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AFL stars should be fit for Tigers, 'Pies

After dominating Richmond early at Moe in Victoria, Collingwood held on for a seven-point AFL pre-season win.

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Source: AAP


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Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury and Richmond forward Jack Riewoldt are expected to be ready for the start of the AFL season, despite Saturday's injuries.

Pendlebury was a late withdrawal from the Moe trial with achilles tendon tightness and Riewoldt sent a scare through the Tigers when he limped from the field after a marking contest late in the last term.

But Riewoldt was walking without a limp or an ice pack after the seven-point loss.

And Magpies coach Nathan Buckley similarly said leaving Pendlebury out was a precaution.

Pendlebury's late withdrawal did not unsettle the Magpies, who shot out to a 38-point lead at quarter-time in hot conditions.

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Richmond recovered quickly and roared back in the last term, but Collingwood were more impressive in the 1.15.15 (114) to 0.16.11 (107) win.

This is the last round of pre-season games before round one.

The Magpies and Tigers, who must make strong starts to the season, had been close to full strength.

Apart from Pendlebury, the Magpies were missing fellow front-line midfielders Levi Greenwood and Jordan De Goey because of injury and Buckley was impressed that others filled the breach.

Buckley denied speculation De Goey had a toe problem, saying it was a thigh injury.

Greenwood has hamstring tightness and the coach hopes the pair will join Pendlebury in being ready for their round-one game against the Western Bulldogs.

"The skipper's good ... he assures us it's nothing to worry about," Buckley said.

"It was precautionary as much as anything.

"It's a good challenge - it's going to happen through the season.

"We're more than a one-man show."

Riewoldt was also reported for rough conduct in the second term, but the scornful look on coach Damien Hardwick's face after the match accurately reflected the seriousness of the charge.

Hardwick was also not concerned about Riewoldt's injury.

"He was fine - he was trying to get back on," Hardwick said.

"We're not too worried about him."

Defender Ben Reid, one of Collingwood's most-important players, had his first AFL hitout after last year's knee surgery.

He impressed with 18 marks, although Buckley said Reid would improve.

"Especially late, some of his decisions weren't quite what we were looking for," Buckley said.

"But he got a lot of the ball and it was great for him to get through, so that was really good."

Magpies midfielder Adam Treloar was outstanding and second-year player Tom Phillips continued his strong pre-season.

After a couple of days of media attention over his AFL future, Richmond star Dustin Martin brushed it aside with 26 disposals and three goals.

Rookie-listed forward Mabior Chol impressed to be every chance of being in Richmond's line-up for their round-one game against Carlton.

"We started poorly, obviously - the first quarter is not something we'd look to replicate," Hardwick said.

"But the three quarters after that, it was a pretty even contest.

"It's a good wake-up call."


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