Angwin, who has battled shoulder problems throughout his short career to date, appeared to again dislocate his right shoulder during the third quarter in the Blues’ 35-point win over Richmond after crashing heavily following a marking contest.
His latest setback even overshadowed another dominant display from Richmond spearhead Matthew Richardson, who followed up his seven goal haul against Brisbane last week with six goals against the Blues.
Angwin’s latest injury problem came at a time when the 21-year-old was again showing how much potential he does possess.
Angwin, who spent time with both the Box Hill Hawks and Adelaide as he battled off-field problems, played four games for the Blues last season and despite further off-field problems since moving to Optus Oval he was retained on the club’s rookie list this season.
He has also suffered previous injuries to both shoulders but before this latest setback on Friday again underlined his potential as a top line AFL player by helping to inspire the Blues’ second quarter comeback.
Carlton coach Denis Pagan was pleased with his side’s win and in particular the contribution of Angwin before adding he did not think his injury was serious.
“He (Angwin) was terrific when he came on and no-one has every doubted his talent and capabilities,” Pagan said.
“We don’t think it (his injury) is serious.”
“He might have bruised it, we will have a scan on it but it’s happened before like that – where it has pulled up sore and then he is all right in a couple of days.”
The agile 200cm forward kicked two goals in the first half and had a hand in two others in the second term as the Blues overcame a dominant Richardson inspired first quarter from the Tigers.
Richardson booted four goals in the first term as the Tigers jumped to an early three goal lead and they stretched that lead to 23 points early in the second term when Andrew Krakouer goaled at the two minute mark.
But Richmond’s next goal did not come until the four minute mark of the third term – again from Richardson – during which time the Blues slammed on eight unanswered goals.
In the absence of spearhead Brendan Fevola, who was suspended for this match by his club after missing training during the week following a night out at Crown Casino, the Blues had a new-look forward line and they certainly delivered.
As well as the efforts of Angwin, the Blues would be excited with the form of 21-year-old Adrian Deluca, who looks set to make his AFL debut in a fortnight following this performance.
The former Port Melbourne VFL player booted three goals and along with Brad Fisher and a dominant Scott Camporeale, he troubled a Richmond defence that was missing Andrew Kellaway while Darren Gaspar was rested after half-time.
The Tigers were also without Greg Stafford, Mark Coughlan and Greg Tivendale but apart from the efforts of Richardson and an improved performance from Adam Houlihan, there was little to be excited about for Richmond fans after the side’s promising opening as the Tigers crashed to their third straight pre-season loss following their first round Wizard Cup win over the Bulldogs.
Pagan was pleased with the efforts of Deluca, who he said has now given himself a great chance of breaking into the senior side for the round one clash against Fremantle in Perth.
“I was pleased for Deluca, he has kicked three goals and he has put pressure on everybody,” Pagan said.
Richmond coach Danny Frawley warned not too much should be made of another Tigers’ pre-season loss considering the players the club chose to rest.
“I wouldn’t take too much into it,’ he said.
“We had a few guys who played a lot of footy and they had some general soreness so it was an opportunity for them to train this morning and then not have the buffeting of the game.”
And Frawley said the decision to only play Gaspar for a half, rest Kellaway and then to lose Ray Hall early on with a corked thigh also left the Tigers short for height and quality down back.
But he was thrilled with the form of Richardson, who dominated for a second successive week.
“His form suggests he is going to have a ripper season for us,” Frawley said.
CARLTON: 4.3, 11.8, 12.15, 19.17 (131)
RICHMOND: 7.2 8.4, 12.7, 14.12 (96)
GOALS: Carlton: Deluca 3, Fisher 3, Angwin 2, Lappin 2, Camporeale 2, Harford 2, Bannister, Sporn, Kenna, Morrell, Clarke.
Richmond: Richardson 6, Morrison, Fleming, Houlihan, Krakouer, Bowden, Brown. Tuck, Weller
BEST: Carlton: Camporeale, Lappin, Deluca, Fisher, Angwin, Harford.
Richmond: Richardson, Rodan, Bowden, Houlihan, Krakouer.
INJURIES: Carlton: Angwin (shoulder).
Richmond: Nil.
REPORTS: Nil.
CROWD: Est 4,000 at Optus Oval.
