Round 8 – Richmond v Collingwood: Glass Half Full (Floreat Pica Society)

 

 

Richmond v Collingwood

Saturday 7 May 2022, 1.45pm

The MCG

 

Glass Half Full

 

by Guy Fazzino

 

Preamble

 

The challenge when reporting on a match after a demoralising loss, especially against a traditional foe, is to avoid cynicism and negativity, because it attracts you like a magnet. As a passionate Floreat Pican, I feel it is my duty to provide hope and positivity to the faithful, as priests do in their sermons to the congregation. We all want to believe, we yearn for validation, for inspiration. We all want our faith reaffirmed, especially during times like these.

 

Yes, we could all see that Moore had a shocker, especially in the first half, that our rucks were monstered by the opposition’s (oh to have Max Lynch), that Brown and Bianco were just ‘space invaders’ who offered very little, that the Pies lost every quarter bar the last, when it was a foregone conclusion, that Hoskin-Elliott butchered most of his eight kicks (granted two were goals) and that Josh Daicos had a game he’d rather forget. So I won’t go there. Instead, with one eye firmly shut, I’ll focus on the positives.

 

So on a grey and gloomy Saturday afternoon in front of 64,481 fans, many of whom anticipating the return of their prodigal son Dustin Martin, the 214th instalment of this inner suburban rivalry unfolded ……

 

 

First Quarter

 

In a tight first quarter, it was evident that the contest was going to be between the run and gun style of the Pies versus the more clinical, more seasoned ball users of the Tigers. As it transpired, the Pies were getting shaded by bigger bodies in the clinches. Lynch was in everything, Balta was dominating the air and Short was damaging around the packs.

 

Collingwood highlights:

• Quaynor’s chase on Riewoldt to stop a certain goal
• Noble’s intensity and thirst for the contest
• Sidebottom’s tap over to Henry who passes to McCreery who goals as the siren sounds

 

Pies 2.3.15 Tigers 3.3.21

 

 

Second Quarter

 

After a spirited 10-15 minute period by the Pies which sees them within a goal of Richmond, the Tigers skip away with three goals in the last three minutes of the quarter, including two from Lynch who is having a picnic on Moore. This proves to be the turning point of the match.

 

Collingwood highlights:

• Pendlebury’s tapped intercept in the middle of the ground, resulting in a snap goal to Mihocek
• Clean, slick, attractive ball movement from defence into attack on several occasions

 

Two very gettable set shots missed by McCreery and Henry, followed by another opportunity lost when McCreery is called for a high tackle, could have changed the complexion of the second quarter during their period of ascendancy.

 

 

Pies 5.7.37 Tigers 9.7.61

 

Third Quarter

 

Richmond get out to a five goal lead early, Collingwood playing catch up from then on. Martin’s influence growing the longer the game goes and Bolton, Cotchin and Graham providing significant contributions. Tigers just have more players impacting the game and have greater composure going inside 50.

 

Collingwood highlights:

• Beautiful, running goal from Crisp outside fifty
• DeGoey and Crisp providing drive and generating a number of attacks
• Lapinski busy without being damaging

 

 

Pies squander a number of half chances in front of goal – missed snaps from DeGoey (post), McCreery (post – second for him) and J Daicos (twice) prove costly. Richmond’s Mansell is booked for a crude and cowardly act on Ginnivan in the middle of a scrum just as the siren sounds for three quarter time.

 

Pies 8.11.59 Tigers 13.10.86

 

 

Fourth Quarter

 

If it wasn’t already, Richmond put the game beyond doubt in the first half of the quarter, adding three goals to get out to a match high 47 point lead. The Pies add some respectability by running the game out, kicking the next 4 goals to eventually lose by 27 points which was a fair reflection of the difference between the two sides today.

 

 

Collingwood highlights:

• Hoskin-Elliott’s screamer and subsequent goal
• Their desire to continue to attack, which won them many admirers

 

 

Final Score: Pies 12.14.86 Tigers 17.11.113

 

In summary, the Pies were outdone in contested possessions, efficiency inside 50 and were burned on turnovers. The Tigers were cleaner with the ball and just had a bit more polish and composure. Nevertheless, there was still a lot to like about Collingwood.

 

 

• Four of Collingwood’s points hit the post
• But for a poor first half by Moore, the difference at half time could have been much closer
• Collingwood’s obvious willingness to attack via the corridor is very refreshing and attractive to watch, even though it can lead to being ‘burnt’ going the other way
• After eight games, the Pies are 4 and 4 with a percentage over 100
• This is a team with a lot of young players still learning how to play and how to win. There will be ups and downs during the season.
• Getting games into players such as Ginnivan, N Daicos, Henry and Begg will prove invaluable moving forward, especially exposure to big games as they learn what it takes to win
• In the grand scheme of things, this team is a work in progress with a lot to like. With a teaching and intelligent coaching panel, supporters should be bullish about the future

 

 

Postscript

 

There is no shame in seeking consolation and solace from Monthy Python’s brilliant little ditty after games like this because you should: Always Look on the Bright Side of Life!

 

Votes

3 – Jack Crisp. Provided drive all day and kicked a marvellous goal

2 – John Noble. Attacked the ball with his customary ferocity but he also took some telling marks, laid some crunching tackles, and generally was a thorn in Richmond’s side

1 – Scott Pendlebury. Has adjusted to his new role with his customary aplomb. Almost always used the ball well and brought others around him into the game

 

Lapinski and N Daicos, while accumulating possessions, were not damaging. DeGoey had a good third quarter.

 

==

RICHMOND               3.3       9.7       13.10       17.11 (113)
COLLINGWOOD        2.3      5.7       8.11     12.14 (86)

 

 

GOALS  
Richmond: Lynch 6, Martin, Riewoldt, Bolton 2, Castagna, Cotchin, Lambert, Pickett

Collingwood:  Ginnivan 3, Mihocek, Hoskin-Elliott, Henry 2, Crisp, Adams, McCreery

 

 

BEST  
Richmond: Lynch, Short, Graham, Cotchin, Bolton, Nankervis, Balta, Martin
Collingwood:  Crisp, Adams, Lipinski, N. Daicos, Cameron, Pendlebury, Ginnivan

 

 

INJURIES
Richmond: Nil 
Collingwood: Quaynor (finger)

 

 

SUBSTITUTES
Richmond: Sydney Stack (unused)
Collingwood: Jack Madgen (unused)

 

 

Crowd: 64,481 at the MCG

 

 

 

Read more reports from the Floreat Pica Society HERE.

 

 

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