Media articles and Stats: Tigers notch opening pre-season win over Magpies

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Tigers notch opening pre-season win
Jen Phelan 
afl.com.au
February 22, 2014 8:01 PM


COLLINGWOOD 0.3.0  0.7.2   0.10.4    1.10.7 (76)
RICHMOND        0.5.6  1.8.8  1.10.12  1.17.13 (124)

SUPERGOALS
Collingwood: White
Richmond: Arnot

GOALS
Collingwood: Reid 5, Cloke 3, Mooney 2
Richmond: Vickery 4, Cotchin 4, Lloyd 2, Deledio 2, S. Edwards, Griffiths, Houli, A. Edwards, McDonough

INJURIES
Collingwood: Nil
Richmond: Batchelor (lower leg)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Schmitt, Meredith, Wenn, Hay

Official crowd: 11,000 (approx) at Norm Minns Oval in Wangaratta

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A barnstorming last quarter has given Richmond its first win of the pre-season.

The Tigers were very impressive as they booted seven final quarter goals after the Pies got within five points in the third quarter to win 1.17.13 (124) to 1.10.7 (76).

Concerning for the Tigers was a lower leg injury sustained by Batchelor in the dying stages of the second quarter.

He was helped from the ground as the teams left the field for the main break and struggled to put weight on his left leg.

He didn't return after the half time break.

Ricky Petterd and Jake King played minimal minutes in their first hit-outs for the year – Petterd collecting 10 touches through the midfield before the main break and King coming on for the third quarter.

Reece Conca was outstanding in his first game back from the hamstring tendon tear he sustained in the Tigers' finals loss to Carlton last year.

He only played the first half but racked up 16 touches and won five clearances.

Brandon Ellis played well on the wing and across half-forward while Dustin Martin collected 32 disposals across half back and spent time on Scott Pendlebury in the second quarter before Trent Cotchin dominated in the fourth term.

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2014-02-22/tigers-notch-opening-preseason-win

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Reid stars but Tigers too strong for Magpies
Jennifer Phelan 
afl.com.au
February 22, 2014 7:15 PM

NATHAN Buckley's plan to play Ben Reid alongside Travis Cloke in his forward line this season has paid early dividends with the two combining for eight goals in Wangaratta's NAB Challenge match on Saturday afternoon.
 
The Magpies may have gone down to a strong-finishing Richmond side by 48 points, but the Reid-Cloke approach paid dividends when the ball was in their forward half.
 
It was Reid's first competitive hit-out for the year after the Pies took a conservative approach to his pre-season following a calf injury.
 
The Wangaratta native drew a variety of opponents with Jake Batchelor spending the most time on him in the first half and Troy Chaplin after the break.
 
But nothing could stop the 2010 premiership defender as he marked strongly, moved well and had no trouble finding the goals.
 
Cloke also looked fit as he kicked three goals despite the hard work of David Astbury.
 
Still, the Tigers were very impressive as they booted seven final quarter goals after the Pies got within five points in the third quarter to win 1.17.13 (124) to 1.10.7 (76).
 
Concerning for the Tigers was a lower leg injury sustained by Batchelor in the dying stages of the second quarter.
 
He was helped from the ground as the teams left the field for the main break and struggled to put weight on his left leg.
 
He didn't return after the half time break with the injury later revealed to be a corked calf.
 
Ricky Petterd and Jake King played minimal minutes in their first hit-outs for the year – Petterd collecting 10 touches through the midfield before the main break and King coming on for the third quarter.
 
The small forward, whose off-season has been coloured by his infamous relationship with biker Toby Mitchell, started slowly but had a few flashy moments, setting up Tyrone Vickery for one of his four goals in the third.
 
Reece Conca was outstanding in his first game back from the hamstring tendon tear he sustained in the Tigers' finals loss to Carlton last year.
 
He only played the first half but racked up 16 touches and won five clearances.
 
Brandon Ellis played well on the wing and across half-forward while Dustin Martin collected 32 disposals across half back and spent time on Scott Pendlebury in the second quarter before Trent Cotchin dominated in the fourth term.
 
For the Magpies, Dane Swan and Pendlebury found the ball often; Swan looking slim in his first game for the year as he racked up 26 possessions.
 
