strong performance on Tuesday.

The athletic defender finished with eight disposals but did incredibly well in the air to nullify Collingwood’s big forwards as none of their talls kicked multiple goals.

Richmond will hope that the former No. 9 pick at least doubles his career tally of 18 games in the upcoming campaign.

Other Tigers notes:

* Shai Bolton (19 disposals) again looms as a genuine superstar and he can go to the next level if he improves his finishing (zero goals, three behinds).

* Young midfielder Thomson Dow (one goal, 20 disposals) showed some great signs on the inside and could be set to become a best 22 regular.

* Tim Taranto was again at his prolific best, picking up 26 disposals in a strong performance.

https://www.sen.com.au/news/2024/02/27/the-key-takeaways-from-the-collingwood-v-richmond-community-series-clash/