RICHMOND has been vindicated for its off-season recruiting and attacking game style, launching the new season at the MCG with a 43-point win over Carlton on Thursday night.
Dominant for the first two quarters, the Tigers stumbled in the third but recovered to win the now traditional season opener for the fourth straight season, 20.12 (132) to 14.5 (89).
The match was up for grabs after Carlton rallied to cut a 44-point margin to 25 points at the final change, but it was outstanding midfielder Dustin Martin who asserted himself to seal the result.
In the opening minute of the final term he fended off Sam Docherty in trademark fashion to set up a 50m goal for Daniel Rioli, which stretched the margin to 32 points.
Minutes later he launched a 75m torpedo from the back of the centre square, allowing recruit Josh Caddy to run on inside 50 and soccer through the goal that broke Carlton's back.
Martin was brilliant all night, spending more time in attack to finish with 33 possessions, four goals, six inside 50s and six clearances.
He relished the Tigers' attacking style, which provided him with space when positioned inside 50 and allowed him to carve through the midfield with direct play when stationed up the ground.
He was well supported by midfield recruit Dion Prestia (28 possessions and six clearances), who slotted into the centre square and allowed captain Trent Cotchin (18 and one goal) to spend long minutes rotating as the Tigers' deepest forward.
It was a good night for all four of Richmond's debutants, with ruckman Toby Nankervis throwing his weight around at stoppages to finish with 27 hit-outs and two goals, while forward Dan Butler (two goals and five inside 50s) impressed.
The Tigers' attacking approach was on show from the opening minutes as they ran in waves and handballed through traffic.
They built a 44-point lead halfway through the second quarter, with Martin twice finding space inside 50 to snap classy goals as Richmond's high handball game came off effortlessly.
Carlton was trying to slow the game down, but it was an approach that played into the Tigers' hands as they pressured the Blues' inexperienced defenders and forced them into turnovers, playing the game in their own half.
The Blues would be encouraged by a third-quarter recovery that saw them kick five goals to two on the back of a resurgent midfield.
Young gun Jacob Weitering played exclusively as a forward and kicked three goals in an entertaining battle with star defender Alex Rance, but he finished the match with a hip complaint.
More pain could come when the Match Review Panel sits on Monday, with key forward Levi Casboult sure to be scrutinised for a high bump on Tiger Nick Vlastuin.
The Blues were well-served by captain Marc Murphy (35 possessions and seven clearances) and midfielder Bryce Gibbs (26 and seven), while defender Caleb Marchbank kicked on from a strong pre-season to impress in defence.
Prized draftee Sam Petrevski-Seton (11 and seven tackles) made his debut despite missing the entire JLT Community Series, but he showed promise with his dash and clean hands.
CARLTON 4.3 7.4 12.4 14.5 (89)
RICHMOND 7.3 13.5 15.11 20.12 (132)
GOALS
Carlton: Weitering 3, Wright 3, Kreuzer 2, Silvagni 2, Casboult, Gibbs, Armfield, Thomas
Richmond: Martin 4, Castagna 2, Butler 2, Nankervis 2, Rioli 2, Caddy, Edwards, Grigg, Riewoldt, Cotchin, Lloyd, Prestia, Vlastuin
BEST
Carlton: Murphy, Weitering, Gibbs, Docherty, Marchbank, Kreuzer
Richmond: Martin, Prestia, Cotchin, Castagna, Butler, Conca
INJURIES
Carlton: Jed Lamb (knee soreness) a late withdrawal replaced in selected side by Harrison Macreadie, Jacob Weitering (leg)
Richmond:
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Stevic, Nicholls, Hay
Official crowd: 73,137 at the MCG
