Richmond have held on in a last quarter thriller to beat Carlton by just 5 points at the MCG on Thursday night.
The Tigers led by as much as 42 points during the 3rd quarter but the Blues wouldn’t go away, dragging it back to get within a kick in the final moments.
The Blues jumped out of the blocks early and it looks at though Carlton would continue their dominance of the Tigers in recent times booting the first three goals of the game.
It would be almost the 20 minute mark before the Tigers had their first through Brett Deledio before big man Tyrone Vickery evened the scores going into the first change.
Hardwick’s men then dominated the second term slamming on seven of the next eight goals to open up a handy 35 point lead at half time.
The teams traded goals early in the third quarter but when Deledio slotted his third goal the margin was out to 42 points. However, the Blues wouldn’t lie down and former captain Chris Judd stood up kicking two goals in a row cutting the margin back to six straight goals at three quarter time, setting up an exciting final quarter.
Blues star Bryce Gibbs, who limped off the ground in the early in the match, lifted in the final term and he kicked the first goal of the quarter as his side crept closer. The Tigers looked nervous as the Carlton took advantage of some sloppy play and when Matthew Kreuzer marked just outside the goals square and put it through the difference was back to just 19 points.
Carlton continued to push forward and Jeff Garlett bobbed up to kick two goals as the Blues looked like they would pull off a miraculous comeback. Fellow small forward Chris Yarran had an opportunity to put his side in front and steal a win but he couldn’t kick truly and as the Tigers went forward in the dying second it would be Luke McGuane who would make a match saving tackle to give him a shot at goal and halt the Blues comeback.
CARLTON – 3.3, 4.6, 9.12, 14.17 (101)
RICHMOND – 2.9, 9.14, 14.18, 14.22 (106)
GOALS
Carlton: Garlett 2, Betts 2, Judd 2, Gibbs 2, Murphy 2, Kreuzer 2, Hampson, Yarran,
Richmond: Vickery 3, Deledio 3, McGuane 2, King 2, Houli, Conca, Martin, Jackson
BEST
Carlton: Kreuzer, Gibbs, Jamison, Murphy, Judd
Richmond: Cotchin, Vickery, Deledio, Tuck, Grigg, Jackson
INJURIES
Carlton: Robinson (concussion)
Richmond: Nil
REPORTS
Chris Yarran (Carlton) reported for striking Richmond’s Bachar Houli
CROWD
80,971 at the MCG
