Richmond vs Collingwood - Round 2

[Hellenic Tiger]

Carlton = filth
Collingwood = scums
Essendon = bums


Rate them or not the filth will be top 4 this year.

[one-eyed]

Hardwick laments big-stage meltdown
Matt Murnane
April 6, 2012


RICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick says his team handled the build-up to round one, but not the occasion, and admits the Tigers can't afford another big-stage meltdown against Collingwood tomorrow night.

Although the 44-point margin against Carlton did not do the Tigers' hunger and defensive effort justice, Hardwick conceded his team failed to execute and lacked composure in front of the big crowd when it came time to score.

The Tigers were the worst team in round one for kicking efficiency in the ''attacking-midfield'' section of the ground, finding their target only 53 per cent of the time, compared with the league average of 66 per cent.

Richmond's ball use and decision-making helped the club flourish through an impressive NAB Cup campaign, but taking on the Blues in front of 75,000 fans at the MCG proved a tougher proposition, and Hardwick's men face a similar challenge tomorrow night.

''The hype was there last week, no doubt, from an outside perception,'' he said. ''Inside we felt as though we handled it OK, but probably didn't on the night play how we wanted to play. Our offence killed our defence.

''The way we moved the ball, the way we controlled the ball, was nothing like we'd worked on over the course of the summer or played with during the NAB Cup.

''So we will be looking to rectify that and hopefully the game changes as a result.''

How they move the ball forward is one thing Hardwick knows the Tigers must get right if they are to prove themselves worthy contenders against the league's powerhouse teams.

Richmond lost every game it played against the top five teams last year.

''It was a thing we probably didn't cope overly well with last year,'' Hardwick said.

''The top four to six sides, I think we generally went down by about 10 goals, so that's something we're looking to rectify.''

The Tigers were competitive for most of last week's season opener against the Blues and could have been within a kick had Dustin Martin nailed a gettable set shot in the final term.

But from that point on, the Tigers ''went to sleep'' and lost the contested possession count 19 to four.

As well as the contested ball, keeping emotions in check will be paramount tomorrow night, and it's why Hardwick made a special point of talking to small forward Jake King, who has a history of run-ins with the Pies.

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/hardwick-laments-bigstage-meltdown-20120405-1wfk8.html#ixzz1rBVDtg8g

[one-eyed]

Damien Hardwick says Tigers can beat Collingwood

Eliza Sewell
From:Herald Sun
April 06, 2012


DAMIEN Hardwick has "no doubt" Richmond can beat Collingwood at the MCG tomorrow night, but he knows the Tigers must tick off a long list of "things to do" before that happens.

The Tigers were disappointing in their 44-point Round 1 loss to Carlton, but Hardwick hoped his side could turn it around against the Pies, who are again without captain Nick Maxwell.

"No doubt (we can win)," a confident Hardwick said.

"Even at stages last year - we played them Round 4, I think it was, last year - and we had a seven-goal quarter against them. We were well and truly in the game, I think, at three-quarter time. We were down by three goals, maybe four.

"They managed to overrun us in the end (by 71 points), but we've got no doubt we can compete at the level required."

That Richmond to-do list includes: winning the contested ball, slowing the game down, Tyrone Vickery taking a "bloody mark", and stopping Travis Cloke, Chris Dawes, Scott Pendlebury and Dane Swan.

"We've got to curtail Cloke and Dawes; they're two really good players ... and their midfield, Pendlebury, Swan, theses type of players, are guys who our guys will look up to, so it's an enormous challenge for them to try and beat those guys," he said.

Hardwick said his Tigers would get physical with Pendlebury and Swan.

"It is very hard to tag those guys one out these days. With 130 rotations, you're struggling to contain those players. There'll be various players go through them at stages throughout the night," he said.

"They're on the move very well, (Darren) Jolly's a very good ruckman. They're on the move, so we'll look to try and, like most sides, body check them as much as we can.

''But Pendlebury's hands are elite, they're probably one of the best in the competition. He can manage to go through on the fly, then grab that ball on the way through. Look, he's a tough opponent, but we'll certainly look at something."

Hardwick said his key-position defenders were young and inexperienced, but he had faith Dylan Grimes and Alex Rance could do the job on Cloke and Dawes.

Vickery had a shocker last week, but the coach backed his tall.

"He was disappointing," Hardwick said. "He probably had his hands on five or six balls. They just didn't drop."

