Media articles & stats: Tigers cruise to victory over Blues

[one-eyed]

Match report: Tigers cruise to victory over Blues

AFL.com.au
24 March 2017

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

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RICHMOND has been vindicated for its aggressive off-season recruiting and new attacking game style, launching the new season at the MCG with a 43-point win over a young and brave 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 after an off-season of speculation on his future, spending more time in attack to finish with 33 possessions, four goals, six inside 50s and six clearances.

He relished the Tigers' new 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 additions of Butler and elevated rookie Jason Castagna gave the team a small and mobile forward line that applied pressure unlike the Tigers of recent seasons.

Their final tackle count of 88 (20 more than Carlton's 68) was more than the team had registered in any game last season.

"I thought our defensive press was really good tonight and I thought our pressure up forward was outstanding and certainly led to a number of scores from turnovers," coach Damien Hardwick said.

"I think we kicked 11 goals from forward-half turnovers, which is a number we haven't had for a long time.

"To see our forwards and mids put on the pressure they did, and our backs capture those errors was a great sight I think for our fans."

Hardwick promised to take his foot off the brakes this season and 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 entered the half-time break in disarray, but they 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), midfielder Bryce Gibbs (26 and seven), and ruckman Matthew Kreuzer (39 hit-outs and two goals).

Defender Caleb Marchbank kicked on from a strong pre-season to impress with 19 possessions and eight marks, positioning himself well in an under-siege backline.

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.

Defender Harrison Macreadie made his AFL debut as a late inclusion for Jed Lamb (knee soreness), as did ex-Giant Jarrod Pickett.

Blues keen to keep Weitering swinging

"We had five teenagers, about seven [players] under 21, and three debutants," coach Brendon Bolton said.

"You saw our future and they weren't totally intimidated.

"We've got to tidy up our ball use, as some turnovers hurt us the other way, but I think you saw our future."

MEDICAL ROOM

Carlton: Jacob Weitering received a knock to his hip in the opening minute but was able to play out the game and should be fine, according to Boltond. Jed Lamb, who was withdrawn late, had swelling in his knee but the coach confident he would only miss one match.

Richmond:
The Tigers escaped injury free, but recruit Josh Caddy did spend time on the sidelines getting attention to a calf. He also played out the match and Hardwick was not concerned.

NEXT UP

The Tigers return to the Thursday night stage to take on Collingwood in round two and will not want to be reminded of their one-point loss in the same fixture last year. Carlton takes on Melbourne at the MCG on April 2, giving them a 10-day break.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-03-23/match-report-tigers-cruise-to-victory-over-blues

[one-eyed]

Five talking points: Carlton v Richmond

AFL.com.au
March 24, 2017


1. Dusty's dazzling start
The recruitment of Dion Prestia and Josh Caddy to Richmond's midfield looks likely to have an immediate impact in a way that some may not have foreseen: the freeing up of star teammate Dustin Martin. Martin was best afield in his team's 43-point win over Carlton on Thursday night as he put in a dominant display through the midfield and in attack. The Tigers hope to use Martin more as a goalkicking option this year thanks to their beefed-up midfield brigade, and the early signs are that the brilliant ball-winner will be hard to stop wherever he plays. Martin kicked four goals and his 33 disposals were damaging. Punters who have already backed Martin for this year's Brownlow Medal would have been pleased with his opening effort in what was surely a performance worthy of three votes.

2. Fresh faces have a say

Despite the big occasion of the season-opening game, both clubs weren't afraid to blood fresh faces at the MCG. Carlton was particularly bold, bringing in three debutants – No.6 pick Sam Petrevski-Seton, former Giant Jarrod Pickett and defender Harrison Macreadie – to meet the Tigers. Macreadie was a late change, coming into the selected team to cover for Jed Lamb (knee). Petrevski-Seton was the most influential of the Carlton group, gathering 11 disposals in a smart display after an injury-interrupted pre-season. Richmond's first-gamer, Dan Butler, also had an impact on the game, collecting 18 disposals and booting two opening-quarter goals. He added some zip to their forward mix.

3. Dion's yellow and black debut
Richmond had to wait a long time to finally unveil big-name recruit Prestia, having been a strong chance to land his services right throughout the 2016 season. And he didn't fail to deliver in his first outing for the Tigers in the season proper. The former Gold Coast midfielder found 28 disposals for the Tigers and looked a class above Carlton's midfield. He also swept forward to kick a goal, and just added an important layer of polish to the Tigers' outfit. Fellow Richmond recruits Toby Nankervis and Josh Caddy also did their bit in the win as the Tigers showed off a more direct, attacking and exciting brand of football under coach Damien Hardwick.

4. Who will kick the Blues' goals?
That was one of several key questions surrounding the Blues heading into the season and although it wasn't exactly answered on Thursday night, we at least saw what their plan might be. Carlton coach Brendon Bolton used No.1 draft pick Jacob Weitering as their main forward option, and although quiet at times against All Australian defender Alex Rance, Weitering still kicked three goals despite being hobbled by a leg knock early into the game. It looks like being a young and inexperienced attack for Carlton throughout the season, but Jack Silvagni (two goals) showed some positive signs and Harry McKay will likely come into the side in coming weeks after a promising pre-season. If ruckman Matthew Kreuzer can chip in with two goals more often than not, like he did against Richmond, it will make things much easier on the Blues' batch of developing talls.

5. Carlton banner creates a stir
Carlton hasn't been the type of club over the past 18 months to foster too many big statements as it enters a long-term rebuild. Which made it perhaps more of a surprise to see that the Blues started their 2017 campaign with a cheeky message on their cheer squad banner. It read: 

Richmond's five year plan
has become a disaster
the vision impaired
like Dusty's barber

On FoxFooty's coverage of the game, former Sydney and Melbourne coach Paul Roos raised his eyebrows about the merits of a young team poking another with its banner. And in any case, if Martin did catch the pre-game message it didn't seem to concern him too much once the ball was bounced.   

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-03-23/five-talking-points-carlton-v-richmond