RICHMOND has consolidated its spot on top of the ladder with a 43-point win over Collingwood, an eight-goal final term inflating the final margin from what was a hard-fought clash.
Both teams entered the game off shortened breaks but each attacked the contest with a ferocity that belied any signs of weariness, while the Magpies' fighting performance against the reigning premier underlined their genuine finals claims.
Collingwood led at stages in each of the first three quarters, and as late as the 22-minute mark of the third term.
But the Tigers' unrelenting pressure eventually broke yet another opponent as they piled on the next five goals – the first three from Josh Caddy on his return from a hamstring injury – and the last four goals of the game to seal an impressive 16.17 (113) to 10.10 (70) victory.
Richmond's win was its third in a row against Collingwood and its fifth from the teams' last six clashes.
Trent Cotchin (29 possessions and five inside 50s) led the way for his team with his class and tireless work rate through the midfield, while Dustin Martin (29 possessions and 10 clearances) rode shotgun with his captain and put the final nail through the Magpies' coffin with a classy goal on the run late in the final term.
Dion Prestia (25 possessions) and Kane Lambert (24) were also important contributors, while Bachar Houli (21) and Jayden Short (eight rebound 50s) were Richmond's principal rebounders, and Caddy (four goals), Jack Riewoldt (three) and Dan Butler (three) were lively in attack.
Toby Nankervis and Brodie Grundy fought an enthralling battle in the ruck. Although Grundy (24 possessions and 33 hit-outs) dominated the ruck contests and claimed the points around the ground, Nankervis (29 possessions and 10 marks) provided stiff resistance and thwarted three Collingwood attacks in a row at the start of the final term with intercept marks.
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said the final margin had flattered his team and praised Collingwood for an "outstanding" performance.
"It was probably a three or four (goal) ball game," Hardwick said. "I thought they were great. Their pressure in and around the contest was first-class."
"We knew it was going to be a fight coming in and that was certainly what we got for close to three quarters.
"I was really also very proud of our players. It was very much a grind for those three quarters and then we managed to get the game a little bit more on our own terms, which we were hoping would eventuate at some stage."
Coming off a four-day break after their Anzac Day win over Essendon – the Tigers entered the game off a five-day break – the Magpies lost no friends with their endeavour over the first three quarters.
Tom Phillips (38 possessions) and Adam Treloar (42) were prolific ball-winners for the Magpies, while Steele Sidebottom (25) and Scott Pendlebury (29) were valuable contributors as usual.
Jeremy Howe (30 possessions and 12 marks) proved an aerial stumbling block for the Tigers time and time again across half-back and provided his team with plenty of counter-attack.
The first half was high on pressure and short on open space as both teams attacked the contest with manic intent.
Richmond opened the game with four consecutive behinds before finally kicking the match's first goal at the 13-minute mark via a booming Jayden Short set shot from 55m.
Collingwood hit back with the next two goals, through Scott Pendlebury and Mason Cox, to take a four-point lead late in the quarter.
However, Jack Higgins ensured Richmond went into the first break with an eight-point advantage with a two-goal play that came after he snapped a goal from close range and then added another immediately when Lynden Dunn gave away a free kick for bumping him as he celebrated his first goal.
The Tigers stretched their lead to 14 points when Jack Riewoldt kicked a goal inside the opening minute of the second term.
But the Magpies hit back with the next three goals via Cox, who was troubling the Tigers' defence with his height, and Will Hoskin-Elliott, who kicked the final two majors of the quarter, including one after the half-time siren that put his team four points ahead.
It set the scene for a gripping second half. Until the Tigers killed the suspense with their powerhouse final term.
COLLINGWOOD 2.2 5.7 7.9 10.10 (70)
RICHMOND 3.4 4.9 8.14 16.17 (113)
GOALS
Collingwood: Reid 2, Hoskin-Elliott 2, Cox 2, Pendlebury, De Goey, Treloar, Stephenson
Richmond: Caddy 4, Riewoldt 3, Butler 3, Higgins 2,Castagna 2, Short, Martin
BEST
Collingwood: Phillips, Grundy, Crisp, Pendlebury, Treloar, Sidebottom
Richmond: Cotchin, Nankervis, Martin, Grimes, Houli, Prestia, Caddy
INJURIES
Collingwood: Aish (left knee)
Richmond:
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Deboy, Hosking, Chamberlain
Official crowd: 72,157 at the MCG