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/afl/more-news/damien-hardwick-says-tigers-can-beat-collingwood/story-e6frf9jf-1226319745572

[one-eyed]

The view from the other side....


Preview: Magpies v Tigers
By David Natoli
collingwoodfc.com.au
Thu 05 Apr, 2012


The 2012 season is shaping up to be a very competitive and open race, with a number of teams improving drastically over the preseason. To add to the drama, both of last year’s Grand Final sides lost their round one games and sit outside the top eight.

The round two matchup against Richmond becomes quite an important and tricky match considering the tough draw the Magpies have and the slow start to the year thus far.

Richmond had a disappointing round one result against Carlton after a big build up. Nevertheless, the truth is that the Tigers played quite well but were just exposed for class and depth on the night. I think Damien Hardwick would take a lot out of the match and would be pleased with the intensity the Tigers displayed.

I think Collingwood can also take some positives out of its loss to Hawthorn in round one. The Magpies at times dominated play and were good around the stoppages. Inaccuracy and an undermanned defence cost Collingwood significantly, but overall it was a high quality match between two top four sides.

The four points on offer this Saturday night becomes very important for both Collingwood and Richmond. Starting the season with two losses will put either side on the back foot immediately. So let’s delve into the analysis.
 
Recent History
 Collingwood has won the previous four encounters against Richmond by an average of 72.5 points. The more mature and experience bodies of the Magpies have proved destructive against the Tigers.
 
However, these two sides have not met since round four 2011 and the Tigers have developed a lot since that time. In this match, Dane Swan polled three votes with a 33 disposal and four goal game. Dale Thomas polled two votes with 26 disposals and two goals, whilst Deledio snuck in for a vote with 33 disposals. Cloke and Sidebottom each chipped in with three goals each.

Where the Game can be won and lost
 After watching both sides play in their respective round one matches, the biggest difference between these two sides is defence.

Despite Richmond’s obvious improvement, the defence still looks out of its depth. Carlton’s big men were able to take numerous marks and its dangerous small forwards were dominant. Debutants Morris and Ellis were forced to take key matchups on Betts and Garlett, whilst Rance, Grimes and Post competed strongly but are often out-muscled by the talls.

The task does not get easier for the young Tigers defence as they will face Cloke, Dawes and Jolly, along with exciting youngster Jackson Paine. Cloke is on fire at the moment and is proving too strong for all defenders.

Nonetheless, Richmond’s forward press and midfield pressure was impressive. The team is defending much better as a whole.
 
The Tigers were also quite impressive at times out of the centre and around the stoppages. Martin, Cotchin, Deledio and Foley are a terrific on-ball unit and can get on top. The Tigers will consider that their best chance of winning will be by winning the contested footy. This is a tough ask against one of the best midfields in the competition.
 
If Richmond  can get the momentum out of the middle, Jack Riewoldt and the dangerous small forwards will get an opportunity to kick a winning score.

However, this will count for very little if Cloke and Dawes are able to monster the Richmond defence as Collingwood will simply pump it long and expose mis-matches. With Tarrant and Maxwell potentially returning, the Magpies will feel that its defence will be able to hold Richmond to a greater extent than the Tigers can contain the monster Collingwood forwards.

Key Players
 
Collingwood
 Chris Dawes - Dawes looks fitter in 2012 and will again play the important buffer role for Travis Cloke. He is also being asked to assist in the ruck when required. However, his marking needs significant improvement. His goal-kicking was also off on Friday night against Hawthorn. He had the chance in the first quarter to get Collingwood to an early lead but failed to convert. Dawes is still a vital component of the Magpies structure, but I feel he can take his game to another level if he can improve his marking.  It is a good chance for him to gain confidence. A firing Chris Dawes makes the whole Collingwood side a lot better.
 
Scott Pendlebury - Scott rarely gets a wrap in my previews. Simply put, his output goes without saying. However, he was incredible against Hawthorn in round one and is now the outright favourite for the Brownlow Medal in my eyes. What was noticeable was his contested overhead marking. Nathan Buckley has always commented that the one area of his game that needed work was his contested marking, and the early signs are promising. At 190cm tall, he is taller and stronger than most midfield opponents. He is incredibly difficult to tag because his work-rate is so high and he gets good supply from Ball and Swan, as well as having an ability to win his own ball. He has become the complete player.
 
