Richmond rounded out its official pre-season preparations with a close 11.14 (80) to 11.8 (74) win over Collingwood at Marvel Stadium on Friday night.

Standout second halves from Magpies key pair Mason Cox and Darcy Cameron, who both booted three goals after the main change, saw Collingwood claw back to within five points with 23 seconds to play, but the Tigers held on to claim the six-point victory.

The Tigers had full control of the game after a dominant if wasteful first half before Cox burst to life in the third term, booting two goals for the quarter and then a third early in the last term to drag the Magpies back into the game. Cameron then provided a target with all of his majors coming in the last quarter.  

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick warned that superstar Dustin Martin had enjoyed an "incredible" pre-season and he delivered with a strong performance, gathering 23 disposals and four clearances before being subbed out at three-quarter time, while small forward Jason Castagna was excellent with four goals for the Tigers.

It was business as usual for the Tigers. They set up the game early, defended well and controlled proceedings apart from the third term, when Cox begun to present an option in attack. Reigning best and fairest Jayden Short was dynamic, amassing 43 disposals and an enormous 958 metres gained, while Josh Caddy was busy on the wing with 27 touches and a goal. 

New faces

Callum Coleman-Jones, who switched between the ruck and centre-half forward, has plenty of fans at Punt Road and will be given opportunities this season after his suspension from last year's COVID-19 breach ends early in the season. His run, jump and goal late was a flash of his ability. Riley Collier-Dawkins featured for the Tigers in the second half after an impressive pre-season and picked up eight touches in his first outing for the Tigers, impressing with his work at stoppages and catching the eye with a final-quarter blind turn. Tigers midfielder Will Martyn snuck on late for a taste of things.

Round one chance

How the Tigers manage their ruck assistance for Toby Nankervis will be fascinating early in the season. On Friday night Coleman-Jones and Mabior Chol split the duties, while Noah Balta also pinch-hit in the role. It is one of the few questions the Tigers have to work out ahead of the start of the season. Derek Eggmolesse-Smith, who is tipped to win a second chance on the Tigers' list via the pre-season signing period, played the final term and had eight touches. 

Medical room

Richmond appeared to get through unscathed and is healthy heading into another tilt, with only Bachar Houli (calf) considered unlikely for round one. Dion Prestia (hamstring) didn't face the Magpies but is expected to be available for the season-opener against Carlton, while Tom Lynch (toe) also missed with a very minor complaint but will be fine for the Blues clash.

Fantasy watch

Collingwood gave up the most points to defenders last season and that happened again against the Tigers with Jayden Short (DEF, $694,000) racking up a mammoth 171 points.

COLLINGWOOD            2.3     3.5     6.7     11.8     (74)
RICHMOND                    4.3    6.8     8.9     11.14 (80)  

GOALS
Collingwood: Cox 3, Cameron 3, De Goey 2, Daicos, Elliott, Ruscoe
Richmond: Castagna 4, Riewoldt 2, Caddy, Coleman-Jones, Edwards, McIntosh, Rioli 

BEST 
Collingwood: De Goey, Cox, Maynard, Crisp, Howe, Pendlebury
Richmond: Short, Caddy, Martin, Baker, Edwards, Riewoldt 

INJURIES 
Collingwood: Kelly (shoulder), Sidebottom (calf)
Richmond: Nil 

Reports: Nil