THE Carlton Reserves couldn’t recover from a slow start as Richmond ran away 25-point winners in Round 4.

The Blues trailed by 40 points at the major break and despite a gallant effort in the second half, the margin was too great to overcome.

Will Hayes starred in his 100^th VFL match, collecting 35 disposals, while Jack Carroll and Tom Williamson were both solid contributors on return with 23 touches each.

Quarter one

It was a tough battle for the opening 12 minutes, with neither side managing a score. The Tigers then took advantage of a couple of forward-50 free kicks that helped them build an early lead. Joel Trudgeon found himself in behind Richmond’s defence to kick the Carlton Reserves’ first, but the Tigers used the breeze to their favour and continued to score heavily. Tom De Koning’s mark and goal after the siren was badly needed and brought the margin back to 19 points at the first change. Jack Carroll had a strong opening term in his first VFL game of the home-and-away season, recording 11 disposals and three clearances.

Quarter two

The Blues had no problem taking their chances in this term, but couldn’t stop the Tigers’ scoring power either. Richmond kicked the opening two goals of the quarter, before consecutive majors within a minute to Sam Philp and Brodie Kemp quickly had Carlton back in touch. However, for the rest of the term, a pair of Ben Crocker goals were the only scores for Carlton interspersed between five Richmond majors as the away side pulled away in the contest.

Quarter three

If the message at half time was to stop the bleeding, the Blues certainly followed it. The Tigers only managed a solitary point for the entire term, as the Blues owned territory and field position. The positive of the first half was that Carlton took its chances, but that wasn’t the case in the third term. The Blues’ 2.5 (17) didn’t reflect their dominance, as the Tigers managed to hold a four-goal lead heading into the final change: Sam Philp with his second major and a Ned Cahill snap were the only goals of the quarter. Will Hayes willed the Blues back into the contest in his 100^th VFL game, as he collected 14 disposals in the term.

Quarter four             

It was an arm-wrestle for the first 10 minutes as both sides jostled to find the ever-important opening goal of the quarter. Eventually the Tigers broke through, and there was no way back for the Blues despite a late flurry of goals. Will Hayes deservedly found a major to complement his 35-disposal game, while Jesse Motlop and Cody Hirst also kicked late goals. The final margin was a respectable but disappointing 25 points. 

Three things we learned:

1. You can’t win them all. Despite the magnificent start to the VFL season that saw the Blues win their opening three matches, Sunday afternoon’s clash was a bit of a reality check. It’s a long season, and Carlton will be looking to bounce back against Werribee next week.

2. Will Hayes and Jack Carroll can find the football at the coalface. The midfield duo battled manfully, racking up 18 clearances between them. Hayes’ 10 clearances were a game-high, as he continues to go from strength-to-strength this season: he is averaging 35 disposals and a goal a game.

3. Lachie Plowman was very important down back for the Carlton Reserves, as he collected 21 disposals including 13 kicks. His eight marks were a team-high, including a couple of intercepts that helped repel some Tiger attacks.

CARLTON RESERVES        2.0     6.0       8.5       11.6 (72)
RICHMOND VFL                5.1     12.4     12.5      15.7 (97)

GOALS
Carlton: Crocker 2, Philp 2, Cahill, De Koning, Hayes, Hirst, Kemp, Trudgeon

BEST
Carlton: Hayes, Plowman, Maher, Carroll, Boyd, Radovanovic

Tarquin Oakley is a student at La Trobe University, undergoing his Bachelor of Media and Communications (Sports Journalism). He is currently undertaking an internship at the Carlton Football Club as part of its partnership with La Trobe University.