Collingwood and Richmond in race for finals with only one spot on the table Matt Windley
From: Herald Sun
May 28, 2013 HISTORY says Collingwood and Richmond are fighting for one finals berth.
Only three times in the past decade has more than one team forced its way into the eight after this stage of the season.
Richmond and Collingwood are 10th and 11th respectively, while the historical hurdle is even worse news for North Melbourne, currently 13th.
Collingwood great Peter Daicos yesterday said he was sure the Magpies would come good, despite their bad loss to Sydney on Friday night.
"No doubt, like a lot of teams, they rely on playing at their very best," Daicos said.
"But at their best they're one of the best teams and I've got no doubt about that."
Richmond's 1980 premiership coach Tony Jewell said the Tigers were on track, despite a last-start loss to Essendon.
"They ran Fremantle to a point over there and beat Carlton," Jewell said.
"And all of a sudden they've got two young blokes who have emerged, (Brandon) Ellis and (Nick) Vlastuin, and I reckon they're genuine players.
"You add those to (Trent) Cotchin, (Brett) Deledio, (Dustin) Martin and (Nathan) Foley and I've just got a good feeling.
"If their centre half-forward, (Tyrone) Vickery - he's only young and I'm a bit of a wrap for him - can really start influencing games then they're in with a chance."
Only twice in the past 11 years have three teams climbed in to the eight after Round 9 - in 2009 and 2012.
On both occasions those teams filled spots nine, 10 and 11 on the ladder after Round 9 and trailed eighth spot by a game or less.
Daicos said the Pies' true standing would be clearer once they had played every team.
Collingwood is yet to play Brisbane Lions (Friday), Melbourne (Rd 11), Western Bulldogs (Rd 12), Port Adelaide (Rd 14), Gold Coast (Rd 17), Greater Western Sydney (Rd 18) and meets both Adelaide (Rd 16) and West Coast (Rd 22) at the MCG.
"Clearly the draw is going to be in their favour," Daicos said.
"And the one thing that stands out having still to play those teams at the lower end of the ladder is that you could easily run in to some consistent football week-in, week-out.
"I think it's a favourable run home for them. They've had a couple of their key players out as well."
TAB has Collingwood $1.25 to make the finals, and Richmond a $1.75 chance - ahead of Adelaide (seventh) $1.80 and North Melbourne $5.
http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/collingwood-and-richmond-in-race-for-finals-with-only-one-spot-on-the-table/story-fndv8g1a-1226651669928#mm-breached
