Australian Football

Match Report

A passer-by looking at the faces of many exiting fans at the MCG after last Thursday night's season-opener could have been forgiven for thinking that Carlton had had a victory over the Tigers. The Blues had put up a strong fight and pushed Richmond to the limit, contrary to the expectations of most, while the Tigers, gunning for a fourth-consecutive finals series and expected by some to push for a top-four spot, barely scraped over the line by kicking three of the last four goals.

Nevertheless, when all is said and done, it is the final result that counts and it was Richmond that took the points, getting over the line despite perhaps not playing at its best. History tells us that winning when not at its best is indeed the mark of a good side. As a spectacle, the game was quite a good advertisement for the game, generally free-flowing particularly in the early stages, and in the balance until well into the final quarter.

Carlton dominated the early proceedings, with the ball in its forward half for virtually all of the first five minutes. The Blues net reward for that dominance, however, was a couple of behinds to Matthew Wright and Levi Casboult, the latter missing the first of three very gettable shots. When the run of play turned, Richmond took full advantage, with goals to Kane Lambert and Ty Vickery prior to the 10-minute mark. Carlton hit back with a goal to ex-Swan and Giant Jed Lamb, but Ty Vickery's first saw the Tigers enter time-on leading by 10 points. The Blues settled in the last part of the quarter, though, kicking three of the last four goals to lead 28-25 at quarter time. 

The game tightened considerably in the second term, and it was nearly 14 minutes before a major was scored. That major was kicked by Andrejs Everitt, putting the Blues 11 points clear. Stung into action, the Tigers recovered to dominate general play for the remainder of the first half. Nick Vlastuin goaled at the 17-minute mark and Ty Vickery, whose influence has been limited other than his first-tern goal, kicked two in time-on. Richmond went into half time with a seven-point lead and all the momentum.

Patrick Cripps kicked the first goal after half time for Carlton but majors to Jack Riewoldt and Connor Menadue followed by three behinds saw Richmond skip out to a game-high 15-point lead and it seemed the Blues had run their race. Against all indicators, however, a goal to Matthew Wright at the 12-minute mark reignited Carlton. Goals to the Andrews, Phillips and Walker, followed by another to Wright in the following 10 minutes saw the Blues regain the lead and turn for home nine points ahead.

Casboult had a huge opportunity early in the last quarter to extend Carlton's margin to 15 but he missed an easy shot at the two-minute mark. One can only speculate on the course of the game had he kicked the goal but from that moment the Tigers reassumed the control of general play. Goals to Riewoldt and Sam Lloyd saw Richmond back in front after nine minutes and further majors to Lloyd again and Anthony Miles finally settled the outcome before a late major to Everitt cut the final margin to 10 points. 

Alex Rance, solid in defence with 20 touches, and Kane Lambert (28 touches and a goal) were among Richmond's best, while Patrick Cripps (27 possessions, one goal) and Bryce Gibbs (30 disposals and a goal) stood out for the Blues. 

Both sides could take positives from the result, the Tigers pocketing a win while knowing that there's room for improvement, and the Blues demonstrating an ability to be more than competitive under new coach Brendon Bolton.

Richmond will seek to make it two from two against Collingwood at the MCG on Friday night while Carlton will look to put up another strong showing and perhaps break the ice against Sydney at Docklands on Sunday. 

GOALS
Richmond: Vickery 3; Menadue, Riewoldt, Lloyd 2; Lambert, Edwards, Vlastuin, C. Ellis, Miles
Carlton: Wright 3; Everitt 2; Lamb, Gibbs, Kreuzer, Murphy, Cripps, Phillips, Walker

BEST - AFL.COM.AU
Richmond: Rance, Martin, Vickery, Lambert, Menadue, Lloyd
Carlton: Cripps, Murphy, Wright, Gibbs, Kerridge, Docherty

BEST - THE AGE
Richmond: Lambert, Vickery, Lloyd, Rance, B Ellis, Riewoldt, Martin
Carlton: Murphy, Gibbs, Cripps, Wright, Kerridge, Graham

INJURIES
Richmond: Nil
Carlton: Nil

UMPIRES: Stevic, Fleer, Mitchell

TELEVISION BROADCAST: Seven Network

COMMENTATORS: Bruce McAvaney, Dennis Cometti, Cameron Ling, Wayne Carey, Matthew Richardson