RICHMOND: 3.0 7.3 10.7 14.8 (92)COLLINGWOOD: 5.2 6.3 8.7 11.11 (77)
By MATTHEW BALMER
A week is a long time in footy.
Just six days ago, Richmond were belted around the park after losing to the GWS Giants by 88 points, prompting the media to question whether Richmond coach Damien Hardwick was still the right man for the job.
Nevertheless, the Tigers stuck together and pulled off an unexpected win over Collingwood - which looked unlikely as the side trailed 25-0 13 minutes into the contest.
Richmond’s leaders stood up late in the contest with Hardwick declaring that captain Trent Cotchin’s final quarter was nothing short of outstanding.
Collingwood allowed Richmond to dictate the majority of the contest, seeing the Tigers mark the ball at will. The Tigers lead the uncontested marks 132-92 and it ensured the Tigers were allowed to move the ball forward far too easily.
In his 150th game for the club, Dustin Martin racked up 34 disposals and was influential throughout the contest, strengthening his chances as one of the few challengers to Geelong’s Patrick Dangerfield for the Brownlow Medal.
Teammate Alex Rance may be the only danger to Martin claiming the three votes from last night’s game with a sterling effort in defence as he notched up 26 disposals and eight marks.
Fifth gamer Oleg Markov played his best game in the Yellow and Black, finishing with 26 disposals and 12 marks playing across half-back.
Hardwick was pleased with Markov’s effort, making note of his performance post-match.
“He’s a player I liked (Markov). His ability to cover the ground [is great] … it’s really exciting to see a player take the game on,” Hardwick said.
After only mustering three goals last weekend as a team, Jack Riewoldt beat that effort with a solo four goal performance, making it his fourth bag of four for the season.
Collingwood midfielders Jack Crisp (25 disposals), Taylor Adams (25 disposals) and Adam Treloar (24 disposals) were strong in the middle for the Pies, but ultimately they could not get their hands on the ball enough compared to their direct opposition.
In his second AFL game, the Pies’ Rupert Wills showed good signs for the future with 20 disposals and eight tackles while James Aish backed up his strong performance against the Eagles with 18 disposals and three contested marks.
Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley was frustrated with his sides’ performance.
“It was really disappointing, the first ten minutes was great…and then we proceeded to play the worst three quarters we’ve played of the year.” Buckley said.
Collingwood will be sweating on the fitness of captain Scott Pendlebury, who suffered an ankle injury in the last quarter. Pendlebury was left icing up his ankle in the final term on the bench and looks unlikely to take on the Western Bulldogs next Friday night.
The Tigers themselves with have another test, coming up against top four side Geelong next Sunday. The Tigers have not beaten Geelong since 2006 and will face an uphill battle to defeat the Cats.
THE WRAP-UPGOALSRichmond: Riewoldt 4, Vickery 2, Moore, Marcon, Grigg, Drummond, Martin, Rioli, Ellis, LloydCollingwood: Cox 2, Aish 2, Adams, Cloke, Crocker, Varcoe, Wills, Pendlebury, White BEST Richmond: Martin, Rance, Cotchin, Grigg, Markov, HouliCollingwood: Crisp, Sidebottom, Aish, Adams, Smith, Wills INJURIES Richmond: NoneCollingwood: Cox (shoulder), Pendlebury (ankle) REPORTS: Nil UMPIRES: Jeff Dalgleish, David Harris, Scott Jeffery OFFICIAL CROWD: 49,122 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground