A big scoring night saw Collingwood run away 16.14.(110)-10.12.(72) winners against Richmond in front of 62,100 at the MCG on Friday night.
The Magpies restricted Richmond to just three goals at three-quarter time, the lowest of the Damien Hardwick era, to blow open the contest before holding onto a 48-point win in a high-scoring final term.
The all-star Collingwood midfield of Dayne Beams, Dane Swan and Scott Pendlebury had no problems with the slippery ball as they manufactured the Magpies’ first three opening quarter goals while Richmond were only able to manage a couple of behinds from leaders Jack Riewoldt and Trent Cotchin. Jesse White added another to put the Tigers in real danger until debutant Sam Lloyd booted one on the run to cut the quarter time margin back to 17 points.
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The Collingwood midfield didn’t miss a beat early in the second as Steele Sidebottom converted in heavy traffic and Beams made no mistake from a set shot on goal. Lloyd dribbled through a remarkable attempt to keep the Tigers in touch, but missed opportunities from set shots saw the lead remain at around a three-goal margin until a disastrous back 50 turnover enable White to extend the Pies lead shortly before the half.
Pendlebury kicked off the third term scoring, slipping one through a 10-man heavy goal square before Dustin Martin marked out of the clearance to provide the instant response. Beams once again found himself free inside 50 to kick his third before another to Jarryd Blair helped Collingwood to a 42-point lead heading into the final term.
Both sides piled on the goals in a defence-free final term. Richmond added seven majors to their embarrassing three-quarter time total via a couple of Riewoldt and more to Matt Arnot, Chris Newman and Matt Thomas. But the Tigers’ pressure wasn’t able to match the sudden scoring output as Pendlebury, Beams and a well-earned goal from White wrapped up the contest.
“We played our role, all worked together and built a big enough lead, but that last quarter we got a bit sloppy and messy so we’ll have a look at that,” Pendlebury said post-match.
“They kicked 3.10 at three quarter-time, but I felt we forced them wide with those shots and tonight we were able to capitalise moving forward.”
A 30-possession night from Beams (3 goals, 8 clearances, 7 inside 50s) led all players while Swan added 27 (2 goals) and Pendlebury a further 24 with three goals. White took seven marks and bagged three majors. Dustin Martin led the Tigers with 29 touches and a goal and Lloyd added three goals and 22 disposals.
Collingwood tackle North Melbourne at the MCG next Saturday while the Tigers have a winnable contest against Brisbane at the Gabba on Friday night.
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