Richmond has caused an almighty upset, stunning Carlton by 13 points at the MCG on Thursday night.

The youthful Tigers, heavy outsiders, came from 41 points down to record a 13.4 (82) to 9.15 (69) victory.

While Richmond was led by captain Toby Nankervis (21 disposals and two goals), it was No.1 draft pick Sam Lalor (18 and two) who provided the spark and Jack Ross (28 and two) who stepped up in a remarkable win.

The Tigers kicked 12 goals to four after quarter-time in their victory.

Blues captain Patrick Cripps (32 disposals and nine clearances) worked tirelessly, but Carlton was unable to find answers when the Tigers got rolling.

It's not the despair, it's the hope.

It's what drives players, supporters and coaches through the long summer months.

Hope that this year, just maybe, things will be a little different, or not quite as grim as they appear. That the kid is going to be all right.

That maybe, Richmond might string together five goals in a row over the second and third terms to haul itself back into the contest against the much more fancied Carlton, which had led by 41 points in the second. 

That the enthusiasm of youth might hassle and harry and chase and panic defenders into silly mistakes, and that the young backman with the laser kick, Tom Brown, would show nerves of steel to tie the game after the three-quarter time siren.

That the No.1 pick, Sam Lalor, heralded as the club's next generational player before he'd stepped on the MCG, might put Richmond in front for the first time all match with his second goal at the start of the fourth.

And that maybe, just maybe, the side which some suggested could go winless all season, would cling on for dear life, and secure a defining win against the old foe, celebrated with a Seth Campbell handstand-into-backflip.

The exuberance of youth. 

It's not the despair, it's the hope.

For the record – Richmond defeated Carlton by 13 points in front of 80,009 at the MCG, 13.4 (82) to 9.15 (69).

For Carlton, this year is all about staking its claim as one of the top teams of the competition, the first-half elimination final capitulation to eventual premier Brisbane having burned a hole in the back of minds all summer.

Jacob Weitering was simply superb in defence in the first half, snatching up everything that came his way against a very rusty Tom Lynch, while Patrick Cripps shook off a Kamdyn McIntosh tag as unusual as the bald man's headband.

The pair even contested a centre bounce as rucks, such was the weirdness in the air.

Carlton champion Sam Docherty was the starting sub, and came on at three-quarter time to good effect, providing some run to a flatfooted side, but 1.6 in the final quarter was the final nail in the coffin.

Jacob Blight played a strong first half in defence – his fourth game at the top level – before being subbed out with cramp in his quad, the Blues' relatively short forward line meaning coach Adem Yze backed in his other talls to manage.

RICHMOND 1.1 4.1 9.3 13.4 (82)
CARLTON 5.4 7.8 8.9 9.15 (69)

GOALS
Richmond: Ross 2, Nankervis 2, Lalor 2, Campbell 2, Mansell, Lynch, Hopper, Brown, Bauer
Carlton: Williams, Walsh, Silvagni, McKay, Kemp, Evans, Cowan, Cottrell, Acres

BEST
Richmond: Taranto, Ross, Nankervis, Miller, Lalor, Vlastuin
Carlton: Cripps, Weitering, De Koning, Walsh, Cerra

INJURIES
Richmond: Nil
Carlton: Nil

SUBSTITUTES
Richmond: Tyler Sonsie (replaced Jacob Blight in the third quarter)
Carlton: Sam Docherty (replaced Cooper Lord at three-quarter time)

Crowd: 80,009 at the MCG