RICHMOND has unfurled its premiership flag in style in front of a record crowd at the MCG, kicking away from a new-look Carlton to win its fifth consecutive season opener by 26 points on Thursday night.
The Blues threatened to spoil the Tigers' party, but the class and experience of the premiers told in the final term, kicking six of the last eight goals to win 17.19 (121) to 15.5 (95) in front of 90,151 fans.
The match was alive early in the fourth quarter before dominant midfielder Dustin Martin swooped onto a loose ball and kicked a running goal to spark the Tigers' run and end the plucky Blues' fight.
The Brownlow medallist, who was only shaded by young Carlton star Patrick Cripps, finished with 32 possessions (17 contested) and six clearances, picking up where he left off after his decorated 2017.
He asserted himself on the contest when he needed to, with the Tigers also lifting just in time after a scratchy start that saw an attacking Blues' outfit challenge them for three quarters.
It was the Tigers' seventh consecutive win against the Blues, with the Tiger Army turning out in force to break the previous round one record of 87,119 held by Collingwood and Carlton.
Captain Trent Cotchin (24 and seven clearances) was excellent for the victors, while defender Alex Rance was impenetrable at times across half-back.
Cripps was the star on Thursday night though, winning a personal best 36 possessions (25 contested) and nine clearances, signaling a big season for the young midfielder.
Exciting Carlton forward Charlie Curnow was also electrifying at times, booting five goals after a pre-season that has seen him stamped as one of the game's rising stars.
The Blues were hit by injury though, with ruckman Matthew Kreuzer spending a long period off the ground with a groin problem and midfield recruit Matt Kennedy troubled by an ankle injury that ended his night in the second quarter.
The Tigers were caught on the hop after watching their 2017 premiership unfurl at the Punt Road end of the MCG, with Carlton kicking the first five goals of the match.
Curnow kicked the opening goal of the new season, while Kennedy and fellow recruit Jarrod Garlett were heavily involved early as the Blues took risks and linked up through the midfield.
Carlton was also the better pressure team early, with the Tigers laying just one tackle in the opening 10 minutes before settling through the leadership of Jack Riewoldt and influence of Martin.
After a high-octane start, the game took on a contested edge in the second quarter and the Blues held their own, entering the main break four points clear but without Kennedy.
Tall forward Levi Casboult had just one possession in the opening half, with the Blues crying out for a marking target as Rance asserted himself in the air across half-back.
The Blues instead directed their attack through Curnow, who booted two of his five goals in the third quarter.
The umpires were red hot on the protected area rule, and Curnow benefited early in the fourth quarter, kicking the Blues' fifth goal from a 50m penalty to give them a two-point lead.
It was the perfect time for Martin to assert himself, and that's what he did, making sure the Tigers didn't start their premiership defence on the back foot.
RICHMOND 4.4 6.11 11.14 17.19 (121)
CARLTON 6.1 8.3 12.4 15.5 (95)
GOALS
Richmond: Townsend 4, Riewoldt 4, Butler 3, Caddy 3, Castagna 2, Martin
Carlton: C.Curnow 5, Wright 5, Garlett 2, Fisher, Casboult, Petrevski-Seton
BEST
Richmond: Martin, Rance, Cotchin, Caddy, Riewoldt, Butler
Carlton: Cripps, C.Curnow, Simpson, Murphy, Wright, Marchbank
INJURIES
Richmond: Nil
Carlton: Kennedy (left ankle), Kreuzer (groin)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Fisher, Rosebury, Hosking
Official crowd: 90,151 at the MCG