Alex Fasolo, also in his first game for 2014 after the foot injury that wrecked last season, played across half back and was solid.
 
Brodie Grundy rucked with the help of Quinten Lynch after the late omission of Ben Hudson and caught the eye twice in the first half for giving away 50m penalties after run-ins with Matt Thomas.



WHAT WE LEARNED
Collingwood: A fit Clinton Young is a solid acquisition for the Magpies' midfield. The ex-Hawk, whose first season in the black and white was ruined by calf and hamstring problems, impressed with some bursts out of the middle and delivery with his accurate left foot – one of which hit Ben Reid on the chest directly in front of goal. While Reid clearly looks good in attack, questions remain over whether his presence up forward robs Collingwood's backline of experience with Lachie Keeffe, Jack Frost and Nathan Brown left to curtail the big forwards in his, and Nick Maxwell's, absence.
 
Richmond: The Tigers regrouped after last Friday night's surprise loss to Melbourne and showed they can be competitive despite the absence of key players Jack Riewoldt, Ivan Maric, Chris Newman and Daniel Jackson. Their midfield depth has also increased with targeted recruiting – Matt Thomas and Anthony Miles have shown they can win the ball and will easily slot in when called upon, while mature-age former VFL forward Sam Lloyd brings something new to their attacking structure.



NEW FACES
Collingwood: The Pies had no new faces but got another game into recruits Tony Armstrong, Jesse White and Jonathon Marsh. Armstrong wasn't prolific but White took six marks and took the ball inside 50 four times. Marsh started as the substitute and showed a bit in the minutes he got after half time including an impressive run down tackle in the middle of the ground.
 
Richmond: Former Port Adelaide midfielder Matt Thomas was the Tigers' only new face after the omission of Nathan Gordon from the extended squad. He gathered plenty of the ball when he wasn't antagonising Brodie Grundy and worked hard in the middle, proving he'll give the midfield depth if injuries strike. Sam Lloyd, who played in the Tigers' first game against Melbourne for nine disposals and five marks, nailed a long goal in the first quarter and ended the game with two. Former Giant Anthony Miles, who is vying for a senior list upgrade before the start of the season, began as substitute in the first half and finished with 18 touches after coming on in the third quarter. 

 
Wangaratta Showgrounds looked superb as the Tigers and Magpies played their NAB Challenge game there


http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-02-22/collingwood-v-richmond-nab-challenge-match-report

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Richmond captain Trent Cotchin shines with four goals to lead Tigers’ win over Collingwood

    Glenn McFarlane
    News Limited Network
    February 23, 2014

BEN Reid showed why coach Nathan Buckley wants him predominantly in attack this season, but Richmond was able to stretch Collingwood’s defence at the other end to emerge victorious by 48 points at Wangaratta.

That could once more prove to be a bit of dilemma for the Magpies this season.

For as good as Reid is in attack — and he was clearly that with a match-high five goals — he is equally good in defence.

And the Magpies could have done with the swingman at both ends.

It’s a balancing act that Buckley will work through this season, particularly given his young defence looked more than a little vulnerable at times against some of the Tigers’ tall timber.

Reid’s five goals saw him combine with eight for the game with fellow power forward Travis Cloke, but the Magpies only had four goalkickers for the game.

Richmond had 10 individual goalkickers, with Ty Vickery proving more than a handful deep for Collingwood’s back-half, kicking four goals.

Trent Cotchin got better as the game went along, and also ended up with four goals of his own. Finishing with multiple goals is an area of Cotchin’s game that he is intent on improving this season.

The Tigers controlled the match almost from start to finish, having 120 more disposals, to win a second successive clash in Wangaratta, following on from last year’s win over Essendon.

It was the perfect comeback to their less-than-satisfactory first-up effort against Melbourne in week one, as they kept the momentum flowing throughout the game.

Collingwood got to within five points of Richmond 11 minutes into the third term after Cloke nailed his third, but the Tigers piled on the next seven goals to effectively shut-out any flicker of Magpies’ hopes.

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick would have been pleased with the manner in which his team attacked the contest.

