It was a tough contest at the 'G, with the Blues keeping up with the Tigers up until the final minutes of the game.

Dominant performances from Sam Walsh, Patrick Cripps, Adam Saad and Lachie Plowman gave Carlton fans plenty to like against the reigning premiers, but there will be plenty of learnings ahead of their next game against Collingwood. 

Quarter one:

Richmond had the possession in the early stages of the game, but Carlton was able to put pressure on and prevent them from hitting the scoreboard. Lachie Fogarty laid a hard tackle in his first act as a Blue, while Will Setterfield was active across a wing. Lachie Plowman provided solid cover in the defensive 50, winning numerous one-on-one contests and helping move the ball out of danger. A lovely assist from Ed Curnow brought about the first goal of the season through Levi Casboult, before Lochie O'Brien hit the scoreboard soon after from similarly close range. It was a quarter of momentum swings, with Richmond hitting back immediately after the Blues' first two goals. The Tigers had the better of the Blues in terms of centre clearances but a miracle right-foot snap from Paddy Dow put the Blues in front. Richmond ramped up the pressure in the closing minutes of the quarter, using their speed and structure to make use of Carlton’s missed opportunities. Jacob Weitering was fighting a tough battle in the backline alongside Sam Docherty, while Marc Pittonet helped out with some aerial contested work. 

Quarter two:

The Blues came out of the gates fast, with Harry McKay kicking a handy goal to open the second term. It was an even contest with the ball travelling from end-to-end, but classy goals from Jack Silvagni and Gibbons gave the Blues some momentum. Richmond dominated the inside 50 count but Carlton’s defensive line was able to stop them from converting in the opening stages of the quarter. Patrick Cripps and Walsh were pivotal in the middle, with their ability to burrst through congestion and move the ball forward evident for Gibbons' major. A few costly mistakes in the defensive 50 saw Richmond have a few more scoring opportunities, but Adam Saad and Docherty were particularly active in moving the ball from half back. Once again, the Tigers were on top in the late stages of the quarter, with Dustin Martin and Dion Prestia causing trouble for the Blues. Richmond capitalised on Carlton’s errors, kicking four unanswered goals as they put the pressure on Carlton’s defence to take a two-goal lead into the main break.

Quarter three: 

Oscar McDonald had an immediate impact in his first minutes on the ground, with the medical substitute - who replaced Jack Silvagni (shoulder) kicking a goal and providing strong forward pressure. Carlton was able to keep the ball in its half, with Sam Petresvki-Seton and Jack Newnes mopping up between half back and wing. Fogarty’s and Setterfield’s pressure was positive, but not as positive as the impact of Lachie Plowman in unfamiliar territory. Tucked on the boundary fro 50 out, his first goal in Navy Blue was 91 games in the making to give the Blues a narrow lead. Consecutive goals to Jack Riewoldt once again opened up a Richmond lead late in the term, with Carlton left to rue some missed opportunities in front of goal, including two posters. 

Quarter four: 

The quarter started as a scrap with such a small margin on the scoreboard, but Richmond began to win the ball out of the middle. However, whenever the Tigers hit the scoreboard, a spirited Carlton outfit hit right back, with goals to McDonald, McKay and Gibbons respectively (all of them multiple goalkickers) bringing the Blues within a kick heading into time on. Setterfield's tackle pressure was important as he spent his time as an inside and outside midfielder, but the Blues' backline was soon under siege as Richmond locked the ball in their forward half in the final minutes. Zac Fisher moved on-ball as the Blues looked to inject some life into their midfield mix, but Richmond's experience shone in the last quarter. In a Dustin Martin-inspired flurry, the margin blew out fro five to 25 points come the final siren.

Three things from the game: 

1. The midfield duo of Sam Walsh and Patrick Cripps was a shining light for the Carlton team. While the Blues struggled to gain the ascendancy at the centre bounce, the pairing coined 'Batman and Robin' in 2019 combined for 59 disposals, 26 contested possessions, 17 score involvements and 11 clearances. It looks a likely midfield mix for the Blues, with recruit Zac Williams to return from suspension next week.
2. Adam Saad, Lachie Fogarty and Oscar McDonald slotted into the side seamlessly, with all three making an impact in their respective positions. Saad was electric in offence and defence, collecting 25 disposals and 352 metres gained, while Fogarty (eight score involvements) and McDonald (two goals in a half) provided plenty of forward pressure. 
3. Until the last few minutes, the Blues were able to go toe-to-toe with the reigning premiers. However, David Teague's side will be ruing some missed opportunities in front of goal, particularly in the third term. Embracing the moment and taking half chances when they come will be a key focus for a Carlton outfit which showed it was more than capable of taking the next step.

Moment of the match:

A goal 91 games in the making.

While Lachie Plowman did have a senior AFL goal to his name, it came in his fifth game and in GWS colours. So when the dependable defender lined up from 50 metres near the boundary line, the celebration couldn't have been more appropriate for a Blue as loved as anyone amongst the playing group. It capped off an impressive personal performance for Plowman, who starred in the first half particularly with Carlton's back line under increasing pressure.

RICHMOND     3.3      8.5      10.8      15.15 (105)
CARLTON         3.2      6.6      8.12       11.14 (80)

GOALS
Carlton: McDonald 2, McKay 2, Gibbons 2, Casboult, O'Brien, Dow, Silvagni, Plowman

BEST
Carlton: Walsh, Saad, Cripps, Plowman, Newnes, Setterfield

SUBSTITUTES
Carlton: Oscar McDonald replaced Jack Silvagni (shoulder)

Crowd: 49,218 at the MCG