Both need to work on their social distancing, but there was a bit to like for Richmond and Carlton out of the the Tigers’ 24-point win at an eerily quiet MCG without any fans.
The season opener, that was only confirmed 24 hours before Thursday night’s opening bounce amid coronavirus concerns, was dominated by the reigning premiers early while the Blues fought back after halftime.
In David Teague’s first game in charge as full-time coach, Carlton slashed a 50-point margin to 15 in the final term before going down 16.9 (105) to 12.9 (81).
As all good sports do, the players began seeking out their opponents to shake hands after the final siren, which of course is a big no-no these days.
Despite the quickfire start, Damien Hardwick marked the reigning premiers down for a lack of discipline at times later on.
And he also took a thinly-veiled swipe at the umpiring for some close checking on Jack Riewoldt and Tom Lynch, who went goalless.
“I thought Tom and Jack battled but I thought they battled against guys… I’m thinking how to say this diplomatically,” Hardwick said.
“I don’t think I can, so I’m not going to say it.
“Look at the tape.”
Dustin Martin warmed into the match to finish with 24 possessions and a goal.
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Dion Prestia (25 disposals) and Trent Cotchin (19) were prominent in the first game played with newly-introduced shortened 16-minute plus time-on quarters.
Daniel Rioli, Shai Bolton, Jason Castagna and Riewoldt all kicked three goals.
Having lost ruckman Matthew Kreuzer to a foot injury in the first quarter, the Blues trailed by a game-high 50 points in the third.
But star recruit Jack Martin kicked four goals in the third term as the Blues kicked seven of eight goals to slice the margin to 15 points in the last quarter.
“I thought the boys showed resilience throughout the game and found a way to play more our style in the second half,” Teague said.
“I know our supporters out there will be pretty happy with the way that we fought out the game.
“But I don’t really want to be a team that just competes – we came here to win.”
Along with Martin, Patrick Cripps was instrumental in the fightback, the co-captain gathering 31 touches.
In his first game since round 23, 2017, Sam Docherty was outstanding with 26 disposals in his comeback from two knee reconstructions.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
The tigers deserved to win against an insipid side. The throwing was a team instruction. Very Hawkish. I hope it is nicked in the bud.
Eddie from Elwood
Roar Rookie
What slack? 6x6 said Realist, I think it was, was one eyed, I just thought that was a bit rich considering all he did was point out negatives about Richmond's game, all fair might I add. Bit much to call someone one eyed, when you, yourself are only providing one side, don't you think?
Eddie from Elwood
Roar Rookie
Didn't deny there was a throw, just said they were fortunate to kick six goals because of the throw. Don't be so defensive.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
It could be anyone of last year's top 4 I reckon.
sven
Roar Rookie
fair enough, certainly agree we didnt look anything special last night, but also pleased that we were able to do enough to get the bikkies…. be bloody nice if we had got rance back but we just gotta live without him, expect that opposition clubs will be putting a lot of time into grimes this year …. very early in the season yet, think 2018 showed us that u cant be peaking for the whole year (bit the same for geelong last year too), at the same time u need to finish high enough to be in a good position come finals ..lets hope we get a full season & get the crowds back soon !
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
And 6 x6 has a point, can we discuss or does it have to be RFC stamping out any other poster. Sheeeeeeeeeesh. You have been given a lot of slack.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Do you deny my thrust about the throw? Not one more like 15. If this is acceptable this season, I won’t be happy.
Eddie from Elwood
Roar Rookie
They kicked 6 goal from one throw, sheesh...........pretty fortunate.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Pedro Richmonds opening burst was due to non call of throwing the ball. It was like the Hawks four years ago.
peter ostle
Guest
I watched some of the match, but once Richmond established a sizeable lead Carlton never showed they had the game, or personnel with Kreuzer being injured, to come back. Given the hype that Carlton have generated in the last games of 2019, and the off season the game was disappointing. As to Richmond they did not maintain their pressure, especially in Q3 and Q4, so giving them something to work on. On the game: 1. Did it show that if the season is to have no crowds it would be better to have in small stadiums? 2. Will the game reveal that the players who 'miss' due to the presence of the crowd will no longer have that 'excuse', or we cannot use it. Rather will people now begin to talk of players who are missing due to their being no crowd?
Seymorebutts
Guest
Operative word being ''slowly''.. the rate they are improving by 2030 they will have a half decent side.
6x6 perkele
Roar Rookie
Richmond has weaknesses all clubs do I’m not searching they just shone a bit brighter last night, I’m not saying Richmond are bad saying there are things that where concerning imo, and I will assess tonight’s teams with the same attitude.
sven
Roar Rookie
as a tiges man its been nice getting a soft start to the season to ease into it for the last few years, credit where its due though, the blues are slowly improving
sven
Roar Rookie
u seem to be searching hard for richmond weaknesses there 6×6… show me any back line that goes well with enough pressure on them… in my opinion a lot of what happens in your back half & forward half too is very dependent on how the ball is coming in
sven
Roar Rookie
naughton was unreal that night… think they had a few have a crack at him but he was unstoppable…nothing like seeing a big power forward go to town…even if it is against your team …any decent tall forward is going to be hard to stop if hes getting good delivery
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
Spot on 6s.
RT
Roar Rookie
Even I am sick of Richmond vs Carlton as the opening game. I am not up for a GF rematch, but perhaps the reigning Premier against another top 6 team.
Eddie from Elwood
Roar Rookie
Sorry, was scanning earlier post where you pointed out some of the positives regarding Richmond in your well rounded commentary of the game...........still scanning
6x6 perkele
Roar Rookie
Reckon it's part the Carlton/Richmond factor more than anything man
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
I found it strange for the first 5 minutes minutes but then it was just game on for me, didn’t phase me. Would have been nice if the combatants were a little more even saying that. I wonder was the no fans thing that bored people or the fact Richmond had the game in the bag after 5 minutes in the first?