Prelim Final: Richmond vs Collingwood, Friday night, Sept. 21.

[rogerd3]

Got tickets but geez it's a poo sandwich.
Ticketek treat people with contempt.

[one-eyed]

The MCG website says the expected attendance is 97,000.

http://www.mcg.org.au/whats-on/events-calendar/2018/september/afl-preliminary-final-richmond-v-collingwood


Depends on how many unused Club or AFL allocations get sold on Thursday and how many MCC members show up whether it gets boosted up to 100k.

[one-eyed]

Richmond vs Collingwood ticketek problem: Preliminary final fans stranded, how to get tickets

September 17, 2018 11:06am
FOX SPORTS

AFL fans have vented their frustration on social media after experiencing some problems securing tickets to the blockbuster preliminary final between Richmond and Collingwood on Monday morning.

The two powerhouse clubs having a combined membership of almost 180,000, and some fans tweeted that they had problems on the Ticketek website.

Ticketek told foxsports.com.au that the website has transacted well throughout the morning. And some fans reported a smooth experience in securing tickets for the blockbuster.

A large number of fans opted to queue outside outlets in order to avoid disappointment.

But for many, lining up simply wasn’t an option — meaning Richmond and Collingwood fans had to face the 9am ticket sale frenzy.

Twenty minutes before tickets were released, Ticketek released their “helpful tips” to avoid disappointment.

They included to “keep trying” until a price category was exhausted, while also ensuring to only use “one browser or device”.

Some customers claimed they still had some issues, with Ticketek suggesting to several frustrated fans to try securing a different number of tickets, or tickets in a different category.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/pray-for-ticketek-website-leaves-tigers-magpies-fans-disappointed-again/news-story/2c378e25bc7af329d9847ab5688e1e3b

[Eat_em_Alive]

The MCG website says the expected attendance is 97,000.

http://www.mcg.org.au/whats-on/events-calendar/2018/september/afl-preliminary-final-richmond-v-collingwood


Depends on how many unused Club or AFL allocations get sold on Thursday and how many MCC members show up whether it gets boosted up to 100k.

From what Ive heard today
Club members exhausted, mcc exhausted, no general admission available and AFL members go on sale tomorrow.


Should be a packed house from all accounts

[one-eyed]

The AFL website is tipping us to win by 5 goals.



Mega-preview: First preliminary final, Richmond v Collingwood

Marc McGowan
afl.com.au
Sep 17, 2018 2:32PM

SUMMARY

Friday night's blockbuster preliminary final between Richmond and Collingwood is 38 years in the making. The two powerhouses haven't met in the post-season since the Tigers hammered the Pies by 81 points in the 1980 Grand Final, and this one is set to nudge a six-figure crowd. For all of Collingwood's defiance of its lengthy injury list, it must defeat the reigning premier to have any hope of winning a first flag in eight years. The midfield battle will be titanic – Martin, Cotchin, Prestia and Lambert v Pendlebury, Treloar, Sidebottom and Adams – but can the Pies withstand Richmond's famed pressure to kick a winning score?

WHERE AND WHEN: MCG, Friday, September 21, 7.50pm AEST


WHAT HAPPENED THIS YEAR?

Round six: Richmond 16.17 (113) d Collingwood 10.10 (70) at the MCG

Nathan Buckley's Magpies led at stages throughout each of the first three quarters, and as late as the 22-minute mark of the third term, but never by more than four points. The Tigers took an 11-point edge into the fourth quarter and kicked three goals in the next nine minutes to jump out to a 30-point lead that was never seriously challenged.

Round 19: Richmond 16.9 (105) d Collingwood 12.5 (77) at the MCG

There were many similarities in this one to the clubs' earlier season clash, with the Pies near enough for much of the day and still within four points at three-quarter time. But the Tigers put paid to the Magpies' challenge with the opening five goals of the last term. Dustin Martin and Jack Riewoldt each kicked three goals and David Astbury was excellent down back.

LAST FIVE TIMES

R19, 2018, Richmond 16.9 (105) d Collingwood 12.5 (77) at the MCG
R6, 2018, Richmond 16.17 (113) d Collingwood 10.10 (70) at the MCG
R2, 2017, Richmond 14.15 (99) d Collingwood 11.14 (80) at the MCG
R20, 2016, Richmond 14.8 (92) d Collingwood 11.11 (77) at the MCG
R2, 2016, Collingwood 13.9 (87) d Richmond 12.14 (86) at the MCG

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

Richmond

1. Dylan Grimes looms as the man to stop Magpie match-winner Jordan De Goey. Grimes is tall enough to defend key forwards, but also quick enough to man smaller opponents. De Goey is somewhere in between those two things and this could be Grimes' biggest challenge in 2018.

