After 4 short months, it was finally time for the Collingwood Wheelchair team to kick start their 2022 season against the Richmond Tigers.
Development Team
The day started off with the Collingwood Development team matching up with the Richmond Tiger’s development team. Debutant Matthew Blunt had an incredible start in the ruck winning taps to experienced forward Andrew Paddle, who was able to get on the score sheet late in the first half. The Pies favourite hype man Jason Heagerty was in an under every contest making life very difficult for his defenders applying pressure every time they received the ball. Key defender Alex Gale-Grime managed to slow the opposition from scoring heavily in the second half as well as Debutant Iain Paech providing great movement around the court. Unfortunately, the Development side where unable to get the win against a very experienced Richmond side, however there are plenty of positives to take away from the development teams first game of 2022.
Final score
Richmond Tigers 6.4.40 to Collingwood 1.2.8
Senior Team
The Collingwood Senior Wheelchair Team were up against a very fierce and intense Richmond side to start their 2022 Campaign. Winning the ball from the centre proved to be very difficult due to Richmond’s tall ruck and great ball use coming out of the middle. Collingwood Captain Ben Jankovski managed to get on the scoresheet early with a nice goal set up from Veteran player Brett Newman. Senior Debutant Troy Hawkins impressed early with his slick ball skills and quick take-offs. Collingwood trailed by 4 goals at half time and the game was well and truly within reach. However, after losing Newman and Key defender Arnold Razon due to injury, the goals for Richmond began to pile on in the second half with the pies going down by 60 points. A lot of positives to take out of the first game for the wheelchair seniors such as Jankovski finishing off with 5 goals on the day.
Final score
Richmond 15.10 – 100 to Collingwood 6.4 – 40.