Dustin Martin performed well; Cotchin was as smooth as ever; Reece Conca was impressive in his first game back from a serious hamstring injury suffered minutes into last year’s elimination final, while former VFL player Sam Lloyd showed a glimpse of his talent with two goals.

Matt Arnot kicked Richmond’s only Super Goal of the game, in the second term, with a powerful roost from outside 50m that was set up by the run of mature rookie Matt Thomas.

Collingwood’s super goal came from Jesse White in the final term.

The negative for the Tigers was the lower-leg injury suffered by Jake Batchelor just before half-time. He did not return after the long break.

Jake King spent the first half on the bench, but worked hard without much reward for the rest of the game.

Scott Pendlebury was outstanding, Ben Kennedy was equally as good as he was the previous game against Geelong, Clinton Young was once more creative and youngster Tom Langdon had some good moments.

The pleasing thing for Collingwood was that Reid, Dane Swan and Alex Fasolo -playing their first NAB Challenge games this season — got through the match.

There was more than a little angst early in the game between Brodie Grundy and Matt Thomas. They grappled after Grundy took exception to something that was said.

That didn’t hurt Collingwood, but the next exchange between the pair in the second term did. The free kick and 50m penalty helped Thomas set up a goal for Cotchin, who was lurking dangerously in attack.

Overall, the Tigers were sharper and looked intent on erasing that loss to Melbourne. The Magpies were not as slick as they were against Geelong, but will derive plenty of benefit from the game.

HIGHLIGHTS REEL

WHERE to play Ben Reid? That’s the dilemma Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley is faced with after the swingman’s five-goal effort yesterday. The Wangaratta junior left his best for last, holding off Tiger Troy Chaplin in a show of strength to mark one-handed and set the 11,000-strong crowd alight in the third term.

NEW BOYS

IT’S been a long road to the AFL for journeyman Sam Lloyd, 24, but the Deniliquin native did his chances of Round 1 selection no harm kicking two goals in Richmond’s stunning win over Collingwood. Drafted from Frankston with pick 66 in the national draft, Lloyd has previously pulled on the boots for Bendigo, Mt Eliza and his home town.

FEBRUARY FLYER

THE only knock on Trent Cotchin was he didn’t kick enough goals to go with his supreme skills. Yesterday, he silenced any doubters with four majors to go with 33 possessions and 11 marks. Brett Deledio (two goals) and Dustin Martin mirrored each other with 32 disposals and nine marks in a stunning display.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/richmond-captain-trent-cotchin-shines-with-four-goals-to-lead-tigers-win-over-collingwood/story-fni5ezdm-1226834579159

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Richmond downs Collingwood by 48 points in their NAB Challenge match at Wangaratta

    Rohan Connolly
    The Age
    February 23, 2014

RICHMOND         0.5.6   1.8.8   1.10.12   1.17.13 (124)
COLLINGWOOD  0.3.0    0.7.2   0.10.4     1.10.7 (76)

SUPERGOALS
Richmond: Arnot.
Collingwood: J White.

GOALS
Richmond: Cotchin 4, Vickery 4, Deledio 2, Lloyd 2, Edwards, Griffiths, Houli, McDonough, Edwards.
Collingwood: Reid 5, Cloke 3, Mooney 2.

BEST
Richmond: Deledio, Martin, Cotchin, Conca, Houli.
Collingwood: Reid, Pendlebury, Kennedy, Langdon.

UMPIRES Schmitt, Meredith, McInerney.
Venue: Wangaratta Showgrounds.

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The amount of expectation perpetually hanging over Richmond meant some anguished reactions to the Tigers' lack-lustre loss to Melbourne in the first round of the NAB Challenge.

But any anxiety felt by the sizeable Tiger army would surely have been quelled by Richmond's far more accomplished display in its second hitout against Collingwood at Wangaratta on Saturday, which produced an accomplished 48-point win.

It was a victory, not for the first time engineered by Richmond's classiest acts, with skipper Trent Cotchin, Brett Deledio and Dustin Martin all starring, collecting nearly 100 possessions between them.

Up forward, despite the absence of spearhead Jack Riewoldt, the Tigers were still able to muster 18 goals, with Cotchin and key forward Ty Vickery booting four each.

