Carlton has beaten Richmond in round one for the first time in a decade, producing a big final-quarter comeback to give new coach Michael Voss a winning start with a 25-point victory at a packed MCG.
The two teams were looking for a kickstart to their campaigns after finishing 12th and 13th respectively in 2021.
The Blues were nervous early and trailed by 20 points at quarter-time, but four unanswered goals in the second term saw them take an eight-point lead into the main break.
Richmond lifted a gear in the third quarter to lead by 15 points at the final change, and the Tigers got the first of the final quarter.
But a stunning string of goals saw the Blues run over the top of Richmond, sparking big celebrations at the siren.
The start was frantic end to end stuff. The Blues fans were up early when Tom de Koning leapt high to take a big pack mark inside 50, but he couldn’t finish off.
At the other end, Richmond took advantage of a turnover and got the ball inside to Shai Bolton who ran in and goaled from 25.
The Blues were moving the ball well and quickly downfield, but couldn’t quite get the right last pass or bounce of the ball.
Finally with 12 minutes to go, Carlton went inside 50 once more and after the ball bobbled around Matt Kennedy snapped it high to go through.
Carlton was still missing chances, and the Tigers showed more composure inside 50 — Shane Edwards drilled a kick to Liam Baker in space in the right forward pocket, and Baker went back and kicked it.
A minute later, Bolton showed why his brilliance could make the difference, twisting and turning the Blues defenders before finishing coolly.
Soon after the Tigers looked like they would blow the game open when Tom Lynch marked in the pocket but his right foot banana went just too far to the left.
The spearhead made up for it 45 seconds later, taking an easy pack mark 20 out and he kicked his first to put Richmond 19 points up in time on.
The Blues went forward early second term but Harry McKay missed a set shot.
A couple of minutes later, though, Michael Voss’ men showed something of what they could do.
Mitch McGovern took a great intercept mark on the wing – the turnover soon spread through the middle and Patrick Cripps was flying through the corridor and he kicked long, the ball shepherded through for a goal.
The Tigers gave away a 50 for going over the mark. Mitch McGovern kicked long to McKay inside 50, but Cripps stole in and took the mark – he split the sticks and suddenly there was only a kick in it.
There were injury problems for Richmond – Dion Prestia went down the race early in the second term with a hamstring problem and a few minutes later he was subbed out for Hugo Ralphsmith.
The Blues were suddenly in charge, creating turnovers. The ball was quickly back inside 50 and Corey Durdin marked and converted for his first AFL goal. Carlton led at the midway point of the quarter.
The emotional moment of the match came next. Carlton cut off another Richmond foray and chipped the ball to Sam Docherty in the middle.
The Richmond player went over the mark, giving Docherty 50. The crowd roared as the Blues defender, who has recovered from two bouts of testicular cancer to make it on to the field for round one, went back and kicked truly from 30 metres out.
His teammates ran in and swamped the veteran.
Richmond responded in the second half, upping the pressure levels with Lynch kicking a goal four minutes in.
When Jake Aarts received a free and converted three minutes later, the Tigers were ahead.
McKay answered for Carlton, but converted defender Noah Balta then kicked two goals – including a brilliant curling kick from the left forward pocket to give the Tigers breathing space.
Carlton was under big pressure and the Blues defence gave away another free inside 50 to Jack Riewoldt, who kicked truly to bring the lead out to three goals.
The Blues badly needed the next goal, and they got it through a set shot from Jack Silvagni.
Carlton got the lead back to nine points, but a late free to Dustin Martin led to a goal just before the siren, and Richmond led by 15 points at three quarter-time.
Carlton attacked to start the last, but the Blues couldn't convert — and then at the other end Bolton appeared to have clinched the win when he kicked his third.
But that was the end of the run for Richmond.
Third-gamer Durdin grabbed a vital score, then new recruit from Sydney, George Hewett added another as the roar built from Blues fans.
And once Cripps kicked his third, and when Jack Martin and Zac Fisher booted two in a minute, the Blues were in front.
Two more goals before the end made the final minutes more than comfortable for Carlton.
The Blues midfield had a big impact, with Kennedy picking up touches, Cripps and Adam Cerra had 30 disposals each and the Blues won the clearances 40-22.
