Breaking wall key for Pies

COLLINGWOOD will attempt to punch holes through Richmond’s famed premiership defensive wall in Saturday’s MCG blockbuster.

More than 81,000 fans are expected to watch the biggest Richmond-Collingwood tussle since the 1980 Grand Final, although the Melbourne Cricket Club will today meet to reassess the crowd figure.

The biggest home-andaway crowd between the two clubs was 92,436 in Round 4, 1977 when Richmond immortal Tom Hafey coached against his old club for the first time.

Third-placed Collingwood can stamp its premiership credentials with an upset win over the rampaging $2.50 flag favourites after annihilating North Melbourne on Saturday.

But Collingwood will have to overcome superstar defender Alex Rance only a fortnight after West Coast intercept machine Jeremy McGovern exploited inexperienced forward Brody Mihocek at the same venue.

McGovern worked off his man to blunt Collingwood’s forward forays, but Magpie Mihocek bounced back strongly against the Roos, slotting four goals on Saturday.

Goalkicking midfielder Jordan De Goey is also in careerbest form, with All-Australia candidate Dylan Grimes likely to get the job on him.

Collingwood will this week work on its connection inside 50m to help bypass Richmond’s brilliant defensive intercept marking.

Remarkably, the Tigers rank 18th for clearance differential (-4.5 a game) according to Champion Data, but instead rely on their counter attack from halfback.

Richmond topped the Pies with a fourth-quarter burst by 43 points in Round 6.

Collingwood defender Darcy Moore remains in doubt with a hamstring problem.