Richmond’s Jack Higgins has made a successful return from brain surgery in a 40-point defeat to Collingwood in Wangaratta.

The livewire forward was ruled out from round 18 last season after a shock brain bleed diagnosis that required surgery put his AFL career in jeopardy.

Higgins, who chose not to wear a helmet, had a modest six possessions but played out the match without incident and bravely put his body on the line on a few occasions.

Adam Treloar starred with 34 possessions for the Magpies in Sunday’s 13.6 (84) to 6.8 (44) win, with both sides missing some serious star power having contributed key players to Friday night’s bushfire relief game.

But the star midfielder suffered a late blow when he left the field in the final term having clutched at his left hamstring after diving for a mark.

On a brighter note, Collingwood’s Jordan De Goey (hamstring) and Mason Cox (eye) made solid returns from injuries that soured the end of their 2019 campaigns.

De Goey was quiet early but finished with three goals.

Ben Reid finished the game icing a leg on the bench, but the oft-injured Magpies veteran isn’t believed to have suffered a setback.

For the Tigers, Liam Baker had 30 touches, Jayden Short gathered 25 disposals and kicked a goal and Nathan Broad had 21 possessions across half-back.

Collingwood impressed early and led by 25 points at halftime before Richmond enjoyed a bright patch after the main break to make it a 10-point match at three-quarter time.

But De Goey kicked two goals as the Pies cruised to the win with the last five majors of the match.

Dylan Grimes skippered the Tigers in the absence of Trent Cotchin, who missed the match with fellow bushfire relief game players Dustin Martin, Jack Riewoldt, Tom Lynch, Shane Edwards and Bachar Houli.

Scott Pendlebury, Brodie Grundy, Jeremy Howe and Darcy Moore represented the Pies in the bushfire clash, while Jaidyn Stephenson withdrew late for family reasons.