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Match Preview: Collingwood v Richmond
3:36:49 PM Mon 24 March, 2003
Barry Levinson
afl.com.au
MATCH: Collingwood v Richmond
WHEN & WHERE: MCG, 7.40pm (AEST), Friday, 28 March
COVERAGE: TV: Channel Nine - Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane, Sydney. Radio: Triple M, 3AW, 3LO.
LAST TIME: Collingwood 13.11 (89) defeated Richmond 7.7 (49) at the MCG, round 16, 2002. In the midst of a nine-game losing streak the Tigers looked capable of causing a big upset, holding the Magpies to just two goals at half-time. But Collingwood slammed on 11 goals to three in the second half, to record a comfortable win, Nick Davis and Josh Fraser booting three each.
THE MEDICAL ROOM: For the Magpies, key big men Fraser and Simon Prestigiacomo face tests on suspect ankles, but suspension will keep Paul Licuria, Scott Burns and Jason Cloke out. The Tigers have only three players unavailable, but they are a pretty handy trio, nonetheless. Brad Ottens (back) and Ben Holland (knee) are several weeks away, while Andrew Krakouer (knee) will miss another 1-2 weeks.
THE FORM: The Magpies could not have been more impressive during their pre-season campaign, until they stumbled in the final of the Wizard Home Loans Cup against the Crows. The Tigers looked ordinary over the pre-season, losing easily to Melbourne, Fremantle and Sydney and only notching up a win over reigning wooden spooners, Carlton. Confidence is not high.
WHO'S HOT: After treading water for three years, Rhyce Shaw looks ready to make an impact at AFL level. With Burns suspended, an opportunity has opened up for Shaw as a half-back / wingman in the strong Collingwood side. Dual Adelaide premiership player Kane Johnson is a welcome addition to the Richmond midfield and will add hardness and quality to their engine room.
WHO'S NOT: My learned colleague Kevin Diggerson who predicted that Richmond would make the eight this year but Collingwood would not. What was he thinking?
KEY MATCH-UPS: Shane Wakelin is likely to be the man assigned the job of stopping Matthew Richardson, but he would like to have Prestigiacomo around him for support. Still, the Tigers forward line does not look as threatening without Ottens. Duncan Kellaway has been earmarked for his usual tagging role on Nathan Buckley.
ALL-TIME CLASSIC: Collingwood supporters will not agree, but the 1980 grand final lives long in the memory, as it was Richmond's last premiership. The 81-point margin was a record at the time and Kevin Bartlett won the Norm Smith with seven goals.
WE THINK: On pre-season form alone, it is impossible to tip Richmond. The Magpies, with the three suspended players, look slightly vulnerable, but are in a different class. Collingwood by 35 points.
3:36:49 PM Mon 24 March, 2003
Barry Levinson
afl.com.au
MATCH: Collingwood v Richmond
WHEN & WHERE: MCG, 7.40pm (AEST), Friday, 28 March
COVERAGE: TV: Channel Nine - Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane, Sydney. Radio: Triple M, 3AW, 3LO.
LAST TIME: Collingwood 13.11 (89) defeated Richmond 7.7 (49) at the MCG, round 16, 2002. In the midst of a nine-game losing streak the Tigers looked capable of causing a big upset, holding the Magpies to just two goals at half-time. But Collingwood slammed on 11 goals to three in the second half, to record a comfortable win, Nick Davis and Josh Fraser booting three each.
THE MEDICAL ROOM: For the Magpies, key big men Fraser and Simon Prestigiacomo face tests on suspect ankles, but suspension will keep Paul Licuria, Scott Burns and Jason Cloke out. The Tigers have only three players unavailable, but they are a pretty handy trio, nonetheless. Brad Ottens (back) and Ben Holland (knee) are several weeks away, while Andrew Krakouer (knee) will miss another 1-2 weeks.
THE FORM: The Magpies could not have been more impressive during their pre-season campaign, until they stumbled in the final of the Wizard Home Loans Cup against the Crows. The Tigers looked ordinary over the pre-season, losing easily to Melbourne, Fremantle and Sydney and only notching up a win over reigning wooden spooners, Carlton. Confidence is not high.
WHO'S HOT: After treading water for three years, Rhyce Shaw looks ready to make an impact at AFL level. With Burns suspended, an opportunity has opened up for Shaw as a half-back / wingman in the strong Collingwood side. Dual Adelaide premiership player Kane Johnson is a welcome addition to the Richmond midfield and will add hardness and quality to their engine room.
WHO'S NOT: My learned colleague Kevin Diggerson who predicted that Richmond would make the eight this year but Collingwood would not. What was he thinking?
KEY MATCH-UPS: Shane Wakelin is likely to be the man assigned the job of stopping Matthew Richardson, but he would like to have Prestigiacomo around him for support. Still, the Tigers forward line does not look as threatening without Ottens. Duncan Kellaway has been earmarked for his usual tagging role on Nathan Buckley.
ALL-TIME CLASSIC: Collingwood supporters will not agree, but the 1980 grand final lives long in the memory, as it was Richmond's last premiership. The 81-point margin was a record at the time and Kevin Bartlett won the Norm Smith with seven goals.
WE THINK: On pre-season form alone, it is impossible to tip Richmond. The Magpies, with the three suspended players, look slightly vulnerable, but are in a different class. Collingwood by 35 points.
