Collingwood vs Richmond: Match Preview
My Team for Saturday
B: Clement, Maxwell, Shaw.
HB: Johnson, J.Cloke, Cole.
C: Woewodin, Buckley, Licuria.
HF: Lonie, Walker, Rowe.
F: Tarrant, Fraser, Lockyer.
R: Crow, Burns, Shackleton.
INTER: McGough, Lokan, McKee, Holland.
EMERG: H.Shaw, O’Bree, B.Shaw.
IN: Crow, Shackleton, McGough, Tarrant.
OUT: O’Bree, King, Prestigiacomo, Davis.
After crushing the Bulldogs in the finals quarter last week, Collingwood will now look to add another nail into the Richmond coffin by running the hapless Tigers into the turf. Despite injury ravaging the side, Collingwood can still look to the future, by blooding new players in hope that they become the next Black and White superstars. With Buckley, Fraser and Burns firing, there is no way the Tigers can find a way to victory.
In defence, the key to victory is covering the enigmatic Tiger Matthew Richardson. Big Richardson has had a season hampered by injury, but when on the park there aren’t many players more dangerous then him. Magpies’ coach Mick Malthouse will have his name written in big bold letters on his white board, letting his possible opponents Tristan Walker and Nick Maxwell realise that they must be prepared. Richardson prefers to run up the ground to receive his marks, rather than wrestle in the goalsquare. Maxwell may be considered a better option then Walker, as he is faster and more agile then big Tex. Maxwell will be able to follow Richardson up the ground and is a competitor – a characteristic that Malthouse likes to see in his players. One thing that may count in Walker’s favour is his recent history on Richardson. Walker went toe-to-toe with Richardson back in round one 2003, where Richardson scored one goal six. Walker’s experience may count in his favour. Without Richardson, the Tigers forward line lack potency. Star recruit Nathan Brown has given his all for the duration of the season to show that he did not move just for the money. Brown has played as a half forward flanker, switching into the midfield but with his return from injury he may be nursed back as a small forward. Mick Malthouse will no doubt be awake up to it and expect to see underrated Magpie Ben Johnson get the first crack at Brown. Last week against the Demons, Kayne Pettifer showed that he may have what it takes to hold down a forward post as he nailed four goals in a promising performance. He will most likely be matched up by Richard Cole, who has played well in recent weeks. Other than that, the Tigers forward line is an unknown quantity but if ruckman Brad Ottens floats back there, James Clement has the height and mobility to with big Ottens and will look to run off him.
In the midfield, the Tigers will be bolstered by the possible return of stars Wayne Campbell and Mark Coughlin, who have been sidelined with injury. Both are previous best and fairest winners at Tigerland and demand respect. Paul Licuria has an interesting history against Campbell, with both enjoying a fiery relationship since round 16 2002, when Licuria destroyed Campbell and stopped any influence he had on the match. Coughlin, on the other hand, will be targeted by the Magpies number one tagger Brodie Holland. Holland is just the player for Coughlin, with his pace and tenacity expected to be too much for the Tiger star. Holland also has the capacity to hurt Coughlin on the rebound, with his pace and strength at the stoppages keys to winning the clearances. For Collingwood, skipper Nathan Buckley, Scott Burns and Shane Woewodin will be the keys to a Pies win. Although Buckley and Burns have played forward in recent weeks, both will rotate through the midfield in a bid to break the Tigers backs. Buckley will be tagged by Tim Fleming, while Burns will go head-to-head with Kane Johnson. Woewodin may take on a different role, in quelling Joel Bowden’s influence. Bowden has been regularly winning 30 or more possessions for Richmond while Woewodin has been out of form in recent weeks. Woewodin’s first role in AFL football was as a tagger at Melbourne, and may be called upon to follow Bowden. Also expect to see Magpie youngsters Julian Rowe and Luke Shackleton float across the midfield, as the Pies look to blood their younger players. In the ruck, Josh Fraser and Steven McKee have a huge task up against Tiger champion Brad Ottens. Both Magpies have been in terrific form in recent weeks and take on the Tigers full of confidence. Ottens and the Tigers will be prepared for it and will have someone to run with Fraser when he moves forward.
In the forward fifty, Collingwood are again badly undermanned without stars Alan Didak and Anthony Rocca, but welcome back Chris Tarrant to the goalsquare, as Tarrant has been absent since round 15 against Geelong. Tarrant is ready for a return to senior football and there is no better stage then against a weak Richmond. Tarrant will be followed by Tiger tall Darren Gasper, who has been a shadow of his former self since his knee injuries of the past two seasons. Tarrant will look to lead up the field, putting pressure on Gasper’s already suspect knees. Josh Fraser will be followed by former All-Australian full back Andrew Kellaway. Kellaway has stood tall all season in a tough time for Richmond but his spirit may be broken by Fraser, who was red hot against the Bulldogs last week and will be ready to go again. The last of the Magpie tall targets left up forward is Tristan Walker. Walker was excellent last week against the Western Bulldogs, and could have been better had he kicked accurately (2.4). His presence means that he simply has to be watched, with Ben Marsh, the possible man for the job. Marsh needs to resurrect his career, and he must start with Walker on Saturday. Tarkyn Lockyer has played a variety of roles at Collingwood over the duration of his career, and will be expected to play the role of a small forward. With his accurate kicking and exquisite skills, Lockyer is a handful for any defender. Mark Chaffey has played a variety of roles at the Tigers this year and may get a go on Lockyer.
At the end olf the day, there is only one thing standing in front of Collingwood in defeating Richmond – Matthew Richardson. With him well held, the Pies should win comfortably.
FINAL PREDICTION: COLLINGWOOD BY 20 POINTS.
Collingwood vs Richmond: Match Preview
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