That the match between last year’s wooden spooners, fielding a team of kids, and Collingwood, who won a flag only 17 months ago, was a blowout was not surprising.
That Collingwood kicked at the hilarious – and unsustainable – accuracy of 20.1 at one stage was surprising, and weird. It made the scoreboard a curiosity and made it harder to get a read on how good they were and how poor Richmond was, for the scoreboard didn’t feel reflective as Richmond kicked as inaccurately as Collingwood did accurately. Collingwood finished up winning 21.6 (132) to 6.13 (49).
Nick Daicos impressed in Collingwood’s practice match against a young Tigers side.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
Collingwood looked superb and back to their premiership best. But it’s February, and it was Richmond, a team chasing other things out of this season and who will make plenty of teams look good this year.
After an early period when Richmond were competitive, Collingwood kicked 12 unanswered goals to end the match as a contest. A bigger takeout was the fact recruit Tim Membrey booted four goals and looked to have added something to a Collingwood forward line that was firing.
After half-time Collingwood cleaved this game apart. Even with practice match intensity, there were signs of Collingwood playing how they want to play. When they play it on their terms they are devastating.
After being jumped at the opening Richmond settled into their game and played well for about 40 minutes of the first half but for all of that energy and endeavour, they were still 45 points down at half-time. Yes, Collingwood kicked straight and Richmond woefully, but more worrying was they gave up nine goals from stoppages in that half and the players around the ball were largely their experienced players, not the kids.
Pies recruit Tim Membrey booted four goals. Credit: Getty Images
From the rooms
Collingwood assistant Jordan Roughead said Brayden Maynard, who has struggled with plantar fasciitis in the summer, was rested after he pulled up with foot soreness after last week’s practice match. Roughead said he expected Maynard to be fit for round one.
Jordan De Goey also didn’t play, but Roughead said he would train on Thursday. While it appears unlikely he will play in the first rounds, Roughead said that had not been ruled out.
Aside from those injuries, and Mason Cox with a broken finger, Collingwood played close to its strongest team for most of the match.
“We were sort of treating this as almost a full dress rehearsal for our game next week, so making sure that we had the right plans in place for different personnel and getting the minutes into them that we needed to set ourselves up to really be on the front foot going up to Sydney next week,” he said.
“We’re lucky to have Nick [Daicos, who was dominant], but, I mean, we’re equally pleased with seeing Wil Parker and Ed Allan come on late in the game and maximise their opportunity.”
Richmond assistant Chris Newman said he was pleased with the pressure and endeavour regardless of the scoreboard.
“I think we had some really positive signs in terms of system. Some of the numbers would indicate that we had enough forward entries. Our transition looks relatively strong. We had around 29 front-half turnovers, which is a good indication of some pressure in there,” Newman said.
He praised young players Sam Banks, Luke Trainor and Harry Armstrong.
Sam Banks was praised for his role at half-back.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
“Sam Banks was one that really played a strong role for us at half-back and on the wing. Trainor came onto the ground really late in the game and I thought he really showed something. I think he ended up with around four intercept possessions for a young kid, and showed some real dash and poise with the football.
“Ross is another one that sort of rolled through the midfield and ended up sort of impacting the game. Who else have I got? Armstrong, although didn’t impact the scoreboard, usually competed really strong.”
What you need to know
Collingwood recruits Dan Houston, Harry Perryman and Membrey couldn’t get near the ball last week, but all looked very good on Wednesday night. The Magpie newbies had the impact they brought them in for.
Membrey booted two goals in the first term, one from a smothered kick forward to him from Perryman. A third goal was kicked by the hoof of Houston sheep-dogging around Bobby Hill to accept a handball and sink a long goal from outside 50 in the trademark way that will sadden Port fans.
Dan Houston found plenty of the ball.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
Houston off half-back with Josh Daicos moving back there gave Collingwood the aggressive adventurous running and intelligent kicking that made their defence potent in their premiership year. Isaac Quaynor rejoined that daring surge, running in a way he had moved away from last year.
Richmond’s takeout is they were more competitive early than the scoreboard said. They have the senior players to help carry the younger players through. Jake Blight took some really good grabs in defence and looks like he could develop into a senior player but – and we will get sick of saying and hearing this at Richmond this year – he is physically developing and will take time.
Draftee Trainor came on late and moved into the right positions to find enough of the ball in a short time. Rhyan Mansell’s fly for a mark and goal early in the second term had Shai Bolton vibes about it. He is not Bolton, but he might play that role. Tyler Sonsie had a couple of moments.
Tim Taranto handballs under pressure.Credit: Getty Images
Tom Lynch was absent, and the Tigers asked Armstrong – taken at pick 23 last year – to have a crack as a key forward. H took one nice grab, but the left footer failed to convert.
Jacob Bauer out-marking Darcy Moore in the first quarter offered the Tigers something to ponder as well. Young tall Tom Sims came on in the third quarter and was manned by Moore.
Key players
Nick Daicos. Seriously. It’s February. If they gave Brownlow votes he would get three. He had it 15 times in the first quarter alone and was devastating with his run through the middle. If any part of Daicos’ game is underrated, it’s his leg speed – he is seriously quick.
Darcy Cameron tussles for position against Harry Armstrong. Credit: Getty Images
Dan McStay. Effectively, a tantalising but missing piece since he came to the club. He is fit and looked good, jumping and taking marks. With Mason Cox out with a finger injury, the Magpies will continue with McStay as second ruck and use Membrey and Brody Mihocek as talls. It’s not without risk to use McStay, not long off an ACL injury, as a second ruck.
Jacob Hopper was good for Richmond and Jack Ross will get a lot of time on the ball. Jayden Short offered Richmond the same type of half-back delivery as Houston and Josh Daicos for Collingwood.
Expert’s view
What did we learn? Everything and nothing. We knew Richmond would struggle and they did. We thought Collingwood would be better and win easily and they did.
Collingwood’s ball movement looked like it did when it punished sides in 2023, this time with Josh Daicos, Houston, and Quaynor running through the middle.
The surprise was Scott Pendlebury, who was on the ground virtually the entire match, ditto Sidebottom. Collingwood went with close to their best team and held back Allan until the last quarter. But he still had double-figure touches and suggested he might have been given a look earlier.
Richmond held most of their young draftees back until late, so there weren’t many opportunities to judge them. Dion Prestia, Lynch, and Noah Balta back in the team will make a significant impact.
What’s next
For Collingwood, it’s GWS in opening round and a much bigger test.
For the Tigers, it’s the Blues at the MCG in round one in what will be a blockbuster crowd if not a contest.
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