Against AFL premiers Collingwood, resistance is futile.

Even after the competition's yardstick was briefly made to look a snappable twig, the Magpies still ran out 71-point winners over Richmond at the MCG on Friday night to remain unbeaten in their opening four matches.

Onballer Dane Swan booted four goals and Steele Sidebottom and Travis Cloke three apiece.

The premiers monstered the Tigers in the first half and looked set to run out comfortable winners with minimal effort.

Collingwood led by 40 points at quarter-time, 50 at halftime, their best players led by Swan were terrorising Richmond, and the Magpies dominated the stoppages.

But the Tigers traded their peashooters for stun guns in the third quarter - Brett Deledio dragging them back into the match with a magnificent term.

The midfielder gathered 12 touches and booted a huge goal to help his side back to within 26 points by the final change.

A support cast of Reece Conca, Trent Cotchin and Dustin Martin gave the Tigers a glimpse of a bright future.

They launched into the Magpies with telling touches and made the best in the competition look beatable.

Champions respond. And so Collingwood did in the final quarter, booting nine goals to two.

As had happened in the first half, the exceptional was made to look easy.

Swan finished with 33 disposals as he, Sidebottom, Dale Thomas and key forward Cloke lifted again, and the Magpies were off and gone.

Collingwood extended the lead beyond their previous best and were up by as much as 77 points.

Only a Jack Riewoldt goal after the siren - his fourth from just five kicks - reined the Tigers' deficit inside 12 goals.

The Magpies finished with 14 individual goalkickers.

Deledio finished with 33 touches and was easily Richmond's best as the Tigers still search for their first win of the season.

Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse, who appeared to be fuming before addressing his charges at the final change, admitted he was disappointed with his side's third quarter.

"They responded with a bit of pride," Malthouse said.

"I think it was a good education for a few of our players ... our tackle count lifted, which it needed to.

"Our clearance rate lifted, which it needed to.

"Our ability to put a bit more pressure lifted and those are things you need to do as a good side."

Richmond counterpart Damien Hardwick was pleased with many aspects of his side's performance.

But he again lamented a slow start and silly free-kicks which gifted early goals to the Pies.

"We walk away (having) played the reigning premiers, learned a little bit about ourselves but also learned the level we have to play at for four quarters to be a good side," he said.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP