A really important game coming up for Richmond as they take on Carlton at the MCG on a Saturday afternoon. Live scores and commentary kicks off from 1.45pm AEST.
The Tiger Army has every right to be gearing up for a tilt at the finals with their spot now assured.
But there will be the inevitable seed of doubt in the back of the fans’ minds coming up against Carlton.
Because they will know more than any other club that when the Tigers come up against a side that’s either in the same boat or just below them in ability, they manage to find a way to come up short.
That trend seemed to come to an end earlier this year when they played the likes of Adelaide and St Kilda during the middle of the season.
But then against North Melbourne in Round 15, it looked as if they’d forgotten about how to get the job done.
But the last fortnight shows this side has so much upside to them.
The defensive work to shut down Buddy Franklin and Jarryd Roughead in Round 19 was a master-class that the rest of the competition could take on board.
And while the forward line didn’t really fire in the second half last week, they had others to step up to the plate to get the win against the Brisbane Lions.
Chris Newman has a forced layoff before the finals with an ankle injury, while Ricky Petterd and Dylan Grimes will slot back in nicely to the back line.
Carlton almost seems resigned to the fact the season is over and done with now, especially after last week’s disappointing performance against the Western Bulldogs.
It’s been added by the fact Chris Judd’s season is all but over after a right knee injury during the Bulldogs loss, while Andrew Carrazzo will also see the season out on the sidelines with a calf injury.
This idea that Mick Malthouse was the messiah that would take the Blues to the top of the table was always a fallacy.
Is he the reason the club is failing? Of course not.
It’s those players that have yet to step up to the plate and actually take themselves to the next level that should be blamed for this.
For some reason, players always seem to miss getting the bulk of the blame – always falling on the coach.
Malthouse is an extremely good coach, but there’s plenty of ‘hangers-on’ that just aren’t fitting the bill.
Expect this off-season to be one of some tumult, with some big names offered up for trade and told not to come back next season.
Look, there is still a chance the Blues could come into finals contention if the Essendon saga brings them into it.
But right now, the Blues players should be in damage control not just for the club, but for their own reputations.
applestg
Guest
the little man at cambar will be crying all the way too next season good on the old tigers you can bank on them soft.
applestg
Guest
see you next year Richmond
applestg
Guest
bye bye Richmond and most off the fans
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL | Carlton 16.10 (106) def. Richmond 14.12 (96) Quarter by Quarter Richmond 8.2 10.3 12.7 14.12 (96) Carlton 3.2 9.4 13.4 16.10 (106) Goalscorers RICH (10) – Ty Vickery 3, Jack Riewoldt 2, Brandon Ellis 2, Ricky Petterd 1, Nick Vlastuin 1, Shaun Grigg 1, Luke McGuane 1, Daniel Jackson 1, Ivan Maric 1, Alex Rance 1 CARL (8) – Brock McLean 3, Lachie Henderson 3, Levi Casboult 3, Bryce Gibbs 2, Troy Menzel 2, Mitch Robinson 1, Kade Simpson 1, Zach Tuohy 1 Team Stats Disposals: CARL 343-332; Disposal Efficiency: RICH 76%-74%; Kicking Efficiency: RICH 70%-69%; Contested Possessions: CAR 150-148; Uncontested Possessions: RICH 195-190; Marks: CARL 70-59; Clearances: CARL 44-36; Hitouts: LEVEL 47-47; Tackles: CARL 80-66; Inside 50’s: CARL 61-51 Player Stats Brett Deledio (RICH) 29 disposals, 9 contested possessions, 4 marks, 7 rebound 50’s, 7 tackles, 4 inside 50’s, 8 bounces Brock McLean (CARL) 27 disposals, 10 contested possessions, 6 marks, 5 clearances, 7 tackles, 6 inside 50’s, 3 goals Andrew Walker (CARL) 27 disposals, 6 marks, 8 rebound 50’s, 5 inside 50’s, 1 goal assist Mitch Robinson (CARL) 25 disposals, 11 contested possessions, 9 marks, 4 clearances, 5 tackles, 5 one-percenters, 7 inside 50’s, 1 goal Kade Simpson (CARL) 25 disposals, 8 contested possessions, 6 one-percenters, 1 goal
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
And looking at that other game, Port Adelaide currently hold a 3 point lead early Q4!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
There's the final siren! Carlton come back from a 30-point deficit at the quarter time break... they looked slow and never near it. But Bryce Gibbs, Marc Murphy and Brock McLean were fantastic in the second quarter... Then it was the Levi Casboult show in late Q3 and during the final quarter. That's a big win for the Blues... and now they will have a very keen interest in the Port Adelaide game going on right now. Carlton win by 10 points!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL | Carlton 16.10 (106) def. Richmond 14.12 (96)
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 0:05 left | RICH 14.12 (96) | CARL 16.10 (106) Mark to Casbolut - then a 50m penalty! Game over now. Against McGuane for going off the mark. So Casbolut, to make it 4... from 45m out - misses. But it matters not
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 0:37 left | RICH 14.12 (96) | CARL 16.9 (105) Carlton have to find team mates! Scotland kicks long to the wing - Graham almost the mark, Morris steals it. Chaplin inside 50, no mark, but Tuohy clears to Graham!
