You couldn't wipe the smile off Adem Yze's face amid a raucous Richmond changerooms that seemed more akin to a finals win at the MCG on Thursday night.

The Tigers had kicked just one goal as Carlton galloped away to a 41-point lead, with three majors just before half-time wrestling momentum back their way, before kicking on to record a 13-point victory.

"You get a lot of belief in the things that've been training. We've trained a lot around our system, our method, but a lot around our mental mastery. So for our players, a young group, they've got to learn how to deal with momentum," Yze said.

"That was almost the most pleasing part of the game, not letting that scoreboard impact the way that we wanted to play. For them to reset and go back to their anchors and get back out there and execute.

"We knew it was going to take a little bit of time, just wanted to chip away at it, but to the boys' credit, their spirit and energy didn't waver at all, which is all I can ask."

Richmond fielded three debutants – No.1 draft pick Sam Lalor, forward Harry Armstrong and defender Luke Trainor – with the former finishing with 18 disposals and two goals and showing plenty of polish.

Lalor's performance was particularly impressive after having surgery on a fractured jaw less than a month ago.

"That's why he's a talented kid and he'll just get better, but that's what he does. When the ball's in his area, he knows how to play and he knows how to win and he knows how to fight," Yze said.

"Who would have thought a few weeks ago – he was getting surgery on his jaw, and now he's having a win on the MCG. [It's a] great opportunity for our footy club to celebrate with their families and it's just one step along that journey."

Yze said young key back Jacob Blight – who impressed in his first half against Harry McKay – was subbed out with a tight groin.