COLLINGWOOD coach Nathan Buckley expects a better defensive performance from his team against Richmond at the MCG on Saturday night following its defeat against Hawthorn last weekend when it conceded 37 scoring shots.
The Hawks won 20.17 (137) to 16.19 (115).
"We definitely hope we don't give up 37 scoring shots [this week]," Buckley said. "We wouldn't mind having 35 ourselves again, although that's probably not the style of game we're looking for.
"Early in the season it's what you see more often or not; in the last quarter there's a drop-off in defensive intent. That's a massive focus for us."
Collingwood looked on the verge of victory against Hawthorn until the Magpies' defence yielded and the Hawks kicked five of the last six goals to win by 22 points.
Buckley, who made his long-awaited debut as Collingwood coach last week, said several teams "gassed it" in the last quarter in round one, easing off on defensive pressure because of fatigue.
"When you're winning the ball and using it well, it makes it hard for the opposition. It's hard yards to defend for long periods of time.
"That's basically what happened in the last quarter last week. Hawthorn controlled the ball very well. Their structures held up, ours fell away a bit. That was the difference.
"We'll have to find an extra 15 or 20 minutes in us this week."
Collingwood's defence for the Tigers match has been strengthened by the return of full-back Chris Tarrant from a footy injury.
Buckley said Tarrant's return was important given that Richmond's trio of tall forwards - Jack Riewoldt, Tyrone Vickery and Brad Miller - were as dangerous as any forward combination in the competition during the NAB Cup.
Riewoldt last week kicked four goals despite having a quiet game during Richmond's 44-point loss to Carlton. Miller and Vickery were disappointing, with Vickery taking only one mark and collecting just three disposals.
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said it was Vickery's poorest performance during his three years as coach.
Collingwood midfielder Dayne Beams is returning after overcoming a shin complaint. He's spent the past couple of games in Collingwood's VFL team getting match practice.
Magpies captain Nick Maxwell, however, will sit on the sidelines for another week after failing to come up from his ankle injury.
"Having 'Tazz' through our defensive rotations is important," Buckley said. "It adds a bit of experience and steel.
"Beamsy's been coming back gradually. His form in the past couple of weeks has been excellent."
Buckley was happy with full-forward Chris Dawes' form as the second ruckman against Hawthorn. Dawes occasionally relieved the Magpies' Darren Jolly against the Hawks.
Away from the Magpies, Buckley said he's been in touch with Melbourne coach Mark Neeld since Melbourne's travails played out in the media this week.
Buckley and Neeld were assistant coaches together at Collingwood under Mick Malthouses's reign.
"If you could put an arm around someone through a phone, that's about what I did," Buckley said.
"He (Neeld) has been up against the ropes, but I think he's handled it very well, very professionally, and so has the Melbourne footy club."
Chris Tarrant is a $184,300 defender in Toyota AFL Dream Team. Register your team here.
