THEY’VE done it again.

Carlton was once again made to do it the hard way, coming from behind at three-quarter time to emerge with a five-point victory against Richmond.

In another memorable Round 1 encounter from these two sides, it was a game where neither side had clear ascendancy on the scoreboard at any point, with both teams going tit for tat.

Patrick Cripps was colossal in the middle with 22 contested possessions - the 20th time he’s achieved the total in his career - while it was arguably Mitch McGovern’s best game for the football club with 26 disposals at 92 per cent efficiency.

The Blues will head into the Round 2 bye sitting at 2-0, with the Good Friday SuperClash to come in a fortnight.

Quarter one

The hero from last week stepped up to open proceedings at the MCG, with Harry McKay kicking off the scoring after a Brodie Kemp assist. It was clear from the early going that the Blues were looking to back in their transition game, chaining through handballs which ultimately led to a goal from Matthew Kennedy. Nic Newman had some crucial one-on-one wins early in the piece while Adam Saad was typically brilliant with his ball use, but the Blues’ contest game - usually their biggest strength - wasn’t to the level required in the opening term. After Carlton opened up a two-goal lead, Richmond surged to hit the front at quarter time on the back of four straight goals, beating the Blues in their battles — the Tigers were +16 in contested possessions and +4 in clearances after the opening half hour. Patrick Cripps toiled away with nine disposals, but the Blues needed a lift at the coalface to overturn an 11-point deficit.

Quarter two

There was a renewed intent about the Blues in the second term, playing the majority of the quarter on their own terms. The ball lived in Carlton’s forward half for the vast majority, at one point having 13 of the first 15 inside 50s — however, the Blues failed to capitalise on their opportunities, whereas the Tigers converted from their few forward forays. The Blues kicked 3.6 as some half chances went begging, despite good work in front of goal from Charlie Curnow, Ollie Hollands - who kicked his first goal on the MCG - and McKay. Carlton was putting Richmond under all sorts of heat, and Mitch McGovern was outstanding in ensuring the Blues played a forward-half game. The defender had seven disposals at 100 per cent efficiency as the Blues generated repeat inside 50s, also on the back of good work from Newman (nine disposals), Jack Carroll (seven disposals) and Zac Williams (four intercepts). While the Blues looked to be certainties to head into the half-time break with a narrow lead, a late Richmond flurry - and a goal on the siren to Maurice Rioli - saw the Blues trail by the narrowest of margins at the half.

Quarter three

It looked as the third term would see the Blues replicate the second, as two of their star performers - McGovern and McKay - combined to give the Blues the lead back. However, what ensued was the beginning of a trend in the third term, where every time Carlton converted and hit the lead, its opponent would muster an immediate response. Adam Cerra started to lift after an uncharacteristically quiet third term, accumulating seven disposals, but the Tigers returned to their ball hunting which served them so well in the opening term, eclipsing the Blues for contested possessions in the third term. Forward pressure was the name of the game for the Blues in generating scoring opportunities, directly leading to goals from Curnow and Matthew Cottrell, but some sloppy play was extremely costly, as two late Richmond goals opened up an eight-point gap in favour of the Tigers.

Quarter four

Carlton needed a collection of its players to grab the game by the scruff of the neck — and the individual who immediately answered that call was Tom De Koning. The ruckman put together an inspired opening 10 minutes to help Carlton wrestle back the lead, kicking the go-ahead goal from long range after Matthew Owies’ opener. When Cerra managed to eek out another goal following a forward stoppage, all momentum was with the Blues, with the 83,000 strong in attendance deafening in their support of the home team. Captain Cripps continued to lead right from the very front, ending the night with 31 disposals and 22 contested possessions, while Saad provided a sure head behind the ball with 10 final-quarter disposals. While the Blues looked to be relatively comfortable against a labouring Tigers outfit, the away side came again, and errors brought them back into the contest. For the second straight week - and for the sixth straight Carlton win - the Blues were made to do it the hard way, with the ball camped inside their defensive 50 as the siren sounded with the Blues once again narrow victors. 

CARLTON        3.3      6.9     9.11     12.14 (86)
RICHMOND     5.2      7.4     11.7     12.9 (81)

GOALS
Carlton: McKay 3, Curnow 2, Owies 2, Cerra, Cottrell, De Koning, Hollands, Kennedy, McKay

BESTS
Carlton: Cripps, McGovern, McKay, Saad, De Koning, Newman