The Richmond Tigers have kicked their 2017 season off in style, riding a monumental effort from superstar midfielder Dustin Martin to defeat the Carlton Blues by 43 points in the first game of the season.
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Final score
Carlton Blues 14.5.89
Richmond Tigers 20.12.132
The long-awaited 2017 AFL season gets underway with the traditional season-opener between the Carlton Blues and Richmond Tigers. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:20pm AEDT.
There’s an air about Carlton right now that 2017 will most likely be a season of short-term pain for long-term gain.
While the club wasn’t a basket case by any measure in 2016, the second half of the season was a clear indication that the good times may be a bit further away than the first half of the season initially indicated.
One of the more encouraging performances last year however was the Round 1 clash with Richmond. While the Blues ultimately fell short, they pushed their opponents the distance – even leading at three-quarter time – in a gallant nine-point loss.
A similarly competitive effort tonight would certainly send Blues fans home happy.
Richmond, on the other hand, have their sights set a little higher in 2016.
Despite missing finals for the first time since 2012 last year, their recruiting last season and the offseason messaging suggests Damien Hardwick wants his side to return to September football this year.
A horrendous 1-6 start to the season doomed the Tigers early last year, and the great difficulty Carlton caused them in that sole win was just as discouraging for the club as some of the losses.
Richmond will want to make a statement on the season’s opening night.
This will be tenth year in a row that Carlton and Richmond have clashed in the opening round of the season. The Blues hold a 5-4 edge in this recent run of opening nights, but the Tigers have triumphed in the last three.
Since the start of the 2007 season, every game between these clubs has been played at the MCG. It’s easy to see why – the average attendance during this run has been a healthy 67,519.
Prediction
There’s been a lot of buzz on Carlton potentially causing a boilover in this season-opening clash.
The Blues will give an honest effort, but you’d think Richmond have too much to play for to let one slip this badly this early.
Tigers by 15 points
Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:20pm AEDT.
Macca
Guest
Brinxx - I don't see Casboult going anywhere anytime soon - 10 possessions, 4 marks and 1.1 isn't BOG stuff but it is solid enough and he was able to give Kreuzer a chop out in the ruck that McKay won't (at this stage I can't see the blues risking him in the ruck). If McKay does come in I would see him taking Weitering's spot forward and Weitering pushing out either Macreadie or Rowe.
Brinnx
Guest
Only time I saw Casbout was seen in the 1st half he was getting out bodied at the drop of the ball, but he took some good grabs in the 2nd when he was able to hit the pack at pace. Two or three good grabs a game is not going to be enough for him to stay in the side. I do worry about going to young to fast but McKay must be able to offer more than Levi. Still it is only round one, and you can't drop all of the underperforming "old" guard at once, but Levi and Thomas gave us nothing last night
Macca
Guest
I was a little surprised at that as well, 35 touches, 7 clearances, 7 tackles and 6 inside 50's for Murphy compared to 21 touches, with eight clearances, eight tackles and five inside 50s for Cotchin sort of speaks for itself really.
Liam
Guest
I'm curious about something; how'd you find a vote for Cotchin ahead of Murphy, Sterling?
Macca
Guest
Brinnx - did you see McKay kicked 4 in the VFL practice match - hopefully he can keep that form up and force his way in over coming weeks, although I wouldn't be surprised if Casboult gets looked at for his collision with Vlaustin (?) which could see McKay in next week - there wasn't much in it but if the AFL want to make a statement early he could be in trouble.
Macca
Guest
Slane - I agree the 3 tall defenders did a pretty good job although Rowe frustrates me when he spoils instead of marking and he is still a little fumbly. The Tigers small forwards and mids did do a great job - hopefully the blues can bring in some players like Buckley, Polson, Williamson or Fisher through the year and find a small defender and midfielder that can help in that area.
Slane
Guest
Thought Marchbank, Plowman and Rowe all played very well on Griffiths and Riewoldt but it was the Richmond small forwards and midfielders who did all the damage. I think that might just be a theme for Carlton games this year. Weitering is a gun.
Macca
Guest
Brinnx - 3 goals despite being clearly hampered is pretty hard to refute, especially with Marchbank, Plowman &Rowe going well down back. Longer term hopefully Rowe goes out and McKay comes in and Weitering goes back but for now he looks good forward
Brinnx
Guest
Macca, Yeah to be expected in the 1st round, skill levels across the weekend will be down. Always take's one or two weeks for skill levels to improve. Having said that about the only bad thing I will say about Simpson is he is prone to the occasional clanger, but he's not alone at the blues in that. On another note - prepared to concede the Weitering argument yet or you want to wait a couple of more weeks?
