CARLTON let a strong first half slip in a 13-point defeat to Richmond.

Opening the season in front of 80,009 people at the MCG, the Blues burst out of the blocks but let a 40-point lead turn into a 14-point deficit come the final siren in a wasteful second half.

It was unsurprisingly a hot start at the MCG after a long pre-season for both clubs, with the Blues getting the upper hand in the contested possession battle to open proceedings - always a good sign for those wearing Navy Blue.

A forward-half turnover won by Blake Acres ensured the Blues were on the board for season 2025, while big cheers were reserved from Carlton fans in the crowd for Lucas Camporeale’s first disposal and Jack Silvagni in his return game.

The Blues had the hot hand early, with newly permanent forward Brodie Kemp jagging his first goal at the MCG, before Francis Evans produced an opportunistic finish for his opening major in Navy Blue.

It was a highly efficient term going forward for the Blues in terms of generating shots on goal, with over 50 per cent of their forward entries resulting in scores: only inaccuracy - kicking 5.4 - prevented them from having a greater lead than 27 points at the first change.

The trend from the first quarter continued in the second, with Carlton’s midfield getting on top. Adam Cerra had a brilliant first half, with nobody eclipsing his 16 first-quarter disposals, while he was typically supported by Patrick Cripps, George Hewett, Cooper Lord and Sam Walsh.

It was a familiar combination for the Blues’ seventh goal of the game when Cripps combined with Walsh: it was Cripps’ second goal assist in a matter of minutes, opening up a 40-point lead for the Blues. To that point, the Blues had been outstanding in the clinches (51 contested possessions), and had seven individual goalkickers for seven goals.

After making their debut together in this game two years ago, Lachie Cowan and Ollie Hollands produced an inspired five minutes, with Cowan producing his second career goal from long range while Hollands’ back-with-the-flight contest drew the acclaim of the MCG crowd.

Four of the Blues’ first seven goals came from clearances in the opening half, demonstrating the damage being done from the middle.

As is always the case when these two sides meet in Round 1, both team got their moments, and Richmond wasn’t going down without a fight in front of a capacity crowd - the Tigers kicked three straight goals to bring the margin back to 25 points at the main change, narrowly getting the edge over the Blues for the term.

The co-vice captain led the way, with Jacob Weitering hauling in seven marks (five intercept, two contested) behind the ball.

Richmond had its tail up heading into quarter three, and when No.1 pick Sam Lalor converted from the goal line, the margin was back to 11 points, and the Blues were without a goal since the 16-minute mark of the second term.

Bobbing up for his first goal of the season, it was Harry McKay who was the steadying hand, linking with Kemp to reinstate the Blues’ three-goal buffer.

However the Tigers wouldn’t go away, kicking the next three goals - including one on the siren - to level the scores at three-quarter time.

Subbed on at three-quarter time for Lord (tactical), Sam Docherty nearly made an instant impact if not for his right-footed snap hitting the inside of the post, before some costly errors meant the Tigers kicked the opening three goals of the final term: to that point, it meant Richmond had kicked 11 of the game’s last 12 goals.

Silvagni swung forward with immediate impact to get the Blues back in the game, as the Blues needed something special to overcome a spirited Richmond outfit.

The Blues pressed but it wasn’t to be, with a late Seth Campbell goal meaning Carlton fell to its first Round 1 defeat since 2021.

RICHMOND     1.1     4.1     9.3       13.4 (82)
CARLTON        5.4    7.8     8.9       9.15 (69)

GOALS

Carlton: Acres, Cottrell, Cowan, Evans, Kemp, McKay, Silvagni, Walsh, Williams