Richmond has grown used to losing these games, so the relief on Thursday night was palpable. After nine straight losses to Carlton, including the last four in the now traditional season opening blockbuster, another would have been crushing in these circumstances. The Tigers responded when challenged in the third quarter, and they hung on dearly in the fourth, notching the club's first round one win since 2008. The roar is back and the challenge of playing finals for the first time since 2001 has been set.
2. An unlikely hero
It was a desperate tackle from Luke McGuane on young Blue Josh Bootsma that finally settled the seesawing match. Carlton kicked all five goals in the final term and drew within four points with one minute remaining. The Tigers couldn't get their hands on the footy and seemed destined for yet another heartbreaking loss before McGuane wrapped up Bootsma. "Lucky I got a hand on him and was able to drag him in," McGuane told AFL.com.au post-match. "I just tried to equalise numbers and then he tried to take me on."
3. Old leader shows the way
Carlton's fightback was led by Chris Judd in his first game since handing the captaincy to Marc Murphy. In fact, it was Judd's first game without the burden of captaincy since 2005 when he was a West Coast Brownlow medallist. The champion midfielder won 14 possessions and kicked two goals in the second half, with the Blues kicking eight of the last 10 goals. New skipper Murphy finished with 19 disposals and two goals, but let himself down with a poor tackle attempt on Daniel Jackson in the second quarter.
4. Fast start? No thanks.
Kicking the first three goals of the game is not the path to success so far in round one. Adelaide kicked the opening three goals against Essendon before losing last Friday night, and West Coast got off to a flyer with the first three against Fremantle last Saturday, eventually losing the Derby. Goals to Shaun Hampson, Eddie Betts and Marc Murphy had the Blues buoyed halfway through the first quarter, but they wouldn't kick another until late in the second term when the Tigers had built a 36-point lead.
5. Concussion sub
The AFL had its first concussion sub case when Carlton midfielder Mitch Robinson collided with Ty Vickery late in the second quarter. Robinson was taken to the rooms for assessment, with the Blues activating sub Aaron Joseph immediately. Under the new rule Carlton could have sent Robinson back out within 20 minutes and placed Joseph back in the green vest. As it turned out, Robinson was substituted out for good at half time. Richmond, meanwhile, waited until the ninth minute of the fourth quarter to activate Robin Nahas.
