Collingwood's final tune-up ahead of the 2025 season saw the Magpies put forward a dominant display against Richmond, with midfield ace Nick Daicos leading the charge in an 83-point romping of a young Tigers unit.
The Magpies piled on 21 goals in Wednesday night's Charity Shield match with new recruits, key forwards and household names steering the ship.
Daicos' evening was over midway through the third term, with the 2024 Copeland Trophy winner finishing with 32 disposals, eight tackles, six clearances and four goal assists - including the first two of the game.
The mercurial Magpie looks certain to contend for a Brownlow Medal in 2025, having played a level above his opposition from the opening bounce.
Midfielder Patrick Lipinski found time and space at Princes Park in his inside-outside role, taking 14 marks for a return of a game-high 37 disposals.
Veteran pair Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom remain integral parts of Craig McRae's engine room ensemble, which has welcomed the additions of Dan Houston and Harry Perryman.
Both Collingwood recruits were in the goalkickers' list by the main break, with Houston slotting a trademark shot on the run from outside 50 in the first term.
Perryman also converted from range after getting on the end of a Daicos handball that resulted from the Magpies star's eye-catching burst through the middle of the field.
Ex-Saint Tim Membrey also impressed in his first official outing in black and white, booting four goals from 11 touches.
The veteran sharpshooter formed a new-look attacking mix in McRae's front third, joining premiership forward Brody Mihocek and Dan McStay, who didn't combine last year due to injury.
All three tall forwards combined for 10 goals against the Tigers, led by Membrey and Mihocek's four majors each, while small forward Bobby Hill contributed a quartet of his own.
Richmond's defence struggled to slow down the Magpies onslaught, conceding 12 straight goals across the second and third terms.
Key defender Jacob Blight looks likely to hold his place in Richmond's Round 1 side with a strong outing despite the heavy loss, while athletic forward Jacob Bauer did his selection chances no harm as the Tigers' only multiple goalkicker.
Blight suffered a shoulder concern in the final term but was able to see out the contest.
Premiership Tiger Jayden Short looks set for a larger role this season in the absence of reigning Jack Dyer medallist Daniel Rioli, with the rebounding backman amassing 25 disposals for a return of 749 metres gained - 677 of which came in the first half.
Draftees Harry Armstrong, Thomas Sims and Luke Trainor featured in Adem Yze's side as they push their case for Round 1 debuts, while eight-gamer James Trezise impressed in a wing role under limited game time.
The Tigers have over a fortnight until their season opener against Carlton at the MCG, while Collingwood's turnaround will see them play next Sunday against GWS for Opening Round.