Macca
Guest
Brinnx - I other than Martin being awesome I thought one of the biggest difference was skill errors from some of our better players early on -Simpson and Docherty fumbled and missed targets at critical times in the first half that really hurt.
Stirling Coates
Editor
CARLTON v RICHMOND THE ROAR AFL MVP VOTES 3 VOTES - Dustin Martin (RCH) - A complete game from the superstar midfielder. 33 disposals, 13 contested possessions, six clearances, six inside 50s and could have had six goals too, but gave two off to finish with four. 2 VOTES - Dion Prestia (RCH) - Starred in his first game for his new club. 28 disposals with a healthy efficiency of 82%, six clearances, five tackles and a goal. 1 VOTE - Trent Cotchin (RCH) - A very good effort from the captain. Just the 21 touches, but very impactful with eight clearances, eight tackles and five inside 50s.
Macca
Guest
Can't complain too much about that, Weitering and Silvagni kicked 5 between them, Plowman and Marchbank had 38 touches and 18 marks and SPS laid 7 tackles and looked pretty assured. Murphy and Kreuzer both showed the benefits of a full ore-season while I doubt Cripps will play worse. Thomas, Armfield and White might find themselves under a fair bit of pressure though.
Brinnx
Guest
Well played Tigers just a bit to good overall. They will be encouraged by some of their youngsters and did not rely on Jack, Cotchin and Rance to carry them over the line for once. A pretty even performance from them, well except for one guy. Can they only give three Brownlow votes to a single player?, Martin deserved all 6, could have kicked 6 goals and he was the difference for mine when the Blues made their brief surge in the 3rd quarter. For the blues Marchbank was excellent, and I liked what I saw of SPS and Pickett. Weitering forward works for me, Rance smacked him one early on but I though he battled on well. Armfield and Thomas rarely seen and did not impact the game in any way, they are going to have to find some form quickly or the game will pass them by.
Stirling Coates
Editor
I agree, as good as the scoreboard made Richmond look, their skills were still very poor at times and they were only able to get away with it because Carlton were so bad. I think they can take care of Collingwood next week on this form, but it may come crashing back to earth against the Eagles in Round 3
Stirling Coates
Editor
CARLTON v RICHMOND FULL TIME REPORT Carlton - 14.5 (89) Richmond - 20.12 (132) GOAL KICKERS Blues: Weitering 3, Wright 3, Silvagni 2, Kreuzer 2, Armfield, Casboult, Thomas, Gibbs Tigers: Martin 4, Rioli 2, Butler 2, Nankervis 2, Castagna 2, Lloyd, Caddy, Edwards, Riewoldt, Vlaustin, Cotchin, Prestia, Grigg DISPOSAL LEADERS Blues: Murphy 35, Simpson 33, Gibbs 26 Tigers: Martin 33, Prestia 28, Grigg 27
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Interesting game. Not sure what to take from it really. Thanks for the call Stirling.
SmithHatesMaxwell
Guest
We need more information, but Richmond looks like a team that could possibly squeeze into the 8. It's been an open game which you wouldn't expect from both of these teams. 32 scoring shots is a lot. Martin looks awesome. Can't take him seriously with that neck tattoo.
Stirling Coates
Editor
SIREN The match had its ebbs and flows, but at the end of the night Richmond were never really troubled by Carlton as they romped to a comprehensive 43-point win to kick off season 2017. CAR - 14.5 (89) RCH - 20.12 (132) FULL TIME
Stirling Coates
Editor
Richmond have also had strong efforts from their new recruits. Dion Prestia's had 28 touches at 82%, Toby Nankervis has had 27 hit-outs and two goals, while Josh Caddy's been serviceable with 15 touches. CAR - 14.5 (89) RCH - 20.12 (132) Q4: 2'
Stirling Coates
Editor
GOAL TIGERS A complete performance from Dustin Martin tonight - easily best on ground. 32 disposals, 13 contested possessions, six clearances, six inside 50s, four goals. Could have easily had two more goals but gave them off. Can't ask for much more than that. CAR - 14.5 (89) RCH - 20.12 (132) Q4: 3'