Four goals for Tim Taranto. Four goals for Lachie Schultz. But in the race for a wildcard spot this September, it was four points for Collingwood at the MCG on Saturday.

Collingwood did what it needed to do at the MCG to stay alive on a dry but chilly winter’s Saturday, recording a 34-point win over Richmond, 15.16 (106) to 11.6 (72), in front of 62,117 people.

Adem Yze demanded a response after a disappointing performance against North Melbourne, and he got one early. The Tigers won contest and clearance comfortably in the first quarter, but scores were level. 

Less than a fortnight after kicking four goals to earn the Round 14 Rising Star nomination, Jasper Alger kicked Richmond’s only two goals of the first quarter.

Collingwood got going quickly in the second quarter via goals from Dan Houston, Pat Lipinski and Schultz in the first five minutes.

Rhyan Mansell ended a run of four straight Collingwood goals when he ran down a 50m through ball from Seth Campbell in the goal square.

Ed Allan followed Taranto around in the first half and restricted the influence of the two-time Jack Dyer Medallist, but the role was shifted, and the Richmond star burst to life, kicking three goals in the third quarter after pushing forward. 

Taranto added a fourth in the final quarter, along with 26 disposals, as Richmond rolled up its sleeves and fought out the contest.

Sam Cumming continued to build on his promising debut season with a career-high 27 disposals, while Patrick Retschko controlled the wing with 26 disposals. 

Mansell returned for just his first game since Round 1 after recovering from a fractured wrist and stress fracture in his foot out of the loss to Carlton and ignited his season with an eye-catching display. The Tasmanian finished with three goals, including a stunner from the boundary, and didn’t stop working until the end, running down Lipinski with a desperate tackle in the dying moments.

Nick Daicos touched the ball only three times in the first quarter – but kicked two goals – yet finished with a game-high 37 disposals to go with three goals, 14 score involvements, nine inside 50s and seven clearances. Jordan De Goey maintained the form he has carried since Anzac Day, this time collecting 27 disposals and 13 score involvements, including three goal assists and a goal of his own.

Schultz put the game to bed in the fourth quarter, slotting three of his four goals late. The Magpies put the gap in the game when they kicked six goals to one in the second quarter and kept the Tigers at arm's length across the second half when the game broke open.

COLLINGWOOD   2.3   8.6   11.10   15.16 (106)
RICHMOND   2.3   3.3   7.6   11.6 (72)

GOALS
Collingwood: Schultz 4, Daicos 3, Membrey 2, Buller 2, Lipinski 2, Houston, De Goey
Richmond: Taranto 4, Mansell 3, Alger 2, Grlj, Balta

BEST
Collingwood:  N. Daicos, J. De Goey, J. Daicos, Schultz, Frampton, Crisp
Richmond: Taranto, Vlaustin, Cumming, Mansell, Retschko

INJURIES:
Collingwood: Nil
Richmond: Nil

Crowd: 62,117 at the MCG