That old school footy feeling, that’s what occurs when Richmond play Collingwood at the MCG. It’s well known that the Tigers and Magpies have the most passionate, loud and downright football mad fans in the AFL, so when they clash there’s always an added component to the game. This Sunday at the MCG the two will get together for the first time in 2015 in what has become a crucial game, especially for the Tigers. Richmond are in trouble, let’s not beat around the bush here, they sit with a 2-4 win loss record after 6 games and their draw hasn’t been extremely hard. Coming off finals last season the Tigers were expected to push for a spot in the 8 again this year but just like 2014 they have started the season slowly. Collingwood on the other hand started the season better then most expected, and sit in a lofty third place on the ladder with a 4-2 win loss record. Simply put Richmond need to win this game or face a mounting backlash from their members, supporters and the football media.

PREVIOUS FORM

Collingwood started this season with a bang, winning 4 of their first 5 games to have them near the top of the ladder. Wins over Brisbane, St Kilda, Essendon and Carlton were all emphatic and it looked as if this Magpies outfit was on the rise once again. Then came the match versus Geelong last Friday night. The signs weren’t good early on, Geelong were desperate, they needed a win to keep them on track for the finals and Collingwood just didn’t look to have that same intensity that they had weeks before. The Cats jumped out to a 52 point lead at half time and from there the result was a foregone conclusion. The Pies fought back hard in the third quarter and early in the last had the chance to close to within 17 points, but once again inaccurate kicking at goal from several forwards cost them dearly. It was a wake up call of sorts for a Collingwood team that had previously looked formidable.

Richmond started season 2015 well with wins over Carlton and Brisbane in their first 3 games and a competitive loss to the rampant Western Bulldogs. Since that round 3 win in Brisbane though they have been ordinary to say the least, with losses against Melbourne, Geelong and North Melbourne leaving them on the precipice of irrelevance. Senior coach Damien Hardwick has hinted at big changes that may include some younger players to rejuvenate the playing group. The loss to North Melbourne on Saturday summed up the Tigers season so far, competitive and at times dominant, but not able to compete at a high level for four quarters. Somehow they will have to find a way to improve or face falling to 2-5 this weekend.

COLLINGWOOD PREVIEW

After six completed games Collingwood would be satisfied with a 4-2 win/loss record yet would know there are obvious areas for improvement. The losses to Geelong and Adelaide have come about more so due to a lack of intensity on the day more then anything tactical or concerning skills. The use of the ball is a problem for the Magpies though, they rank number 2 for contested possessions, showing they can win the ball, but also have the third worse disposal efficiency in the AFL. The latter is a concern for sure, especially when the game has evolved to the point where turnovers are as much a scoring mechanism as anything today. The absence of Paul Seedsman, Steele Sidebottom and Ben Reid has reduced that number and if the Pies can get those players back into the side soon they may be able to remedy their biggest weakness. In regards to intensity and more so being a side that relies almost entirely on it, there’s not much more the coaching staff can do. With a younger playing list then most other clubs the Magpies will be inconsistent this season and it’s really something that can’t be predicted accurately. After a loss like the one last week to the Cats there is a greater chance that the intensity level will be high on Sunday.

The one positive to come out of the loss to Geelong was the lack of injuries for once. After losing Seedsman and Ramsay the week before only Sam Dwyer is under an injury cloud of the 22 who played against the Cats. Seedsman himself is a chance to return while Ramsay and the uber talented Steele Sidebottom are probably still one week away from being available. The VFL side had a stunning win up at Bendigo against the Cats reserves though, with youngsters De Goey, Gault, Kennedy and Marsh once again putting their hands up for selection. The return to form of live wire forward Alex Fasolo wouldn’t have gone unnoticed either as he gathered 16 disposals and 3 goals. It gives the selection committee at Collingwood a chance to pick a very strong 22 against a Tigers side that won’t have too many surprises in stall for them, unlike the Cats.

OPPOSITION ANALYSIS.

