Richmond has let a 17-point lead late in the final term slip, as Collingwood kicked the final three goals of Friday night’s match to edge over the line by a point at the MCG.

The profligacy in front of goal which threatened to cost the Tigers four points seemed to have abated when Jack Riewoldt kicked his third goal of the final term at the 20-minute mark to push the lead to a game high.

But as they had done throughout the game, the Magpies pressed again. Alex Fasolo, a thorn in the side of Richmond on the night, especially after Dylan Grimes left the game with a leg injury late in the first quarter, added his fifth and sixth goals in quick succession.

A deliberate out of bounds free kick coming out of Richmond’s defence in the final minute gave the hosts a chance to reload and it was Brodie Grundy who snapped out of a pack with four seconds left on the clock to give the Magpies victory by the narrowest of margins.

Like Sam Lloyd last week, Riewoldt looked to have lifted to drag the side across the line late in the contest, but the ability to close out this match deserted the Tigers as Collingwood took full advantage of the door being left ajar.

The late burst at the end was the second time in the second half where the Magpies turned a deficit into an advantage courtesy of three quick goals.

In the space of four minutes in the third term, Richmond’s 11-point lead evaporated as Collingwood doubled their goal tally from the opening two quarters and eight minutes, in a warning sign of what was to eventually unfold.  

Captain Trent Cotchin finished the game as the highest possession-gatherer on the ground with 38 touches, eight clearances and five inside 50s, while Bachar Houli was consistent across the four quarters with 35 disposals.

Making his senior league debut, Jayden Short looked every bit at ease in the cut and thrust of Friday night football, becoming the 14th Richmond player to goal with his first kick. Short would add a further two majors as a lively spark within forward 50.

Kane Lambert, who kicked the opening goal of the game for the second week in a row, and Ty Vickery were the other Tigers with multiple goals in the contest.

Richmond host Adelaide next Saturday afternoon in the Club’s sole Etihad Stadium home game of the season.

Richmond                            2.2          3.8          7.12        12.14 86
Collingwood                       2.1          3.3            7.7          13.9 87

Goals

Richmond – Short 3, Riewoldt 3, Lambert 2, Vickery 2, Martin, Lloyd,
Collingwood – Fasolo 6, Grundy 2, Moore, De Goey, Langdon, Cloke, Aish