Richmond’s first win of the 2014 season came in typically nail-biting fashion, against a Carlton team which stormed home in the second half.
The Tigers kicked the first four goals of the game, and took a 31-point lead into half time.
However, as the team discovered in several encounters with the Blues the previous season, a handy lead early doesn’t guarantee victory, and so it was again as Richmond clung to a slender lead deep in the final term.
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On the first of many occasions in the 2014 season, it was Dustin Martin who iced the game for the Tigers, with his clever snap ensuring a 12-point win.
Brandon Ellis was one of the best afield, for his performance in nullifying Carlton ball magnet Bryce Gibbs, while kicking two goals himself, and collecting 18 disposals.
WHAT THE COACH SAID:
"I think our players just stood up. Good players stood up and you saw Jack (Riewoldt) take a couple of big marks and Ty (Vickery) took a couple of crucial grabs. Chris Newman, Trent Cotchin … all these guys, Brett (Deledio) was a bit sore tonight so we had to perch him up forward. We were pretty happy with the way those guys stood up towards the end."
ROAR VISION HIGHLIGHTS:
The final two minutes
Match highlights
Ben Griffiths in the rooms
Team song
Damien Hardwick press conference
MATCH DETAILS:
RICHMOND 6.3 10.6 12.12 14.14 (98)
CARLTON 2.4 5.5 9.7 12.14 (86)
GOALS
Richmond: Vickery 4, Ellis 2, Martin 2, S. Edwards, Cotchin, Deledio, Griffiths, Riewoldt, King
Carlton: Yarran 3, Everitt 2, Menzel 2, Bell, Simpson, Waite, Garlett, Gibbs
BEST
Richmond: Ellis, Petterd, Thomas, Vickery, Cotchin, Hampson, Newman
Carlton: Yarran, Simpson, Jamison, Curnow, Waite, Thomas
INJURIES
Richmond: Nil
Carlton: Matthew Kreuzer (foot) replaced in selected side by Dylan Buckley, Matthew Watson (ankle) replaced in selected side by Sam Rowe
SUBSTITUTES
Richmond: Jake King replaced by Nathan Foley in the third quarter
Carlton: Brock McLean replaced by Kane Lucas in the third quarter
Reports: Dustin Martin (Richmond) reported in the second quarter for striking Simon White (Carlton)
Umpires: Stevic, Stewart, Leppard
Official crowd: 62,037 at the MCG