Richmond certainly began the game in a far higher gear than it found for all four quarters of last week's game.

But the Tigers' satisfaction was tempered by coach Damien Hardwick's revelation that No. 1 ruckman Ivan Maric could need ankle surgery and the Tigers do not know when he will start his season.

Maric had successful post-season groin surgery but has yet to play in the pre-season.

''We're just monitoring his progress and see how he's going,'' Hardwick said.

''He's probably in the hands of the doctor at the moment.

''It's been a bit of a drawn-out process at this stage so at some stage we've probably got to make a decision on which way we go. [Surgery] is a possibility.''

Strong performances from ruck recruit Shaun Hampson and tall swingman Ben Griffiths on Saturday suggest Richmond has better back-up for Maric this season.

The Tigers' defensive pressure was spot on from the start, their first two goals to Shane Edwards and Deledio the direct result of turnovers forced by dwelling on Collingwood defenders attempting to clear the decks.

Richmond dominated the clearances early on, having racked up 16 to the Magpies' six late in the first term, and all its stars were on song, Cotchin chipping in with a couple of goals, Martin starting at half-back but sweeping through midfield with effect, and Deledio all over the place.

And the Tigers continue to build both the depth and quality of their midfield.

Reece Conca, in his first hitout of 2014, didn't miss a beat early, and particularly impressive was rookie-listed former Port Adelaide player Matt Thomas, who picked up 15 first-half possessions.

Former Greater Western Sydney youngster Anthony Miles also had immediate impact when he came off the substitute's bench, picking up 10 touches in the third term and finishing with 18.

Collingwood's errors were costly early, as was some ill-discipline from the likes of young ruckman Brodie Grundy, who, frustrated by conceding the ruck battle to Hampson, gave away two 50-metre penalties in the first half.

The Magpies generally didn't look nearly as sharp as they had in last week's opener against Geelong, though they would have been encouraged by Dane Swan's first competitive outing for the year, the Brownlow medallist getting his usual swag of possessions.

Collingwood at least looked potent enough when it did go forward, starting with the three-tall set-up of Travis Cloke, Jesse White and Ben Reid, with Lachie Keeffe at centre half-back.

And Reid provided plenty of evidence that his move forward last season could pay longer-term dividends with five goals for the afternoon.

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-match-report/richmond-downs-collingwood-by-48-points-in-their-nab-challenge-match-at-wangaratta-20140222-3394r.html#ixzz2u4duV2V4

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10 things we learnt from Richmond’s big win over Collingwood in Wangaratta

    Ben Higgins
    From: News Limited Network
    February 23, 2014 4:25PM

NO JACK, NO WORRIES

Richmond fans must be concerned about Jack Riewoldt’s absence from the Tigers two NAB Challenge matches, but coach Damien Hardwick is probably thrilled. Despite missing their spearhead the Tigers went on an attacking blitz against Collingwood, kicking 18 goals (including one supergoal). The offence outburst would have warmed Hardwick’s heart as oft-maligned big man Tyrone Vickery kicked four goals, Trent Cotchin booted four from the midfield and the Tigers had nine different players on the scoresheet. Riewoldt’s return can only benefit the Tigers as they look to improve on their 2013 elimination final loss.

GO FORWARD, BEN REID

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley should fund research into cloning, because he desperately needs two Ben Reids. How much would the Magpies love to have one Reid in defence and another in attack? After Saturday’s performance, Reid looks to have cemented himself in the forward line after a five mark, five goal effort in Wangaratta. Alongside Travis Cloke and Jesse White, Collingwood would have one of the most dangerous forward lines in the AFL. Unfortunately, without Reid in defence the Magpies were caught out as Richmond piled on 18 goals to take a 48-point win.

FIT COTCHIN = DANGER

Trent Cotchin fired a warning shot across the bow of the entire AFL on Saturday. The Richmond captain put on a virtuoso performance against Collingwood, gathering 34 disposals (23 kicks, 11 handballs), 11 marks, two tackles and four goals. Cotchin didn’t enjoy his first year as the Tigers’ leader as a knee injury hampered his performance but Saturday’s effort showed he is now back to full fitness. Combined with Brett Deledio (32 touches) and Dustin Martin (32 touches), Cotchin forms one of the most potent midfield combinations in the league.

