Wayward 'Pies still easily beat Richmond

Collingwood booted a bizarre 13 successive behinds in the final quarter, but still
cruised to a comfortable 28-point AFL practice match win over Richmond at Princes
Park on Friday.
John McCarthy, John Anthony and Anthony Corrie kicked two goals each in the Magpies'
11.24 (90) to 9.8 (62) victory.
The Magpies would have won by much further if they had been able to kick straight -
the match between the two undermanned teams deteriorating into a strange final term
in which Collingwood scored 0.13.
The only goal of the quarter came just before the siren, when Richmond's Relton
Roberts found the big sticks.
McCarthy was outstanding for the Pies, with 20 quality touches to go with his two
goals as Collingwood led at every change and never looked in danger of defeat.
Assistant coach Scott Watters, who coached the side under Mick Malthouse's
pre-season rotation policy, said while the goalkicking accuracy was a concern there
were plenty of positives in the Pies' dominant performance.
"Their endeavour was good for four quarters, they've come away healthy, so it was a
positive day," Watters said.
"At one point it was nine inside-50s to one (in the final quarter) which is a good
thing. Did we convert as well as we'd like to? No.
"But at the start of the year, as much as you put time into goalkicking, goalkicking
under pressure in a match is always one of the last things you need to refine. We'll
work on that during the week."
Forward Mitch Morton booted four goals for the Tigers, who were dire in a
turnover-laden first half.
Richmond improved markedly in the third term, booting four goals to two with
midfielders Shane Tuck and Daniel Jackson working tirelessly.
The match also had fireworks midway through the final quarter with Richmond tagger
Jake King and the much bigger Travis Cloke involved in a physical altercation after
another wayward Pies shot for goal.
Both teams were heavily understrength - Collingwood without virtually their entire
midfield as they rested Scott Pendlebury, Alan Didak and Dane Swan.
Richmond were without Ben Cousins, star onballer Brett Deledio and skipper Chris
Newman.