Tigers crash out in NAB Cup opener
AFL premiers Collingwood started their 2011 campaign with a regulation 43-point win over Richmond in a NAB Cup mini game.
After starting strongly in their opening match on Saturday night against Carlton, the Tigers tailed off badly and were no match for the Magpies, who won 7.8 (50) to 1.1 (7).
The Tigers are out of the NAB Cup after losing to Carlton 6.5 (41) to 3.5 (23) and Collingwood will carry a healthy percentage into the final game of the night against Carlton.
The best team from each of the six opening round robin fixtures goes into the quarter-finals, plus the next two best-performed teams.
Richmond only managed one behind in the second half of their game against Carlton and also one behind in the first half against Collingwood.
While the Tigers were missing many of their best players, including captain Chris Newman, Coleman Medallist Jack Riewold, Dustin Martin and Trent Cotchin, they were exposed badly for depth.
By contrast, the Magpies had the bulk of their premiership side in action and immediately clicked into gear.
While the Tigers held Collingwood early, the Magpies kicked three goals late in the opening half, two of them to Chris Dawes.
He finished with three for the game, while pint-sized midfielder Jarryd Blair was best afield in the match with nine disposals.
The umpires used the new video review system to check Dawes' second goal was not touched off the boot
Richmond did not kick a goal from 15 minutes into the first half of the Carlton game until 12 minutes into the second half against Collingwood, when ex-Melbourne player Brad Miller put through their only major score of the game.
Two bright spots for Richmond against the Magpies were ruckman Tom Derickx and defender Jake Batchelor, who joined the Tigers through last year's national draft.
The Tigers were impressive in the first half against the Blues, kicking three goals to one for a 15-point lead at the break.
But Carlton ruckman Rob Warnock was outstanding as the Blues ramped up the pressure and Richmond made too many turnovers, which also cost them against Collingwood.
Nathan Buckley, who will take over from Mick Malthouse as senior coach next year, was in charge of the team for Saturday night's games.
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