Richmond VFL has lost its second game in a row after falling to Collingwood at the Swinburne Centre on Sunday morning, 9.10 (64) to 7.11 (53).
Despite their late surge, the inaccurate Tigers suffered an 11-point loss.
With Richmond trailing for the entirety of the contest, Collingwood emerged victorious for the first time in three months.
Led by strong performances in the middle of the ground from Tyler Sonsie (26 disposals, 10 clearances) and Jagga Smith (27 disposals, three clearances), the Tigers recorded seven more inside-50s than their opponents. However, they couldn’t capitalise on their chances.
In the opening term, six goals were shared between both sides.
The fast-starting Magpies got out to a 20-point lead before Richmond could register a score.
However, the Tigers responded strongly to work themselves back into the contest with three consecutive goals from Noah Cumberland (11 disposals, two goals), Kane McAuliffe (20 disposals, seven tackles, one goal) and Jacob Bauer, to trail by just two points at quarter time.
A positive for the Tigers was the performance of versatile tall Tom Brindley.
He performed strongly in the ruck in the absence of Oliver Hayes-Brown to finish with 17 disposals, four marks, 38 hit-outs and five clearances.
Scoring in the second quarter was bookended by Collingwood majors as the Tigers were held goalless.
Richmond’s first score of the quarter, a behind, came at the 25-minute mark. Just one more behind followed, as they trailed Collingwood by 16 points at the main break.
The Tigers’ goalkicking woes in the third term saw them convert five consecutive behinds and fail to capitalise on their dominance, kicking 1.5 in total for the quarter.
After a 26-minute period of no goals, Collingwood took advantage of Richmond’s inaccuracy to convert the first goal of the second half and establish a game-high 17-point lead.
Richmond’s instant response came through Harrison White (seven disposals, two tackles and one goal) and saw the three-quarter-time margin sit at 11 points.
Collingwood’s final term got off to a flyer after they kicked the first goal to extend their lead out back out to a game-high 17 points.
Richmond surged to kick the next three goals of the game through Cumberland’s second of the morning, Sam Davidson (13 disposals, one goal), and Mohammad Yassine, to draw level with their opponents.
Defensively, Jacob Blight (23 disposals, four marks) and Mutaz El Nour (16 disposals, four marks and three tackles) were impressive for the Tigers, however, despite drawing level, Collingwood finishing strongly to kick the final two goals of the game and emerge winner.
As a result, Richmond have dropped to ninth on the VFL ladder.
The Tigers will now enter its third bye-round of the season with a nine-and-seven record.
Post-bye, their next challenge will be against Sandringham on Sunday, August 11 at the Swinburne Centre.
Collingwood: 3.3 5.7 6.7 9.10 (64)
Richmond: 3.1 3.3 4.8 7.11 (53)
Goalkickers: Cumberland (2), Bauer, Yassine, Davidson, White, McAuliffe
Best: Brindley, Wilson, McAuliffe, Blight, Sonsie, Smith, El Nour
