Game Day AFL Round 19 - Matchday Discussion Collingwood@Richmond(MCG – 1:45PM)

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In what shapes up to be one of the biggest clashes of the season, Collingwood and Richmond go head to head at the MCG. Many have been looking forward to this game for some time now, with a huge crowd to attend on Saturday. This game has huge ramifications for either side, and where they could end up on the ladder by the end of the 2018 season.

While interstate woes have clouded Richmond’s season to a degree, the Tigers have been outstanding in Victoria, bullying aside any challengers. Last week, Richmond smashed the sorry Saints in a rather clinical fashion. Richmond were the better side from the first siren, and really used the match as a useful for percentage booster. For Collingwood, many expected their clash against North Melbourne to be a tight 50-50 affair, but Collingwood ended up running out 11 goal winners.

Collingwood

After a few slow matches coming off the bye, Collingwood were back to their best against North Melbourne. Collingwood made the quick start, and never looked back as they won in every area of the field. Scott Pendlebury was outstanding for Collingwood, as was Taylor Adams. Jeremy Howe was also brilliant for Collingwood, managing to restrict the impact of Ben Brown. The return to form has come in timely fashion for Collingwood, as they come up against the best team in the competition in Richmond. Many pundits have criticized the Magpies resume, stating that they haven’t been able to match it with a top eight team. The Magpies will have their work cut out for them, with Jordan De Goey suffering an injury on the Thursday before the game. This leaves the Magpies lacking small forward quality, which could be crucial.

The man to watch for Collingwood is Matthew Scharenberg. Scharenberg had a stellar start to the season, really showing what potential he had, after an injury interrupted start to his career. However, he has somewhat slowed down in the past month and a half. He will be tasked with playing on a very potent Richmond forward line, and while the Tigers may not have many tall targets, the forwards are dangerous, meaning Scharenberg will have to play to his best to help limit the impact of the Richmond forwards.


Richmond

Richmond has gone from strength to strength this season. The Tigers have put a lot of emphasis onto team chemistry, which has paid huge dividends. After falling to GWS, the Tigers bounced back wonderfully, smashing the Saints. Dion Prestia and Dustin Martin were excellent for the Tigers, along with Jack Riewoldt. The Magpies will be a tricky side for Richmond to face, as Collingwood does not necessarily rely on one or two forwards for goals. Like St Kilda, Collingwood rely on a high disposal, high marking game. Hardwick’s men must look to close off the switch that the Magpies have been using to great effect. Richmond will welcome back Jacob Townsend and Liam Baker, which should bolster the Richmond forward line.

The man to watch for Richmond is Dustin Martin. After a scintillating 2017 season, teams have put much more focus into Martin, which has caused his output to drop slightly in 2018. However, over recent weeks, Martin has been able to gain some good form. With Buckley’s long history of reluctance to implement a tag, Martin could have a field day, and help guide the Tigers to a win.


Matchups to watch

Grundy vs Nankervis

The two ruckman in Toby Nankervis and Brodie Grundy will meet once again on Saturday. The last time they met resulted in Brodie Grundy beaten by Nankervis. Nankervis managed to take control of the duel in the last quarter when the game was on the line, winning crucial contests, and taking crucial marks. While Grundy has had the better season, it will be interesting to see whether Nankervis has Grundy’s number, or his performance last time the two sides met was an anomaly.

Rance vs Cox

At the start of the season, not many thought that this would be such an intriguing battle. However, with Cox improving in leaps and bounds, this creates a matchup that is a much watch. Rance is one of the best defenders in the league, which will provide a big test for Cox. If Rance wants to nullify Cox, he will need to ensure that Cox’s run at the ball is limited, as well as watching the little tap-ons that Cox has been known for this season.


Head to Head odds

Collingwood: $3.20

Richmond: $1.36

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The run home…

So, it’s the pointy end of the season, and it’s necessary to see what a loss or win means for Collingwood. The ladder predictor will assume that all the other favorites win.

If Collingwood wins

They will remain where they are, but will be within a game of the top of the ladder. They will only move up to second if they record a big win over Richmond.


If Collingwood loses

They remain in third. However, if they suffer a big loss, and if Port Adelaide records a big win, Collingwood may drop to fourth.



Congratulations Brodie Grundy

The star ruckman celebrates his 100th game against Richmond. From the very first game in his career, Grundy looked like he belonged in the AFL, and despite a few hiccups in his first few seasons, he has been the number one ruckman for the Magpies. This season has seen Grundy take his game to the next level, contending for the Collingwood BigFooty board MVP, as well as an All Australian spot.







Tip

This is the season’s biggest test for Collingwood. Both sides are in good form, coming off big wins, and are playing at home. Collingwood will put on a good performance, but the Richmond experience to come through with a crucial victory and secure a top two spot.

Richmond by 25
 
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Pies by 45.

Tigers to have a bad day at the office. Pies to become premiership favourites. We will meet them again in the GF and beat them by 46 points.

Pendlebury 30 and 3.
Mihocek 5 goals
Reidwoldt to shank all set shots.
 
Great write up. Doubt Rance will match up on Cox though, probably Astbury.

Can’t deny I’m nervous about our chances, even if our “best” team was in we should still be rightful underdogs. They’re the reigning premier for a reason.

Turn up the pressure Pies, if you don’t get the 4 points then at least go down swinging!
 
The most excited I've been for a game in 5+ years.

Would love a win but would be happy with a solid 4 quarter performance and stick with them right till the end.
 

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Tigers by 10 points. This will be a lot closer than people think.

Unless we do the whole 'lose a couple of players' shit again, in which case it will be Tigers by 40...
 
Can not wait. Most excited I have been for a game in years. Take it up to them Pies!

Really looking to see us hopefully dominate midfield clearances and keep pressure on upfield to force kicks and allow Howe, Shaz and Langdon to intercept. Massive day for Cox. I daresy he is our most important player tomorrow. If he can get off to a flyer and put pressure on early, he can force two players to follow him for the day freeing up other options.
 
This is the game we can afford to drop. They are a long way ahead of us. Expect a comfortable win for them. It's the matches coming against Syd and PA in the next weeks that will tell us if we have really improved much in 2018. We need at least one win against Rich, Syd or PA to have made significant steps.
 
With the quality we're missing I don't see how Richmond bottles this one. The likes of Treloar and JDG will be massively missed.

Hope to be proven wrong, but just don't see us as having any chance against them.
 
All I want it for tomorrow is Buckley to learn the top 100 reasons to dismantle the Tigers in September.

I remember these type of games back in 2010 when we were playing Geelong and St Kilda. Mick learnt a lot from those mid season losses then we got them later when it counted.
That game where we beat the Saints by around 7 goals is where I started to believe. Make it happen Pies.
 
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