In their first official practice match of the pre-season, the VFL Tigers fell to the Magpies by 77 points, 7.6 (48) to 20.5 (125) on Thursday morning at the Swinburne Centre.

Despite trailing by a manageable 14-point margin at half time, the VFL Tigers were overrun in the third term by an explosive Collingwood outfit who booted eight unanswered goals to led by 60 points at three-quarter-time.

AFL-listed Tigers Liam Fawcett and Kane McAuliffe were strong on the day.

VFL-listed youngster Massimo Raso was impressive in his first outing at VFL level, while vice-captain Mutaz El Nour also starred.

Thomas Sims, selected pick no. 28 in the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft, showed promising signs in the ruck, and Kaleb Smith provided run-and-carry off half-back.

VFL coach Jake Batchelor said, “we’re not going to be a team that is dictated by the scoreboard.”

“You’re not going to win every game…we get really strong on our process, what we want to improve each week, what we’re doing really well and do everything we can to take away the anxiety of the scoreboard, because we’re here to develop,” he said.

“Wins are great, but we’re here to develop as individuals and as a team, so today was a great first hit-out for a lot of our young players.”

Richmond’s 2024 mid-season draftee Campbell Gray was impressive in his defensive role on Thursday morning.

Batchelor said the 21-year-old “showed some really good signs today.”

“I think after how he went today it might be a good sign that he might be going there in the future,” Batchelor said.

“He’s shown some really good gains in a forward role this pre-season, but you can tell he’s got some really good defensive traits and reads the flight really well, is great in the air, a really nice kick and is athletic.”

Richmond VFL look ahead to their next practice match against Coburg, next Saturday at the Swinburne centre from 2:00pm

Richmond 3.0 5.1 5.4 7.6 (48)

Collingwood 4.1 7.3 15.4 20.5 (125)

Goals: George, Raso, McCarthy, Fawcett, Collier, Alger, Sims