Richmond still has Collingwood’s measure, but will that change in September?
THIS was a match to savour but there was a familiarity about the result as Richmond reigned supreme in the Grand Final of July but Collingwood showed it is a worthy contender, writes MARK ROBINSON.
Mark Robinson
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RICHMOND reigned supreme in the Grand Final of July, in a performance we’ve come to expect, continue to admire and, for all other rivals, they will review with fear.
They are a ruthless and surging team, the Tigers.
They are fierce with their pressure and run and they are unconditional with their efforts to move the ball forward at every opportunity, by either kick, handball, knock-on or cracking in with their bodies.
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They are also the Relentless Happy Handballers.
Of all the stats in football — and it is the one remarkable stat which has underpinned Richmond’s performance all season — it’s their ability to use handball to attack which is killing opponents.
Their metres gained with handball was 519m. Conversely, Collingwood was -7m with handballs.
They are astonishing numbers, born of strategy and executed with attitude
If Richmond is to be denied the premiership this season, rival coaches need to find a strategy to combat what is clearly one of Richmond’s greatest weapon.
Mind you, Collingwood for three quarters was worthy combatants.
The Clash of the Titans at the MCG on Saturday was one to savour, but in the end there was a familiarity about the result.
In Round 6 between these two teams, the Pies were with their more fancied opposition for three quarters, before losing players with injury, and gave up 8.3 to 3.1 in final quarter to lose by 43 points.
This time, the Pies lost defenders Jeremy Howe (head) in the first quarter and Matthew Scharenberg (knee) in third quarter and then were overran 5.3 to 1.3 in the final 30 minutes to lose by 28 points.
The final-quarter savagings from Richmond are part of folklore. They call it belief and trust, but it’s also called real.
Once again, Richmond was tougher for longer and, in the end, the Pies looked physically wrecked.
At three-quarter time, the margin was just four points.
In the first minute of the final quarter, Jack Riewoldt took a contested mark and kicked a goal. Then Jacob Townsend snapped a goal.
Dustin Martin took a one-on-one mark in the goal square and kicked the next.
Then followed Shane Edwards, Dan Rioli and Martin again. And, in a matter of minutes, the game was over.
Whichever teams beats Richmond in September will be a mighty one.
It could be Collingwood. They lost Howe and Scharenberg, and was missing Adam Treloar, Jordan De Goey, Daniel Wells and Lynden Dunn from their best line-up. So they can reload with some confidence.
“They are ‘a bloody good team,’’ Riewoldt told Fox Footy after the game.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if we crossed paths later in the year.’’
That’s not Riewoldt being arrogant, that’s Riewoldt tipping his hat at Collingwood and coach Nathan Buckley.
It was a curious game.
The Tigers were smacked at stoppages for three quartrs 36-24 and turned it around in the final quarter to win clearances 10-8.
They lost contested ball 154-163 overall, but were plus nine in the final quarter.
Collingwood won more ball in the midfield — Sidebottom (38 disposals), Pendlebury (37 and 13 clearances, Phillips (33) and Adams (30) — but its overall usage would disappoint the coach, mainly its inability to open cracks in Richmond’s much-vaunted back six.
It was a major issue and is something Buckley can also work on with his inexperienced forwards, but the fact they won so much ball under the domination of ruckman Brodie Grundy was a positive.
Debate will be fuelled about who is Richmond’s most important player.
The Tigers famously won their premiership with Shaun Grigg as their second ruckman, but will last year’s shock tactic hurt them in September?
When Toby Nankervis was off the field for maybe eight minutes in the second quarter, and again in the third quarter, Collingwood seized the game.
One time, Grigg grabbed Mason Cox by an arm in a forward 50m stoppage and Cox kicked the goal.
In the third quarter, when the Pies challenged the Tigers, Grundy was the most dominating player, especially when Nankervis was on the bench.
If Nankervis stays healthy, it won’t be a major issue for Richmond.
But if he doesn’t, Richmond coach Damien Hardwick will need to coach his socks off if they are to win the flag. Yep, that’s how important Nankervis is to the team.
We learned Townsend needs to stay in the team, Nathan Broad at half-back has vastly improved, Shane Edwards should be in the All-Australian discussion, Jack Higgins can throw the ball while kicking a sensational “snag’’, and Riewoldt is playing the best football of his career.
Leigh Matthews argued pre-game Riewoldt was better than Buddy at the moment and, as usual when Matthews speaks, it’s hard to argue.
As for the Pies, they have tremendous ticker.
And when luck comes Buckley’s way via less injuries, he’ll be confidenr his team is capable of beating anyone.
Right now, though, Richmond has their measure.
RICHMOND 5.2 8.3 11.6 16.9 (105)
COLLINGWOOD 2.1 7.1 11.2 12.5 (77)
GOALS
Tigers: Martin 3, Riewoldt 3, Higgins 2, Short 2, Castagna 2, Caddy, Townsend, Edwards, Rioli
Magpies: Thomas 4, Hoskin-Elliott 3, Cox 2, Daicos, Brown, Mihocek
BEST
Tigers: Astbury, Edwards, Cotchin, Prestia, Short, Martin, Higgins
Magpies: Grundy, Pendlebury, Thomas, Moore, Phillips,
INJURIES
Tigers: TBC
Magpies: Howe (concussion), Mihocek (ankle), Scharenberg (knee)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Margetts, Hosking, Findlay
Official crowd: 88,180 at the MCG
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