Jack
Guest
How long left ?
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 1:20 left | RICH 14.12 (96) | CARL 16.9 (105) Troy Chaplin wins a free kick on the defensive goal line. Richmond have to be clean from here - Foley on the wing, kicks to half forawrd... Rance almost, spills to Tuck - kicks from 45m... MISSES!!!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 2:11 left | RICH 14.11 (95) | CARL 16.9 (105) Clearance from Jackson for the Tigers - Foley's wrapped up inside 50. Cleared by the Blues... Murphy handballs to Gibbs, then inside 50 to Menzel, no mark... spills to Yarran, kicks a BEHIND...
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 2:53 left | RICH 14.11 (95) | CARL 16.8 (104) Or is there still time. Jack Riewoldt nutmeg's his opponent at half forward... long, long kick in front of Alex Rance - runs onto it - marks, then SLAMS a GOAL!!!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 3:36 left | RICH 13.11 (89) | CARL 16.8 (104) Robinson kicks to the forward pocket, CASBOULT... can't mark... then soccers off the ground - GOAL!!! That's the sealer!!! What a ripper goal!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 3:50 left | RICH 13.11 (89) | CARL 15.8 (98) Ball back inside 50 for Richmond. Time still on their side. Murphy handballs for Bell... almost lost it, uses Armifield. Then Casboult drops a mark at the wing. Ball lost by the Tigers in the middle - Mitch Graham the man who runs away, kicks to Troy Menzel at the top of 50m. Kicks long... but off to the pocket, ball in. Free kick at half forward to Walker now. Uses Simpson short... then short to Robinson...
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 5:14 left | RICH 13.11 (89) | CARL 15.8 (98) Dustin Martin through the middle of the ground... kicks well to the top of 50m to Vickery. Plays on to MARIC! Marks it 20m out from goal. MONSTER KICK coming up. This to bring the margin back to 9 points... Maric... kicks... A GOAL!!!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 6:20 left | RICH 12.11 (83) | CARL 15.8 (98) Trent Cotchin caught for holding the ball at half back. Carlton to launch forward again. Long ball from Curnow... falls to Foley and Tuck - important bounce for Maric to Cotchin, then Jackson. But his kick is turned over! Now Scotland has it at half forward... goes a long kick to the goal line... just a behind.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 7:45 left | RICH 12.11 (83) | CARL 15.7 (97) Ball in forward pocket for Richmond... but the Blues rebound - Betts uses Dennis Armfield... he uses his pace... but then his kick is smothered by Nick Vlastuin... ball in 55m out from Carlton's goal.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 9:00 left | RICH 12.11 (83) | CARL 15.7 (97) Deledio and Cotchin combine on the last line of defence. Deledio takes 5 bounces from the back line to half forward - handballs to Cotchin... then kicks towards MARIC... can't mark, but gathers straight away, snaps - POST!!!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 10:26 left | RICH 12.10 (82) | CARL 15.7 (97) Troy Menzel's marked at the top of 50... then goes to the pocket to Lachie Henderson. Both have been very impressive this afternoon. Really liked the look of Menzel today. Henderson, snaps - GOAL!!! This looks tough now for the Tigers!