Being a Richmond supporter can’t be easy, it’s been 35 years since their last premiership win now, and 14 years since they’ve been seen in the final four, a preliminary final. Yet their fans remain as passionate and as loyal as any in the league. Last season the club repaid a little of that faith with a stunning run of form in the second half of the season to sneak into the final 8 and set up an elimination final versus Port Adelaide. Of course that final was over before it had barely began but it gave the Tigers hope leading into season 2015. They started this season well enough too, and sat with a 2-1 win/loss record after 3 rounds. Since then though the doubts have set and for the most part they have performed well below expectations. Sitting with only 2 wins after 6 games this really does become a must win game for Richmond.

Richmond’s forward line is an area that has to improve. With a heavy reliance of star full forward Jack Riewoldt, the Tigers are really lacking for support for their Coleman medal winning goal kicker. Apart from Riewoldt only one other Tiger averages more then a goal a game and that’s Ben Griffiths who is doubt for this game afters suffering concussion in the loss to the Kangaroos. The coaching staff may turn to youngster Liam McBean or the ever frustrating Tyrone Vickery to assist Riewoldt this week but they are really lacking for quality options. Against a Magpies defense that is as good as any in the league at the moment coach Damien Hardwick will have to figure out an effective way to score of risk having the ball rebound out of forward 50 too easily.

The Tigers midfield is full of star names but in recent weeks it has under performed to say the least. Richmond rank in the bottom six of the league for contested possessions and clearances and it’s clearly an area that they need to improve upon. They do come up against a Collingwood team missing Levi Greenwood and Steele Sidebottom from their central core so this may be an opportunity for a better output from the Tigers midfield. Led by captain Trent Cotchin along with Brett Deledio, Dustin Martin, Anthony Miles, Brandon Ellis and Shaun Grigg they really should be winning more of the contested ball then they do. One are they may be able to get on top of the Pies is in the ruck, with class ruckman Ivan Maric in good form although he does have little support. Whether the Magpies decide to play two genuine rucks versus Maric will be an interesting thing to look out for when the final squads are announced. To win this game this is an area that Richmond will at least have to break even in to have any hope of no falling to their fifth loss of the season.

The Richmond backline should be an area of strength with Troy Chaplin, Alex Rance and Jake Batchelor holding down the key position defensive posts. It seems Richmond have had a focus on the defensive side to their game also this season with a game style that has been described as ugly by some. One problem for Richmond is the ball movement out of defense, with plenty of turnovers already costing them dearly in season 2015. The ever reliable Chris Newman has been an offender also, and just maybe his best football is beyond him now. The good news for Richmond is the Collingwood forward line is dysfunctional at the moment. The Pies rely on Jamie Elliott and Travis Cloke to create most of their scoring chances and are really lacking any great assistance at the moment. The battle between the Richmond defense and the Collingwood offence may well decide just how close this game is going to be.

You would assume that Richmond will come out fired up for this game, they simply have to. If they fall to 2-6 on the season it’s hard to see them coming back and making the finals, even though they did last season. The good news is they have a shorter injury list then the Magpies and they face the Pies at a time when they are still an inconsistent team. There are plenty of options for Hardwick to consider after the Richmond VFL side had a big win last weekend. The likes of Dea, Vickery, Lennon, McBean, Arnot and Castagna have put their hands up and there is certain to be a few changes at least. Overall though the Tigers have to lift, they have to find a way to play consistently for four quarters or risk falling well off the pace so early in the season.

TIP.

This game may well be 3^rd vs 13^th on the AFL ladder but that doesn’t tell the whole story. Richmond are capable of playing a lot better then they are and the Magpies have been flattered a little by an easy draw. Having said that the Pies have so far won every game they should have, and maybe one they weren’t expected to win vs the Bombers on ANZAC day. The same can’t be said for Richmond who currently have only defeated the bottom two clubs.

Richmond has an advantage in terms of a healthier list although the Pies do seem to possess more depth and young talent then the current Tigers outfit. When it comes down to it though Collingwood should win this game, they will play better and have a higher intensity then they did last week and with a four quarter effort they will grab their fifth win of the season.

MAGPIES BY 21 POINTS.

Pre match Discussion Thread  on the BB – Round 07 – Collingwood vs Richmond - All comments

You Can read more of  mattys123 previews and other sports related posting over on his site at SportsMatt 

Follow mattys123 on twitter @mattys123