Tigers defeat Pies as Collingwood’s 2023 season comes to an end.
RICHMOND defeated Collingwood by 52 points at Victoria Park to end the Pies’ finals hopes.
Both teams, who have been plagued by major player injuries this season, will miss the finals after qualifying last year, sitting one game out of the top eight following the Tigers’ 11.11 (77) to 4.1 (25) victory at Victoria Park.
Collingwood headed into the game knowing it needed to win by at least three goals – more to build a buffer over Sydney – in order to get back into the finals race after St Kilda’s win over Carlton.
It had only increased its percentage by 1.5 of the required 7.3 points halfway through the game, and the Pies went on to score just one point in the second half.
The Magpies didn’t have it all their own way early on, with the teams even within 50s at the break, but the home side capitalized with two goals deep into their own offensive.
Richmond skipper Katie Brennan’s two rapid set shot conversions not only brought her team back into the game, but also gave them the lead midway through the second.
However, a series of Tiger behinds were swiftly followed by a Nell Morris-Dalton brace, erasing the small lead.
The Tigers dominated the game from start to finish, winning the midfield fight and denying the Pies initial use of the ball.
The Tigers’ midfield was led by Mon Conti, Grace Egan, and Eilish Sheerin, while Brennan and the returning Sarah D’Arcy were a handful in attack, with the Tigers recording 22 scoring shots to five.
Brit Bonnici, Mikala Cann, and Aish Sheridan battled hard for the Magpies in the midfield, but it wasn’t enough as Richmond won by 52 points.