2. The Tigers aren't traditionally a strong contested ball side, but there's no reason they can't be, especially when it is a priority against Collingwood. Greater Western Sydney's best period last Saturday night came when it briefly wrested control from the Pies in clearances and contested possessions.

3. Richmond rarely tags through the midfield, but Damien Hardwick has an ideal option in Dion Prestia if he wants  not only to curb one of the Magpies' Fab Four (Scott Pendlebury, Adam Treloar, Steele Sidebottom and Taylor Adams), but also hurt them the other way.

Collingwood

1. Levi Greenwood is the popular choice to tag Dustin Martin and has been playing in defence, so may follow the 2017 Brownlow medallist everywhere he goes. But could the Pies instead opt for Tom Langdon or Tyson Goldsack to go to Martin when he sneaks into attack?

2. Richmond kicks 47 per cent of its goals from general play, as opposed to set shots, and the Pies allow their opposition to score 39 per cent of goals that way (ranked fifth-best in the AFL). Collingwood's pressure and fall-of-the-ball work will need to be sharp.

3. David Astbury was an unlikely thorn in the Pies' side in the clubs' round 19 meeting. He kept Mason Cox to two goals and helped himself to 21 disposals, seven marks and five rebound 50s. Cox will have to be more defensively diligent this time around.

THE SIX POINTS

1. The final quarter was the difference between the sides in both games this season. In round six, Richmond led by 11 points at three-quarter time before kicking eight goals to three. Then in round 19, the Tigers' advantage was just four points at the final change, only for them to boot five goals to one.

2. There is a huge contrast in styles between the teams. Collingwood is the highest-ranked disposal team this season, with an average of 401.2, while Richmond's 367.7 per game ranks 14th.

3. The Tigers are placed second for goals per game this season with 14.1, and the Magpies' 13.3 ranks third. Richmond is second for inside 50s and the Magpies third, while the Tigers are second for marks inside 50, but Collingwood is mid-table at equal eighth.

4. Richmond and Collingwood have met in 16 finals, with the black and yellow army winning nine games to seven, including the last six since 1969.

5. The Tigers are aiming for their fifth consecutive post-season win, something they haven't achieved since 1973-75. If they win, it will be back-to-back Grand Final appearances for the first time since 1973-74. Collingwood last made the Grand Final in 2011.

6. The ruck battle could go a long way to deciding this match. Magpie Brodie Grundy is the top-ranked ruckman at No.5 overall in the Schick AFL Player Ratings, while Tiger Toby Nankervis is only 63rd.

WHAT THE COACHES SAY

Damien Hardwick: "I thought they were the best side we've played this year, with their pressure and their ability to hunt around the contest. We knew it was going to be a fight coming in and that was certainly what we got for close to three quarters. It was very much a grind for those three quarters and then we managed to get the game a little bit more on our own terms." – after the round six victory over Collingwood.

Nathan Buckley: "They've been the best team since the last one to two months before last year's finals and they finished top this year. Everyone's waiting for them to fall over, but they're not going to fall over. They have to be beaten. We believe they can be beaten and our best footy will stack up, but talking about it and doing it are two separate things." – after beating the Giants on Saturday night.

IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR …

Nathan Buckley doesn't task his players with a tag on an opponent too often, but it's not every week you come up against reigning Brownlow medallist Dustin Martin. Levi Greenwood will almost certainly get the job on Martin again, but can you trust him to do it through the middle as well as when Dusty plays out of the goal square?

PREDICTION: Richmond by 32 points

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-09-17/megapreview-first-preliminary-final-richmond-v-collingwood

[one-eyed]

Preliminary Final preview: Richmond vs Collingwood

Mick McGuane
Herald-Sun
17 September 2018

COLLINGWOOD premiership hero MICK McGUANE dissects Friday night’s preliminary final between the Pies and Tigers and pinpoints where the match will be won and lost.

