Preview Round 7: Collingwood v Richmond

AFL

SUMMARY

Collingwood v Richmond Sunday May 17, 3.20pm MCG 7mate / Fox Sports3 3.00pm Weather: Min 6 Max 19 Chance of rain 10%: < 1mm Wind: SE 13kph Betting: Collingwood $1.65 Richmond $2.25

Richmond defender Troy Chaplin summed up the fallout from his team's loss to North Melbourne when he said "it's been a common theme for a long period of time".
Patience is running thin with the Tigers and familiar names are not getting the job done after two wins in six games.
For 4-2 Collingwood, their impressive start to the season hit a snag in round six when Geelong caused one of many upsets across the weekend.
The Magpies fell 52 points behind at half-time and couldn't control the ball, eventually losing by 41 points at the MCG.

LAST FIVE TIMES

1. R4, 2014, Collingwood 16.14 (110) d Richmond 10.12 (72) at the MCG
2. R4, 2013, Collingwood 16.17 (113) d Richmond 11.13 (79) at the MCG
3. R2, 2012, Collingwood 12.13 (85) d Richmond 8.16 (64) at the MCG
4. R4, 2011, Collingwood 24.17 (161) d Richmond 13.12 (90) at the MCG
5. R17, 2010, Collingwood 19.13 (127) d Richmond 6.9 (45) at the MCG

THE SIX POINTS

1. Collingwood’s midfield was the difference between these sides in 2014, with now departed Dayne Beams best on ground with 30 disposals and three goals. Dane Swan (27 and two goals) and Scott Pendlebury (24 and three goals) were also influential.
2. The Magpies have been strong in contested possessions in 2015 and are ranked No.1 with an average of 153 a game. The Tigers are ranked 11th with 134.2 a game.
3. Collingwood has dominated Richmond recently winning the past seven matches, including three wins by more than 70 points. Damien Hardwick is 0-5 so far against the Magpies.
4. Both teams have struggled in centre clearances in 2015. Richmond is ranked 14th with 11.5 a game while Collingwood is 16th with 10.3 a game.
5. Collingwood is ranked second in 2015 for marks inside 50 with a total of 87, but Richmond isn’t far behind, equal third with 85.
6. Of Richmond's top 16 players in the Official AFL Player Ratings, brought to you by Gatorade, 12 of them are trending down. Only Ivan Maric, Dustin Martin, Jack Riewoldt and Troy Chaplin moved north after round six.

IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR …
Damien Hardwick and the Richmond match committee. Has the time come for an injection of youth, or will the Tigers persist with the players they have shown faith in for a number of years? Sticking with young players for an extended period in the seniors might be tough in the short-term but better for the club's future. It's time for tough decisions.

PREDICTION: Collingwood by 28 points