RICHMOND TIGERS VS COLLINGWOOD MAGPIES – THURSDAY 28 MARCH, 7:20PM, MCG
Round 2 of the 2019 Toyota AFL Season will begin with a rematch of last year’s preliminary final between rivals Richmond and Collingwood at the MCG Thursday night.
For Richmond their class stood firm against Carlton last week, running away victors by 33 points. The Tigers had to dig deep as the Blues got within 15 points at the final change.
Injury struck Tigers key defender Alex Rance in the third term when he clutched his right knee after landing awkwardly in a marking contest. He was assisted off the field in the arms of trainers with scans confirming that the 200 gamer had suffered a season ending ACL injury.
Tigers skipper Trent Cotchin was named best afield for Richmond with Jack Higgins, Bachar Houli, Toby Nankervis named amongst their best four.
Collingwood had their first game since the 2018 Grand Final loss to West Coast against the Geelong Cats at the MCG last Friday night.
Unlike the Tigers, Collingwood escaped their contest with all players showing a clean bill of health, which was handy given that Collingwood have only a six-day turnaround.
Collingwood lamented several missed opportunities in the second term, which saw them kick six consecutive points until Jamie Elliot was able to break the drought. It was a magnificent return for Elliot who had not played an AFL game in over 18 months. He contributed with three first half goals.
Adam Treloar was named the Pies best along with Darcy Moore, Scott Pendlebury and Tom Phillips.
This week:
For Richmond to win they will need to limit the disposal counts of Adam Treloar, Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom and Dayne Beams. Darcy Moore looked very comfortable at CHB last week and will be up for the challenge against the dangerous talls of Jack Riewoldt and Tom Lynch.
Richmond have had the edge over Collingwood in recent times, with the exception of last years prelim. The Tigers have won four of their last five against the Pies and look to have too much class up forward tonight.
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Team News:
Richmond: IN – Oleg Markov, Jason Castagna & Brandon Ellis
OUT – Bachar Houli (inj), Alex Rance (inj) & Noah Balta (omit)
Collingwood: IN – Levi Greenwood
OUT – Callum Brown (omit)
Supercoach Tips:
Richmond – Trade – Alex Rance who will be out for the season after sustaining an ACL injury.
Collingwood – Possible purchases – Both Darcy Moore and Jamie Elliot are within the $235k-$285k price bracket and had scores of 77 and 84 respectively last week.
Betting Insights:
Richmond have won 26 of its last 27 matches in Melbourne.
Richmond has won eight of its last nine Thursday night matches at the MCG by a margin of 1-39 points.
Scott Pendlebury has recorded 30+ disposals in four of Collingwood’s last five Round 2 matches.
Jack Riewoldt has kicked three or more goals in five of Richmond’s last six matches against Collingwood.
TIP: Richmond to make it two from two and avenge their preliminary final defeat
