AFL restart: Ring-rusty Richmond and Collingwood draw at MCG
The resumption of an extraordinary season has ended in a draw between Collingwood and Richmond at the MCG.
The resumption of an extraordinary season has ended in a draw between Collingwood and Richmond at the MCG, with the sides tied at 5.6 (36).
Football was the winner, but that can only be said because its absence has been felt so dearly, for only the fondest of fans would have loved the quality of this match in a regular season.
As happy as fans are for footy to be back, everyone will hope the 143 home-and-away matches to come, along with the finals, are of a far higher standard.
Collingwood and Richmond are clearly premiership contenders this season but they limped to the finish line in a match that became increasingly riddled with errors.
Still, it is mid-June and two powerhouses of the competition remain unbeaten. Richmond’s undefeated streak will now stretch beyond a year, admittedly with a COVID-19 assist.
To demonstrate their support for the Black Lives Matters protests, Richmond and Collingwood players alike took a knee in the middle of the MCG just prior to the start.
Once the match got underway, it was Collingwood who bounced away best to lead by four goals at quarter-time.
But the Tigers have won two of the past three premierships and, as champions do, found a way to respond to the challenge.
Tom Lynch was dynamic in the second term, comeback kid Jack Higgins bobbed up for a late goal in the third. By three-quarter time, Collingwood’s lead was just two points.
The Tigers were clearly ring-rusty early on. But by midway through the third term there were clear indications fatigue was setting in as the scoring slowed and the error rate increased.
Some of the mistakes were glaring in their sloppiness. The space Collingwood had enjoyed early on became non-existent.
The Tigers undoubtedly lifted their defensive intent but weariness seemed more likely a cause for the Magpies’ lack of run in what became a torrid affair.
Given the unusual circumstances of this season, it is perhaps not surprising.
Players returned to team training just over three weeks ago and have been exposed to only a small amount of contact in those sessions.
Getting used to physical pressure will take time, but the sharpness should come as players build match fitness in coming weeks.
It is worth monitoring whether there is a similar standard and energy dip in other matches this weekend and in the infancy of the restart to the season.
Taylor Adams holds the distinction of kicking the first goal of the resumption to the 2020 season, achieving the honour in a lively first quarter for the Magpies.
They were able to dominate possession, took risks and moved the ball forward at a rapid pace, with the match largely played in their half of the ground.
Callum Brown was able to win handy possessions in contested situations and was able to extend Collingwood’s lead to four goals after 22 minutes.
Another father-son in Josh Daicos was also winning the ball with frequency as the Tigers missed tackles and were clearly on the defensive.
An error on the wing opened the door for the Tigers to kick their first goal early in the second term, with Tom Lynch kicking the first of three for the quarter.
The answering goal came almost immediately courtesy of Tom Phillips but Collingwood failed to add another for the match.
Richmond hardly surged as they reeled in the deficit, for the majority of the third term was a dour struggle as fatigue set in, but nonetheless they continued to make inroads.
When Higgins kicked a goal from near the point post late in the third term, Collingwood’s lead was just two points.
This was a moment where celebration clashed with consternation. The controversy over a goal review decision was, at least, another indication that footy was alive.
Replays appeared to show Higgins was behind the point line when taking the mark, much to the chagrin of Collingwood fans.
But given there were fears the 21-year-old might not play again after suffering a bleed on the brain, the joy elsewhere in the outcome was understandable.
The clubs went point for point to the end, with Shai Bolton’s the last to see a chance to win the match swept away with a rushed behind.
Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley described it as the most unusual game he had been involved in.
“It was that bizarre that Dinka and I walked side by side through the carpark talking about how crap that feeling is,” Buckley said.
Draws are a hollow feeling. A draw in front of no fans is an interesting feeling.
“We are rapt to be back. We are rapt to be playing. But we will be better for the run.”
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