1. House full sign
An hour before the game came the news that would have made the Richmond beancounters smile. All public seating for the Tigers home game was sold out and the only tickets were remaining were standing room only. It confirmed once and for all that the Richmond bandwagon is full to overflowing and that the expectations for the biggest Tigers-Pies clash in 30 years were massive. All up, the crowd was 81,950, excellent for a Saturday afternoon given the myriad of competing events.
2. Man management
Collingwood always faces tricky personnel challenges ahead of Anzac Day. This year, the Pies face a five-day turnaround between the Richmond and Essendon games and it was reflected at match committee. Ben Johnson was left out of the side and Tyson Goldsack a late withdrawal after it was felt they wouldn’t be able to come up on Anzac Day against the Bombers. Similarly, Dale Thomas was named as the sub by the Magpies on Saturday, again with a view to ensuring he is fully fit for Thursday.
3. Second generation blues
David Cloke is a revered figure at Richmond, a 176-game player and a member of two premiership teams. But by virtue of his 114 games for Collingwood, his three sons could play at either club under the father-son rule. Jason, Cameron and Travis all chose the Magpies and on Saturday, it was Travis who really haunted his old man's first club with a brilliant display. His four-goal third term turned the game on its head and after trailing by three points at half-time, the Pies went into the final change with a handy six-goal lead. He finished with a career-best seven goals.
4. Hex?
Tiger coach Damian Hardwick still hasn’t cracked it for a win against Collingwood. His first three encounters resulted in losses of 82, 71 and 21 points, but this was a step backwards, with the final margin 34 points in Collingwood's favour.
5. Stats that maybe matter
The Pies were ferocious on Saturday, laying 45 tackles to 31. They also took 127 marks to 70. It was the short kickers versus the long kickers, with 234 to the Pies and 187 to the Tigers. On this day, the points went to the high-possession Pies.
