CARLTON has fallen painfully short of victory at IKON Park in a 10-point defeat to Richmond.

A blistering start - the team's best football for the season - saw the Blues lead the Tigers for three of the four quarters at IKON Park.

Coming out of the gate strong, Carlton piled on four unanswered goals against Richmond, including a major from 50-gamer Kerryn Peterson and Taylor Ortlepp's first goal in football.

It was the Game Changers' pressure which was the difference early, with the Blues dominating forward territory on the back of the good work of Brea Moody and Jess Good.

The ruck duo held up yet again, dominating the hitouts 48-14, but from the second term onwards, the Tigers were cleaner in the contest, managing to find space and take the uncontested ball.

Richmond took it to the home side after the first change, reversing the forward territory numbers, but Carlton held up well considering the onslaught of defensive pressure in the second term.

Two goals from Richmond put the pressure on Carlton in the third term, controlling the air with nine contested marks to three, with the Blues struggling to get personnel behind the ball in transition. 

A goal from Keeley Skepper in the third term inched the Blues back in front, but two late goals from the Tigers in the final five minutes, resulting in a 10-point loss for the Blues. 

Mimi Hill was her usual classy self, gathering 20 disposals, seven contested possessions, 281 metres gained and four score involvements, while Abbie McKay delivered 10 tackles. 

To go with her first-quarter goal, Ortlepp had her best game so far in Navy Blue, recording 11 disposals (seven contested) as well as a team-high four score involvements.

CARLTON           4.2     4.3     5.3     5.4 (34)
RICHMOND       1.1     2.4     4.6     6.8 (44)

GOALS
Carlton: Hill, Ortlepp, Peterson, Pound, Skepper

BESTS
Carlton: Hill, Peterson, McKay, McEvoy, Moody