Steele Sidebottom - Many are tipping this to be the year where Steele establishes himself as an A grade player and a core component of the Collingwood midfield. He is nearly there, and his pre-season has been good. He was against good against Hawthorn, but his game still has another level to go to in my opinion. He missed three gettable opportunities against Hawthorn which proved costly. Sidebottom is one of the fittest and hardest working players on Collingwood’s list and he is on the verge of really becoming a match-winner. Watch for him to impress this weekend.

X-Factor - Jarryd Blair
 Blair was one of Collingwood’s better players in round one with 20 disposals and three goals. I felt as if he stagnated a bit towards the end of 2011, but he looks ready to really take his game to a new level in 2012. He has an important role in the Collingwood side considering the absence of Macaffer and Krakouer, as well as Alan Didak. He is therefore required to play as a small forward and also assist in the midfield rotations.

Richmond
 Trent Cotchin - Cotchin was the dominant player in the opening half against Carlton last weekend. So much so that Carlton was forced to switch the Carrazzo tag from Martin onto Cotchin. Cotchin was able to respond by moving forward and kicking two goals.  He has the opportunity to really set the game alight. He rarely makes a mistake by foot and wins a lot of contested footy. His work in tandem with Dustin Martin provides the future for the Richmond football club.

Ivan Maric - The man with the mullet has had an immediate impact at Tigerland. He is far from the most talented ruckman in the competition, but he has a red hot go and he gives his talented midfield a chance of winning clearances. His match-up against Darren Jolly on Saturday night will be a telling contest considering both rucks have genuine star midfielders around them. Maric will need to be accountable as Jolly is one of the best at pushing forward for a goal. His return of 25 hitouts and 18 possessions in his debut game for Richmond was a solid return and he will need to do much of the same this weekend.

Brett Deledio - With the recruitments of Brandon Ellis and Steven Morris, Deledio will spend the majority of 2012 in the midfield as opposed to across half back. It is a role many have been waiting for as he is a damaging player and his leadership is required on the ball. He has an ability to kick a long goal and the speed to break a game open. He has been solid across half back for years now, but the Tigers need their best players in the action as he will allow Martin and Cotchin more time to rotate forward to keep fresh.

X-Factor - Jack Riewoldt
 It is hard to preview a Richmond game without putting some emphasis on the Tiger champ. He had a quiet opening game yet still managed four goals and was instrumental in keeping Richmond in the game. With Tarrant likely to return this weekend, Riewoldt faces a tough match-up. He gets greater assistance now from Vickery and Miller, but is still the main hope up forward and is still the core target going inside 50. Nonetheless, Riewoldt is showing a greater willingness to move higher up the field to provide a target. If Tarrant does return, Riewoldt would be well advised to work him high up the ground to try and expose a lack of match fitness. Jack had every injury known to man in 2011 but has returned much fitter in 2012.

The Wrap Up
 Collingwood will not be overly fazed by its round one defeat to Hawthorn. However, a loss to Richmond in round two may send some early alarm bells. Richmond fans on the other hand were very disappointed after the loss to Carlton, but will be quick to forgive if the Tigers can cause an upset on Saturday.

It is too early in the year to declare a game an eight point match, but the stakes are fairly high already. Richmond in my opinion is closing the gap quickly, but the Magpies should still prove too strong and eventually overrun a spirited Tiger outfit.

I think Travis Cloke will be the decisive factor. Richmond will undoubtedly have periods of the match where it gains momentum. Its midfield is very talented and is able to get a run on. However, Collingwood’s defensive structures are well equipped to stem the tide and then counter attack.
 
http://www.collingwoodfc.com.au/newsfeatures/news/newsarticle/tabid/5586/newsid/132365/default.aspx

[Penelope]

DAMIEN Hardwick has "no doubt" Richmond can beat Collingwood at the MCG tomorrow

Not too much doubt people will pick up on this, while disregarding,

but he knows the Tigers must tick off a long list of "things to do" before that happens.

[Smokey]

The "view from the other side" was a very objective and reasonable analysis (preview) of the game - far better than the standard fare dished up by the 'unbiased' general media.

[Phil Mrakov]

Pies fans have penciled this in as a win and are already talking about Carlton next week. Dimma should use it as ammo.

[one-eyed]

Magpies have frugal plan to tame Tigers

    by: COURTNEY WALSH
    From: The Australian
    April 07, 2012

VICTORY aside, Nathan Buckley has set an obvious goal for Collingwood in tonight's match against Richmond, that being a return to the miserliness that was a feature of its past two seasons.

