Round 4 Preview: Collingwood v Richmond

AFL
 

Collingwood v Richmond Saturday, April 20 2.10pm MCG Fox Sports Weather: Min 9 Max 18 Chance of rain 5%: <1mm Wind 22k SSE Betting: Collingwood $1.80 Richmond $2.00

SUMMARY: The Tiger army is celebrating the club's best start to a season since 1995 with three wins in a row against Carlton, St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs. Their 67-point win against the Dogs on Sunday was their most complete, with the midfield in devastating form and Jack Riewoldt booting five goals after a slow start. Meanwhile, the Magpies lost their first game for the season on Sunday after wins over North Melbourne and Carlton. They have a lengthy injury list that includes Nick Maxwell, Dayne Beams, Darren Jolly and Luke Ball but coach Nathan Buckley wouldn't use that as an excuse for why they fell to Hawthorn by 55 points.

LAST FIVE TIMES
Rd 2, 2012, Collingwood 12.13 (85) d Richmond 8.16 (64) MCG
Rd 4, 2011, Collingwood 24.17 (161) d Richmond 13.12 (90) MCG
Rd 17, 2010, Collingwood 19.13 (127) d Richmond 6.9 (45) MCG
Rd 20, 2009, Collingwood 22.20 (152) d Richmond 8.11 (59) MCG
Rd 3, 2008, Collingwood 18.14 (122) d Richmond 11.12 (78) MCG

THE SIX POINTS

1. Collingwood defeated Richmond the last time the sides met, winning by 21 points in round two early in the 2012 season at the MCG.
2. In that victory, Travis Cloke booted three goals and Dane Swan collected three Brownlow votes for his 32 possessions. Brett Deledio was best for the Tigers with 35 possessions and two goals.
3. Collingwood has dominated Richmond recently, winning the past five matches by an average margin of 62 points.
4. Richmond last defeated Collingwood in round 19, 2007 at the MCG. Fourth-year Richmond coach Damien Hardwick is winless against the Magpies.
5. This will be the 200th clash between the sides with the Magpies holding the advantage with 114 wins to 84, and one draw.
6. At the MCG, the teams have met 63 times with 32 wins to Collingwood and 31 to Richmond, with the highest home-and-away attendance to watch these teams 92,436 in round 4, 1977 at the MCG.