It seems Richmond’s gain and St Kilda’s loss will make the difference in the AFL second semi-final at Metricon Stadium on Friday night.
While key forward Tom Lynch will return for the Tigers the Saints are without star ruckman Paddy Ryder.
He produced a best player afield performance against the Western Bulldogs before the game ended tragically for him when he tore a hamstring muscle in the closing minutes.
Interestingly, though, Richmond’s loss to Brisbane underlined a problem the defending premiers have.
That is – especially since the injury to ruckman Ivan Soldo – the absence in the side of “talls”, who can take a strong mark.
Toby Nankervis, who is now serving as the No.1 ruckman, tries hard but he lacks skills which tends to detract from his value.
Obviously having Lynch again alongside Jack Riewoldt in attack will help to ease this situation and, of course, not having to contend with Ryder will further assist Richmond’s cause.
Fortunately for the Saints they will be able to overcome having Ryder on the sidelines, to a degree, with Rowan Marshall.
At 202cm and 106kg Marshall, who has filled-in as a ruckman on a number of occasions, is a sizeable unit.
He also has ability and can take a strong mark around the ground or when being used as a forward.
Full forward Max King, who is an emerging star, is also capable of taking a “big grab” as is Tim Membrey so St Kilda is well-catered for in front of goal.
A highlight is going to be the clash of midfielders with Dustin Martin, Trent Cotchin, Dion Prestia and company be pitted against Dan Hannebery, Zak Jones and their support group.
After a brilliant start Martin seemed to lose his resolve and faded against the Lions so the Tigers will be looking to a four-quarter effort from him but fortunately for the Saints, after a long list of injuries, Hannebery is back in form.
He and Jones should, at least, be sufficiently effective to provide St Kilda’s chance to kick a winning score.
However, despite the skill of Saints coach Brett Ratten his players still don’t have the know-how to close-out a victory as their last quarter fade-out against the Western Bulldogs demonstrated.
If there is a team that knows all about clinching a match it is Collingwood.
After seemingly being “done and dusted” against West Coast the Magpies winning spirit enable them to register a thoroughly deserved one-point triumph.
The pathway to success was set-up initially when Mason Cox kicked three early goals.
After that just about every Magpie played a contributing part in snatching the game away from the Eagles with two last quarter majors by Brody Mihocek.
Despite suffering a head knock Mihocek played an invaluable role along with prolific kick-winner Adam Treloar, Scott Pendlebury, Chris Mayne, Jack Crisp, Taylor Adams and others.
Importantly for Collingwood leading up to the second semi-final confrontation with Geelong at The Gabba on Saturday night Darcy Cameron showed he can support Brody Grundy in the ruck.
The Cats have a very capable ruckman in Rhys Stanley and his acute palming of the ball opened the way for scoring opportunities against Port Adelaide, which were grasped on numerous times by Patrick Dangerfield.
One of the “greats” Dangerfield was superb against Power and his 80m run to goal will be long remembered.
Against that the biggest worry for Geelong is the forward line where, as previously mentioned, Tom Hawkins cannot be relied upon and despite flashing into the fray at times Gary Rohan just does not do enough.
Richmond by 6pts
Collingwood by 11pts