WHAT TO EXPECT

RICHMOND
An urgent and fresh team. The Tigers know they will be hunted and physically challenged from the get-go, but rest assured they will be prepared for an ambush. Damien Hardwickhas his side playing to a system that is difficult to conquer. They have mastered the “turnover game”, thanks to a highly organised system with COMPLETE buy-in from the players. The Tigers are ranked No. 1 for creating turnovers. They are busy and alert around the contest, and set up the ground to challenge opposition ball use. They cover exits and take away opposition leading lanes, due to trust and connectivity. The key add-on is what they do post-turnover. Richmond is ranked No. 1 for percentage of score from turnovers and points from turnovers. Now that’s a team bound for a Grand Final.

COLLINGWOOD
A high volume game … the Pies just know how to win the footy. They love the contest and work the other side of the ball as their pressure indicates. Because of Brodie Grundy’s influence, Collingwood is a very good clearance team, and this could challenge the Tigers. This also offers up a conundrum for Nathan Buckley. Does he add to this strength by rolling up a half-forward as an extra around stoppages and bank on chaining the ball out by hands and running at the Tigers defence before they launch a deep entry? Or do they keep six forwards at home in front of the ball, in case they panic kick out of a stoppage, so they don’t kick to an outnumber. That cannot happen as it would allow the Tigers to get their turnover game rolling.

RICHMOND

THE KEY

Back their system. The Tigers won’t alter their game style. Why should they? You will see a team that will look to kick long, handball often to involve their teammates, but more importantly to gain metres with their handball and get after the loose-ball at ground level. Sounds simple, doesn’t it! It’s predictable and they are predictable to each other. Now that’s a TEAM. They are a high-territory side. Room for improvement comes in their contested possessions. They are ranked 15th this year but when the stakes increase, don’t be surprised if we see a shift in this area. Don’t forget the Tigers were +30 in last year’s Grand Final. THEY CAN DO IT.

THE THEME

Believe in the brand. It stands up. Win the territory battle and get the game played on their terms in their forward half of the ground. This sums up the Tigers in a nutshell. When they get that right, it provides the opportunity to set up their defensive structure. They know if this happens it stifles opposition ball movement. In Round 19, which is relevant as it wasn’t too long ago, Collingwood appeared spooked as they looked to go forward but had nowhere to go. The Pies had 42 opportunities to move the ball from D50 to I50, and they could only do it three times. That’s 7%, well below the AFL average of 20%. Extraordinary! Defence before attack — not a bad philosophy in a big game.

THE CHALLENGE

Keep Collingwood’s playmakers in check. The Magpies are a high volume team and some of their players are more than capable of getting a lot of the footy. This was the case in Round 19 when Collingwood had five players with 22+ disposals. Richmond had zero. Steele Sidebottom had 38, Scott Pendlebury 37, Tom Phillips 33, Taylor Adams 30 and Brodie Grundy 23. The saving grace for the Tigers was that some key Magpies butchered the ball. Sidebottom went at 35% by foot, Pendlebury 40% and Adams 42%. Those players are better than that. It won’t happen again. With the addition of Adam Treloar, who is another accumulator, the challenge for the Tigers is to dry up the Pies’ ball winners. They can’t rely on them to poorly execute. If the Collingwood stars have those numbers again, coupled with better ball use, Richmond’s defensive structure will be seriously challenged.

COLLINGWOOD

THE KEY

Get the game played in their own half of the ground. You CANNOT lose the territory game against the Tigers and expect to win. If you do, your conversion on goal must be through the roof. Collingwood will back themselves in and around the stoppages to win enough clearances. It is what happens post-clearance that holds the key. Effective ball use and decision-making is critical when going forward. Both must hold up to challenge Richmond’s team defence. Collingwood like to flick the ball around by hand as evidenced by handballing more against Richmond in both games this year — more than in any other match in 2018. In Round 19, they had 200 handballs but gained -20 metres. It was Richmond’s system that challenged Collingwood, NOT its PRESSURE. It’s a bit like saying our first kick after chaining out through hands MUST hit a teammate. It eases the pressure and puts it back on the opposition. Getting field position is critical.

THE THEME

Low-ball entries. Everyone applauds Richmond’s back six — and rightfully so. The Tigers help each other out extremely well. Since Round 20, Richmond ranks 18th for ground-ball differential in their defensive 50 (backs versus opposition forwards). The problem is that across the season Collingwood ranks 18th for ground-ball differential in their forward 50 (forwards versus opposition backs). In Round 19, the Pies broke even in this area, which is a positive, and it gives an intention as to where they want the ball to be — on the ground. Do grubby goals ring a bell? Collingwood must keep high-ball entries to a minimum due to the aerial strength of Alex Rance, David Astbury, Dylan Grimes and Nick Vlastuin.

