RICHMOND has had to dig deep to brush off a courageous Carlton comeback, holding on to claim a 33-point victory in Thursday night's season opener in front of 85,016 fans at the MCG, but the victory may have come at a high cost.

A suspected ACL injury to All Australian defender Alex Rance in the third term, which saw the 200-gamer carried from the field by trainers after clutching at his right knee, could have far-reaching ramifications for the Tigers’ premiership hopes.

Carlton trailed by a game-high 40 points at the start of the second quarter following a pre-season full of promise and a commitment to improve on the two wins it produced last year, and from there the Blues could have easily given up the ghost.

TIGERS TOO GOOD FOR BLUES Full match coverage and stats 

But their emphatic fightback, led by gun midfielder Patrick Cripps (32 disposals), No.1 draft pick Sam Walsh (24 disposals) and canny off-season acquisition Nic Newman, underlined their newfound desire to compete and be counted.

Richmond deserved the 14.13 (97) to 9.10 (64) win – its eighth in a row against its rivals, but Carlton coach Brendon Bolton's assertion the green shoots would sprout sooner rather than later could start to come to fruition in 2019 based on Thursday night's performance.

'I'M FALLING IN LOVE WITH THEM' Bolton praises Blues

The Tigers, though, were at their ferocious and brilliant best early in the contest, with marquee recruit Tom Lynch finding his feet in the yellow and black strip with two goals in the opening term.

While much of the focus was naturally veered towards how Lynch and reigning Coleman Medallist Jack Riewoldt would co-exist in the same forward line, Richmond's ability to be clean in congestion and set up effectively behind the footy, with a seventh defender in general play, was a key to its early advantage.

'IT'S A LITTLE BIT CLUNKY' Tigers forward line finds its feet

Tigers skipper Trent Cotchin epitomised his side's clean hands around the contest (31 disposals and six clearances), Bachar Houli accumulated 24 disposals without fuss in the back half, and Dustin Martin was solid, yet not spectacular, on his way to 30 touches and seven inside 50s.

Lynch finished with three goals from four kicks (he missed a set-shot in the final term), with Riewoldt booting one and having a hand in two others. Toby Nankervis also snagged three majors and highlighted his mobility around the ground.

Former Magpie Alex Fasolo finally booted Carlton's first goal at the seven-minute mark of the second term, with the Blues noticeably lifting their pressure around the ball and matching Richmond for contested possessions.

'IT'S LOOKING DIRE' Richmond expects the worst for Rance

Cripps was the standout, but the contributions of Walsh, Newman and Fisher (20 disposals and seven clearances) emphasised the Blues' improved depth. Key forward Harry McKay also showed promising signs with his movement around the ground, along with bagging two majors.

Carlton closed the margin to 10 points at the start of the last term, but ultimately ran out of legs in the final 15 minutes of the game.

MEDICAL ROOM

Carlton: The Blues appear to have escaped with a clean bill of health.

Richmond: Rance was carried from the field with a what looked to be a serious injury to his right knee. The trainers took him straight down to the rooms to be assessed. The star defender hobbled up the steps and to the bench with an ice pack on his right knee, but took no further part in the game and said after the final siren that "initial signs don't look too good". 

NEXT UP
Richmond will return to the home of football for a rematch against last year's preliminary final rival Collingwood. The Blues will travel to Adelaide Oval to take on Port Adelaide next Saturday evening.

CARLTON        0.1     4.4     8.8      9.10 (64)
RICHMOND    5.4     7.8    10.9    14.13 (97)

GOALS
Carlton: McKay 2, Fasolo, C.Curnow, McGovern, Murphy, Fisher, Thomas, Newman
Richmond: Higgins 3, Lynch 3, Nankervis 3, Balta, Riewoldt, McIntosh, Butler, Weller 

BEST
Carlton: Cripps, Newman, Fisher, Murphy, Thomas, Setterfield, McKay
Richmond: Cotchin, Higgins, Houli, Nankervis, Lambert, Graham, Martin 

INJURIES
Carlton: Nil
Richmond: Rance (knee) 

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Meredith, Findlay, Fleer

Official crowd: 85,016 at the MCG