THE 4 CERTAINTIES FOR COLLINGWOOD V RICHMONDLachlan Geleit & Seb Mottram
BY SEN
31 March 2023Back for another year, the SEN.com.au team gives you an insight into how every game will play out across the weekend.
Labelling something a ‘certainty’ in any sport is fraught with danger.
But we’ll attempt to find some anyway.
Here is what we consider certainties for Friday night's blockbuster between Collingwood and Richmond.
Tom Mitchell 20+ disposalsCollingwood recruit Tom Mitchell has started the 2023 season on fire in his new colours.
While he’s not racking up the astronomical numbers he did as a Brownlow winner with the Hawks, he’s having a big impact for the Magpies who have been crying out for a clearance player like the 29-year-old.
Across two games, Mitchell is averaging 24 disposals and 1.5 goals a game while ranking elite in contested possessions, ground ball gets, centre clearances and clearances.
Against a Richmond side that aren’t afraid to let the opposition pick up plenty of footy, expect Mitchell to get his hands on and dispose of the ball at least 20 times on Friday.
Daniel McStay to kick at least one goal and take 4+ marksWith Mason Cox out and Brody Mihocek under an injury cloud/ruled out, Daniel McStay looks like he’ll be asked to play as Collingwood’s main target inside 50.
While he didn’t play that role often at Brisbane, McStay showed he could do it for the Magpies with a starring three-goal performance in the practice match against Carlton and he’ll hope to have a decent impact on this game for Collingwood’s forward line to operate successfully.
Expect plenty of football to head the recruit’s way inside 50.
Shai Bolton to have 15+ touches and kick at least one goalSince Round 5 last year, Shai Bolton has remarkably gone goalless just twice in almost 20 games.
In those two games he missed out, Bolton kicked a combined seven behinds. He’s become a weapon forward of centre and has won enough of the ball in years gone by to consistently show off his tremendous talent.
In his last two games against the Magpies, Bolton has gathered a total of 47 disposals and booted three majors.
Being a player who thrives on the big stage – and there are few bigger than Richmond vs Collingwood at the MCG – it’d be a shock if Bolton doesn’t have a say on Friday night’s result.
Tom Lynch to kick multiple goals
Speaking of good records against specific teams, Lynch’s against Collingwood is nothing to be sneezed at.
Last time the 30-year-old played Collingwood he booted six majors to set up a strong victory over the Magpies.
There’s no doubt Craig McRae will do his homework heading into Friday night, but Lynch has got the runs on the board, booting 12 goals in his last three games against the Pies.
He’s also fired up at the right times so far in 2023 kicking six goals across the opening two rounds. He’s another player expected to thrive in front of the 85,000+ at the ‘G.
https://www.sen.com.au/news/2023/03/31/the-4-certainties-for-collingwood-v-richmond/
