It was a very hot Easter Saturday morning at Punt Road oval for the final VFL practice match against Richmond.

After a tightly fought three quarters, unfortunately for the Pies, Richmond were able to run away with the win.

Here’s a quick summary of the match.

Quarter 1

The Pies were on top early, however couldn’t make the most of their chances, kicking 6 behinds before VFL listed player Callum Wellings slot a set shot.

Ollie Henry’s athleticism was on show particularly early, taking a fantastic pack mark. Henry finished the day with a frustrating 1 goal and 2 behinds.

The 2020 draft cohort was out on show, with all 8 draftees playing together for the first time. A Collingwood debut for draftee Reef McInnes, the midfield combination of himself, Finlay Macrae and Caleb Poulter an insight into what the future might hold for Pies fans.

QT score: Tigers 8 - Pies 13

Quarter 2

The pressure around the footy increased significantly with the start of the second quarter. Richmond hit the scoreboard early, getting out to a 9 point lead.

Max Lynch and Darcy Cameron shared the rucking duties for the day, and it was Lynch who got the Pies back within a goal when he kicked truely after a strong mark overhead.

The ruck combination battled valiantly all day. The strategy worked effectively with both Lynch and Cameron being equally as dangerous up forward as they were around the ground.

A dominant display through the middle of the ground allowed players such as Trey Ruscoe to find the ball up forward. Goals to Lynch, Cameron, Henry and Ruscoe led the Pies to a 14-point lead at half time.

HT score: Tigers 24 - Pies 38

Quarter 3

The Pies got the perfect start to the second half when Beau Mccreery snapped a goal, which was nicely assisted by Cameron. Despite not having the greatest impact on the game on Saturday, it’s the intangibles that make Beau so valuable to the Pies. His speed and ability to apply pressure is at an elite level.

The Tigers hit back strongly after that, kicking 2 goals in a row to bring the score back to just an 8 point deficit.

Will Kelly found a sneaky goal out the back on his return back from his collar bone injury. The dynamic forward found it a bit difficult to get in the game, but played his role alongside what shaped up to be a well balanced forward line. 

Richmond got a goal back after the 3 quarter time siren to take momentum into the final term.

3QT score: Tigers 52 - Pies 59

Quarter 4

An electric start to the quarter from the Tigers put the home side in a great position to win the game. 3 goals without response made it tough for the Pies, but a classy set shot from Darcy Cameron kept the Tigers’ lead to just 3 points, 12 minutes into the final quarter.

Unfortunately, a young Collingwood side started to feel the effects of the heat and intensity of the game. Another 4 goals to finish the game from Richmond came as a result of the Pies just not being able to run out the game.

FT score: Tigers 14.12.96 Pies 9.14.68

Goals: Cameron 2, Ruscoe 2, Wellings, Lynch, Henry, Mccreery, Kelly
Best: Cameron, Macrae, Greenwood, Poulter, Wilson, Lynch