Richmond fell to its first defeat of the 2019 season on Thursday night, going down to Collingwood by 44 points at the MCG.
The Pies owned the ball, racking up over 100 more disposals than their opponents, but couldn't get a match-winning lead until midway through the final term.
Three late second-half goals to the Tigers, including one from Shane Edwards from the pocket after the half-time siren, dragged Richmond back within six points at the main break.
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Collingwood's plan was clear: chip, work and manoeuvre the ball around until ready to break. Buckley's men set the record for the most marks in a first half (99 in total) and were deliberate when moving forward.
Richmond's pressure rose in the third term to reduce those numbers, but steadying goals to De Goey and captain Scott Pendlebury allowed them to hold an 18-point lead at the final change.
If the Tigers were to get that margin back they had to strike early, but it was a clever snap out of a pack from Mason Cox that sailed through for a goal eight minutes into the final term that all but sealed the Pies' win.
High-profile recruit Tom Lynch was among the Tigers' best, working hard and booting three goals for his efforts, but there were few other winners in an unusually panicked and disorganised display.
Jordan De Goey was the standout for Collingwood, booting five goals. Dayne Beams gathered 36 disposals, while Adam Treloar was influential in the midfield with 37 touches.
Richmond will travel to face GWS at Sydney Showgrounds Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
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MEDICAL ROOM
Star goalkicker Jack Riewoldt hurt his wrist when he crashed to the ground after a marking contest early in the game. He played on but appeared in discomfort at stages.
RICHMOND 2.2 6.3 9.4 10.6 (66)
COLLINGWOOD 3.2 7.3 12.4 17.8 (110)
GOALS
Richmond: Lynch 3, Short 2, Higgins 2, Edwards 2, Rioli
Collingwood: De Goey 5, Cox 2, Mihocek 2, Stephenson 2, Thomas, Treloar, Phillips, Mayne, Pendlebury, Elliott
BEST
Richmond: Lynch, Edwards, Cotchin, Short, Martin
Collingwood: De Goey, Beams, Crisp, Treloar, Howe, Mayne, Pendlebury
INJURIES
Richmond: Riewoldt (wrist)
Collingwood: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Chamberlain, Foot, Gianfagna
Official crowd: 70,699 at the MCG