RICHMOND, with key forwards Matthew Richardson and Jay Schulz looking dangerous, grabbed a 22-point lead over Collingwood at half-time in their Rivalry Round clash at the MCG on Friday night.

The Magpies trailed 4.6 (30) to 7.10 (52).

Collingwood, with acting skipper James Clement a late withdrawal, struggled to contain Richmond in the first quarter.

The second term was more of an arm-wrestle, with both teams scoring two goals. First-gamer Brad Dick and Leon Davis, with a magical goal from the boundary line, kicked the Magpies' majors.

Collingwood scored the first goal of the match through Scott Pendlebury, but Richmond slammed on the next five to establish a handy lead by mid-quarter.

Another of Collingwood's three debutants, Alan Toovey, kicked his first goal in senior AFL football to peg one back for the Magpies, who went to the first break trailing by 20 points.

Collingwood suffered a blow before the game with the withdrawal of acting captain Clement with a calf injury. It meant a late reprieve for key Magpie backman Shane Wakelin, who originally had been omitted.