BRODIE CAN HANDLE HIMSELF

Brodie Grundy must have been watching Cool Runnings before taking on Richmond on Saturday. The Collingwood ruckman was a “bad-ass mother who don’t take no crap off of nobody”. Grundy got suckered in my a Ricky Petterd hip-and-shoulder before throwing the Tigers forward to the ground and giving away a free-kick. As Reece Conca and Matt Thomas came in to remonstrate, Grundy wasn’t taking a backward step and ragdolled Thomas to the ground, giving away a 50m penalty. After making his way to the bench, Grundy probably got a stern talking to from coach Nathan Buckley. We say; “keep it up young man”.

MAGAREY MEDALLIST SHINES

Former Port Adelaide midfielder and reigning Magarey Medallist, Matt Thomas, started Saturday’s match like a house on fire. In his first game for the Tigers, Thomas had five touches inside the opening few minutes. As the game progressed and the likes of Trent Cotchin and Brett Deledio took over, Thomas’ output dropped and he finished the match with 15 touches (12 handballs), two marks and two tackles. After 87 games with the Power, Thomas was delisted last year and picked up with pick No.42 in the rookie draft. He should be a handy depth player for the Tigers this season.

HAVE SKILLS, WILL TRAVEL

It’s probably been said more than 100 times this pre-season but did you know Sam Lloyd has played for five different teams in five years? The nomadic forward has represented Deniliquin, Mt Eliza, Bendigo, Frankston and before landing at Richmond with pick No.60 in the National Draft. Against Collingwood Lloyd showed why he has been so in demand, kicking two classy goals and gathering 14 touches. The 23-year-old is pushing for a place in Richmond’s Round 1 team and did his chances no harm against the Magpies. Lloyd certainly has good goal sense, he kicked 100 goals in a season at Deniliquin.

COUNTRY FANS LOVE THEIR FOOTY

It is one of the best aspects of the pre-season, taking games to the country. The people of Wangaratta responded on Saturday, turning out in droves to watch the Tigers pummel Collingwood at Norm Minns Oval. An estimated 11,000 people cramped into the ground to watch the game. The big crowd comes of the back of similar results in Ballarat and Launceston with games still to come in Townsville and Wagga Wagga. While regular season games won’t be taken to country venues, it is important the AFL continues to reward country fans.

FASOLO ON TRACK

Alex Fasolo missed all but three games in 2013 as a foot injury took its toll. The Magpies’ forward-midfielder returned to the field for the first time since Round 5, 2013 on Saturday and would be pleased with his effort. Fasolo was carefully managed throughout the match but still managed to gather 14 touches and two marks. Collingwood fans will hope to see Fasolo far more often in 2014 as he is a dangerous small forward who is also an important secondary midfield option for Nathan Buckley.

DELEDIO, MARTIN CAN’T BE SEPARATED

The Tigers duo picked up 32 touches and nine marks each in the big win over Collingwood at Wangaratta. Combined with the likes of Trent Cotchin, Daniel Jackson and Shaun Grigg they form one of the most dangerous midfield combinations in the AFL. Deledio was class from the first bounce, highlighted by his smother and goal in the first quarter. The former No.1 pick finished with two goals and Tigers fans will hope to see him slotting more goals from the midfield this year. Martin worked into the game and was at his damaging best in the final quarter. Fitness and finishing off games strongly is definitely something Martin has needed to work on.

PIES HAVE SOME WORK TO DO

Collingwood and Richmond came into Saturday’s game after losing their opening NAB Challenge matches. Collingwood showed plenty in a narrow loss to Geelong while Richmond were upset by Melbourne. However, at the final siren it was Collingwood who now have some serious questions being asked about them. Yes, it is the NAB Challenge. Yes, they were missing Dayne Beams, Nick Maxwell and Taylor Adams but Nathan Buckley wouldn’t have liked the way the team finished off the game. It is a concern with a tough opening four weeks to the season against Fremantle, Sydney, Geelong and Richmond.

http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/things-we-learnt-from-richmonds-big-win-over-collingwood-in-wangaratta/story-fndv7pj3-1226835184259