Buckley was affronted by the ease with which Hawthorn cut through his team's defence in the season-opener last week, with the Hawks scoring 37 times to prevail by 22 points in the fast-paced encounter.

That resulted from Hawthorn's strength through the midfield, which allowed it to move the ball swiftly into its potent attack.

For the most part last Friday, the bogeyman was Buddy Franklin, yet Richmond too possesses a forward terror in Jack Riewoldt, as Buckley noted yesterday.

History suggests that is hardly a concern if Collingwood can play anywhere near its level of the past three years. Last April, Riewoldt managed four goals yet his side was beaten by 71 points.

On a wintry July day in 2009, Riewoldt kicked a third of Richmond's score. That, though, is somewhat paltry given the Tigers could kick only six when pulverised by 82 points. In 2009 it was worse, with Riewoldt restricted to one in the Pies' 93-point win.

While Buckley might well be concerned - understandable given he is yet to post a maiden win as senior coach - this combined with the return of full-back Chris Tarrant emphasises just how big a challenge the Tigers face at the MCG.

"Having 'Tazz' through our defensive rotations is important," Buckley said. "It adds a bit of experience and steel."

Tarrant does not necessarily loom as the logical choice for Riewoldt even given the continued absence of Collingwood skipper Nick Maxwell, who will not play at VFL level this weekend either as he recovers from an ankle problem.

While well-beaten by Carlton last week in a loss that dented the hope garnered through a promising pre-season, Richmond's defeat does not read as disastrous given the Blues' thumping of Brisbane on Thursday night.

That Chris Judd and Marc Murphy were again outstanding gives Richmond's midfield something of an out as well, though Scott Pendlebury and Dane Swan are hardly slouches either.

Though Carlton, which did not win in the pre-season, has underlined the folly of assessing form in February and March too seriously, Buckley did note that both Tyrone Vickery and Brad Miller had performed well in support of Riewoldt through this time.

He expects the pair, who managed just one goal between them from six kicks against Carlton, to respond strongly. Vickery in particular is likely to be vigorous after coach Damien Hardwick's assessment that "it would have been good if he'd taken a bloody mark" in an outing described as his worst for the Tigers.

"Richmond have been playing the three talls and Vickery, Riewoldt and Miller have been as good as any through the NAB Cup," Buckley said.

"Miller, in particular, (his) form up and around that front half has been quite damaging. Although Carlton were able to hold both Miller and Vickery for times last week, we expect that they'll want to bounce back pretty quickly, so it's going to be important early in the match to try and keep that ascendancy."

He also said a Richmond midfield including Brett Deledio, Trent Cotchin and Dustin Martin has the ability to cause problems, though Buckley's example comes from the dodgy form period of the NAB Cup.

"Richmond's form in the pre-season was excellent. They moved the ball really well," Buckley said.

"You only had to look at the performance against Geelong down at Skilled Stadium to see what they are capable of when they do get to play the game on their own terms.

"Defensively, (the aim) is to try and take that away from them."

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/afl/magpies-have-frugal-plan-to-tame-tigers/story-fnca0u4y-1226320738590

[Tigermonk]

Moving onto the Pies game...

Collingwood are getting Micky Malthouse to do a lap of the ground before the game. If we beat them they might beg him to come back  .

we need Like buttons on the site 

[Tigermonk]

looking forward to this game, gut tells me its going to be very close or a huge upset . l'm going to this game with a feeling the Tigers can snatch this game away from the skunks.  We can do it.     

[one-eyed]

Nahas will be the sub tonight.


Collingwood v Richmond, MCG, 7.40pm
NO LATE CHANGES

FINAL INTERCHANGES
Collingwood: Chris Tarrant, Scott Pendlebury, Dayne Beams
Substitute: Paul Seedsman

Richmond: Daniel Jackson, Reece Conca, Nathan Foley
Substitute: Robin Nahas

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/132387/default.aspx

[mightytiges]

You've got to kick those Jack.

[mightytiges]

Another miss 

Sloppy footskills inside 50 

[Dubstep Dookie]

Another miss 

Sloppy footskills inside 50 

Yup

[mightytiges]

Another turnover from a cross ground pass  . Grimes' fault.

Ellis had to go harder 

Lucky bounce gifts the Pies the first goal.

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