Purring Tigers Could Soon Roar | Thebigtip

Tigerland should be happy with the glimpses of real competitive football against the reigning premiers last Friday night. As easy as it was for the Pies in the end, Richmond showed they are beginning to improve on and off the ball. Their style of game and strategy against the league leaders was very constructive and efficient, unfortunately just not up with the Collingwood crew. Contested possessions and the workrate of the Collingwood players was at times far superior and more noticeable by the number of Magpies running free after the Tigers turned over the ball.

The Magpies do tend to take their foot off the pedal at times and being a long season and having a game generally under control, it can be seen as warranted. Unfortunately, should a team continue the fight, no matter where they are positioned on the ladder, an opportunity to come back into the game may well present itself. This may put the sleeping Woodsmen in a position they may not be able to overcome.

We see in many NBA games where teams like the Lakers, Boston or Miami will switch their best players for less experienced ones, resting their Kobe's, Garnett's or Le Bron's. If the other team looks like they are coming back into the game, the subs are quickly made and the status quo is reinstated - most of the time.

The Richmond players and coach Damien Hardwick deserve a great deal of credit after Friday night as they tried to take the game up to Collingwood with their own style of play. Kickouts through the centre of the ground to break up the Collingwood zone as well as a more direct game to their obvious spearhead in Riewoldt. This seemed to come together in the third quarter where they pegged back a half time deficit of 50 points to 26 by three quarter time.

Unfortunately for the Tigers, Collingwood changed gears, kicking 9 goals to 2 in the last quarter and making it a 71 point win in the end. This shows the might of Collingwood once they are challenged, but would it be the same with a more seasoned and competitive side like Geelong or Hawthorn? Seeing their chances of a victory slipping away can only spur them to go on and make a real challenge to win the game.

It is not that Richmond weren't out there to win, but I feel the lack of experience and conversion of opportunities seemed to be against them. Having said that, their rookies and young blood showed all the signs of great things to come. Dustin Martin is going from strength to strength and Angus Graham is improving with each game along with Miller in supporting Riewoldt.

Collingwood went about their business as usual. Swan seemed to be in cruise mode most of the game, amassing yet another 30+ possessions along with 4 goals. Scott Pendlebury, Dale Thomas and Travis Cloke worked well the whole game and Alan Didak looked to be back to his usual self. In a game where the less experienced players could gain a little more confidence, Dayne Beams, Steele Sidebottom, Cameron Wood and Jarryd Blair showed up.

Unfortunately, Andrew Krakouer looked like he was struggling with fitness or an injury. He couldn't really get into the game and missed easy opportunities.

Their backline, as good as it is, was shown how it could improve when a team is being direct and attacking into their 50 metre zone. Harry O'Brien did a number of good things, but I feel he has been down in form during the start of this year. Tarrant did well but I think needs to hold his feet a little better, especially in the backline where it is so important to have an advantage. Nick Maxwell also seems to be still recovering from his injury.

Collingwood now have a number of games that look to be a challenge with the big Anzac Day game against Essendon, then the Western Bulldogs and what looks to be another big showdown with the shuffled Cats. This will give the rest of the clubs and he Collingwood army a good idea where the premiers are truly positioned at this time of the year.

Richmond, having now played Collingwood, will see how they have improve and where they can continue to get better with confidence. Over the next four weeks the Tigers will play North Melbourne, Brisbane, Fremantle and the Bulldogs. I feel they have a great chance of really mixing it up with the rest of the clubs.