CARLTON has started the 2009 season on a formidable note, thrashing Richmond by 83 points in front of a near-capacity crowd at the MCG on Thursday night.
The build-up to the match, largely centred around the return to elite-level football of Tiger recruit Ben Cousins, reached fever pitch.
And it took a very cruel tumble early in the fourth quarter when the Brownlow Medallist hobbled from the field with a serious hamstring tear.
Consider too that it was Cousins' former West Coast captain, now Carlton skipper, Chris Judd who had close to the greatest influence on the 23.12 (150) to 9.13 (67) result.
Carlton suggested in its run to the NAB Cup semi-finals that it was one of the competition's big improvers and, despite fielding four first-gamers, completely dominated the lop-sided encounter from late in the first term.
Before 86,972 patrons, a home-and-away record for a match between these two teams, the Blues were led by Judd (23 touches), Marc Murphy (28) Jarrad Waite (three goals), Ryan Houlihan (29), Eddie Betts (five goals) and collected debutant Mitch Robinson (three goals).
Stand-outs for Richmond were few, though Mitch Morton (four goals) was a constant threat in attack, Andrew Raines worked hard from half-back before his night was ended by a knee injury, Richard Tambling was courageous in the contests and Daniel Jackson did a reasonable tagging job on Judd in the first quarter.
The Blues extended their lead at every change, assembling one of their most comprehensive performances under coach Brett Ratten.
Somewhat vulnerable in the absence of the suspended Nick Stevens and injured pair Andrew Carrazzo and Shaun Grigg, the Blues' confidence swelled with every minute that passed.
Robinson created headaches from the first quarter and added to Carlton's forward pressure, while Michael Jamison and Bret Thornton were solid on Jack Riewoldt and Jay Schulz in defence.
But it was Waite who broke the game open, starting the game on a wing alongside Richmond veteran Matthew Richardson (25 possessions) and making the most of his opponent's defensive lapses.
Richmond's defence seemed to haemorrhage when Carlton ventured inside 50 and skill errors in the back half created so many of the Blues' scores.
Even some of the Tigers' most reliable players, including captain Chris Newman (23 possessions), midfielder Nathan Foley (31) and the experienced Joel Bowden (15), struggled to find targets.
At times it was simply embarrassing.
The Tigers had started the game well, with two goals to Morton answering majors to Waite and Robinson, and looked to set the early tone.
But the Blues kicked six of the game's next seven goals, four of those generating a 30-point lead at the first break.
Ratten's decision to take Brendan Fevola from the field after conceding a free kick paid dividends too, with the burly full-forward finding his second goal – mid-air – to open the new quarter and having a hand in others.
When Waite kicked his third on Richardson the margin was 42 points and, though Richmond's full-field pressure cut it back to 28 and created a third goal for Morton, Judd and Simon Wiggins rounded out the half and a 40-point lead.
Any hope of a Tiger comeback was extinguished in the opening minute of the third term when a 50-metre penalty against Raines gifted Robinson his third goal.
Realising their fate, the lifeless Tigers disintegrated.
Judd kicked his second in trademark classy fashion off a pack and Betts, whose defensive pressure was superb all night, added three more for the term to steer Carlton 59 points clear at the final change.
As Richmond went through the motions in the final term, including the injuries to Cousins and Raines, the Blues showed little mercy.
Murphy kicked two to complete his night and Carlton surged to a victory sure to intimidate next week's opponent, the Brisbane Lions.
For Richmond, it's back to the drawing board ahead of a Skilled Stadium clash with Geelong.
Richmond 3.4 6.7 8.10 9.13 (67)
Carlton 8.4 13.5 18.9 23.12 (150)
GOALS
Richmond: Morton 4, Richardson, Riewoldt, Schulz, Simmonds, Tambling
Carlton: Betts 5, Robinson 3, Waite 3, Fevola 2, Judd 2, Murphy 2, Wiggins 2, Russell, Garlett, Kreuzer, Hadley
BEST
Richmond: Morton, Raines, Foley, Tambling
Carlton: Waite, Judd, Murphy, Wiggins, Robinson, Kreuzer, Betts, Gibbs, Houlihan
INJURIES
Richmond: Cousins (hamstring), Raines (knee)
Carlton: Nil
Reports: Simpson (Carlton) reported by field umpire Vozzo for making forceful front-on contact on Jackson (Richmond) in the first quarter
Umpires: Donlon, Vozzo, McLaren
Official crowd: 86,972 at the MCG
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