THE CHALLENGE

Composure with the ball. Without it, the Pies don’t stand a chance. Collingwood will get ample opportunity to challenge the Tigers when in offence. The best players see the game unfold before it does. That’s why Pendlebury and Sidebottom are so important in this game. They must not only win their own ball but be given the ball at EVERY opportunity. Lazy kicks out of defensive 50 (for example, a few Jeremy Howe ones against GWS) will be punished against a team like Richmond. The Pies will get at least 75 to 80 opportunities to transition the ball from their back half of the ground to their forward 50. It will come back to their poise, composure, decision-making, and execution of the ball if they are to challenge Richmond’s defensive set up. If that fails, it’s season over.

MAGNET BOARD

IF I WERE RICHMOND … I would entertain using Alex Rance as the deepest defender in every instance. David Astbury will go to Mason Cox, but as we know, the Magpies will rotate Cox, Jordan De Goey, Jaidyn Stephenson, Will Hoskin-Elliott and Brody Mihocek as their deepest forward during stages of the game. I’d still keep Rance deep, regardless. When Cox goes to the square, Astbury can hand over to Rance, and he can go to Mihocek. It’s imperative to back your best defenders in a variety of roles and the Tigers are best suited with Rance deep. That allows Vlastuin, Grimes, Bachar Houli, Jayden Short and Nathan Broad to maintain their defensive structure. Damien Hardwick gave a hint after the win over the Hawks that Brandon Ellis is still a chance to come back into the team, but I would be leaving the side unchanged.

IF I WERE COLLINGWOOD … I would seriously entertain bringing in Darcy Moore to play on Jack Riewoldt, which in turn would force my hand in omitting Chris Mayne. That’s tough, I know, but you have to make hard calls to win finals. James Aish would then take over Mayne’s role between the arcs. That would allow Tyson Goldsack to play on Josh Caddy and free Jeremy Howe up to be the intercept player to win the ball back in the air. I would eyeball Levi Greenwood and challenge him to play on Richmond’s most influential player, Dustin Martin. Dusty MUST be stopped when on ball at centre bounce and his possessions between the arcs MUST be minimised. He is too creative to let roam unattended. The challenge for Greenwood is when Martin plays as the deepest forward. In Round 19, Greenwood tagged Martin for 51 minutes and kept him to 6 disposals. That’s a massive win. The problem was when Martin pushed forward, he kicked 2 goals.

PREDICTION: Richmond by 22

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/more-news/mick-mcguane-previews-the-blockbuster-final-between-collingwood-and-richmond/news-story/72c605cacef2b226bee991582f24d7a5

[one-eyed]

According to the bookies (Nathan Brown on SEN), the money is coming in for the Tigers win.

Richmond in to $1.37
Coll'wood out to $3.10

[Yeahright]

Missed out on tickets after waiting an hour

[Slipper]

Missed out on tickets after waiting an hour

Hopefully you get grandfinal tickets instead.

[Dogga]

I logged in on my computer at 8:50am and was greeted with the "please be patient ... you are in the queue".

At 9:03am, still in the queue so decided to try on my phone as well. And bingo, straight in. Entered barcodes x3 and got tickets in M5.

9:06am and I'm done. Look at computer and still in the queue. I had been told by someone that phone works better than computer, maybe it's true.

[Francois Jackson]

there is no method to this broken system. Its luck of the draw

I was logging on my phone from 830-920 and then at 920 after i was about to give up  receptionist called to say she was through on a computer and grabbed 2 for me.

Its a shambles lets be honest

[Diocletian]

Hamspud late in for farewell match
Filth by a point

[one-eyed]

It's officially a sell-out.


Tickets in the AFL Reserve for the Richmond v Collingwood Preliminary Final at the MCG on Friday are sold out.

No further tickets will be released for sale.

Only members with a Ticketek issued ticket will have entry into the venue.

https://twitter.com/AFL/status/1041839057016213504
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-09-18/gone-in-30-minutes-tigerspies-clash-a-sellout

[one-eyed]

https://twitter.com/FootyClassified

[one-eyed]

Word going around that we have avoided Razor Ray. He's apparently umpiring the Eagles/Demons Prelim.