How Carlton’s midfield bulls launched stunning fightback against Richmond
When Carlton needed a saviour against Richmond, Patrick Cripps put the Blues on his back. These are the numbers which prove the inspirational skipper is back to his best.
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Michael Voss marched towards his midfield bulls at three quarter-time and asked them to “go to work at centre bounce”.
Clearly Adam Cerra, Patrick Cripps, Matthew Kennedy, George Hewett and Tom De Koning were listening.
Carlton won every centre clearance in the last quarter and used that field position to slam on the last seven goals.
Voss believes premierships are powered by contest strength and it has taken just one summer to pack muscle into his midfield.
“I don’t think you can have a game without being good at the contested part of the ground,” Voss said.
“That’s where it starts, for me. Pressure on the ball, how we handle ourselves, how we absorb heat.
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“It starts there. Unless you’re able to provide that within your team the other parts of your system can fall apart really, really quickly.”
The pick of the clearance lot was when Richmond trio Toby Nankervis, Liam Baker and Jack Graham all crashed into Cripps at once.
It was bees to a honey pot … but Cripps absorbed the heat, freed an am and fired off a handball to a mate on the outside.
The Blues had low kick and high handball numbers around the contest, searching for a player in space by flicking it around first.
According to Richmond coach Damien Hardwick it was Western Bulldogs-like, the club which won the 2016 flag on the back of a revolutionary handball game taught at Handball Club.
Former Carlton coach David Teague, who is now at the Tigers, rubbed his eyes in disbelief at the midfield flex.
“They’re big boys,” Hardwick said.
“Cripps, Kennedy … it’s funny, I was speaking to Teaguey about it, all of a sudden they bring in Cerra and Hewett – incredible athletes who cover the ground really well.
“It’s similar to the re-emergence of bringing in (Josh) Caddy, Nankervis and (Dion) Prestia.
“All of a sudden you bring in a whole new midfield.”
That whole-new midfield was unstoppable for the whole of the last quarter.
The Blues won contested ball by 21 (best since round 16, 2020), clearances by 18 (best since round 19, 2019) and inside 50s by 24 (round 13, 2020).
Hardwick tried all of Nankervis, Ivan Soldo and Noah Balta in the ruck but none of them could blunt the burst.
Carlton sweated through a summer program that Voss said was designed to “build their bodies”.
“It’s not just running faster or running longer. It’s how we train,” he said.
Fox Footy expert Leigh Montagna said Carlton’s midfield had expanded from Batman and Robin (Cripps and Sam Walsh) to The Avengers.
Recruits Cerra (Fremantle) and Hewett (Sydney) are already big ticks for list boss Nick Austin while Kennedy – a first-round pick in 2015 – has suddenly become the stoppage star talent experts tipped he would.
Kennedy’s 37 disposals and 2.2 against Melbourne in pre-season was backed up with 33 disposals and 1.2 against Richmond.
“He’s demanded a position,” Voss said.
Walsh (syndesmosis) is racing to return and complete the set after missing the first AFL game of his sparkling career.
As for Cripps, it’s as if he’s gone from Batman to Superman.
Last year Cripps averaged just 251m gained.
Against Melbourne it was 535m and against Richmond it was a career-high 680m … not to mention seven goals in those two games.
The skipper is surging the ball forward and that’s a far more damaging threat for other teams.
Cripps was best-on-ground against the Tigers but knows he can get better, joking that his only three good kicks went through the sticks and he would have to hit the track early next week to sharpen up.
Long-suffering Blues fans must’ve pondered making an early exit when Shai Bolton restored Richmond’s lead to 20 points in the final term.
How many times had teases turned to disappointment as runs of goals routinely went the other way and rarely theirs?
But this time things were different, the goal spree theirs to saviour.
The Blues extracted belief from their pre-season win against Melbourne, although Cerra said they were “punched in the face” in the first quarter on Thursday night.
The message Voss ran out with his team trailing by 20 points was oddly refreshing – stick at it.
“In previous years we’ve probably tried to change a bit,” Weitering revealed.
“It might be line-ups (or) it might be strategy. But we just kept on doing what we do best and that’s put pressure on the source of the ball.”
It wasn’t Harry McKay or Charlie Curnow’s night but it barely mattered.
Their little sidekicks helped the Blues lay 14 tackles inside 50 to Richmond’s one, helping lock the ball in.
Weitering’s defence pressed high up the ground and praised the midfield for leaving them with little work to do in that final quarter.
Cripps – who enjoyed his first ever win against Richmond – said the “off-field connection has gone to a new level under Voss”.
That was evident post-match.
The VFL Blues filed into the MCG rooms to join the celebrations, having pounded Richmond by 77 points after leading by 110 in the last quarter.
“It’s a signature win for the club,” Voss said.
“At some stage we’ll put into place where it belongs, but at this particular moment it’s a very important win for us.”
FROM TEARS TO TRIUMPH: INSPIRING DOC’S BLUE HEAVEN
Sam Docherty broke down in tears walking around a park on Thursday morning before his second comeback from cancer turned into the night of his life.
New Carlton coach Michael Voss loaded up on midfield grunt as Patrick Cripps, Matthew Kennedy, Adam Cerra and George Hewett bullied Richmond with a last-quarter onslaught that transformed hopes for long-suffering supporters.
The Blues won 30 of the final 34 inside 50s as a 20-point deficit against Richmond morphed into a 10-point lead in seven heavenly minutes in the final quarter.
Blues players drew enormous belief from their pre-season win against premier Melbourne, fuelling hope they could win their first round 1 game against the Tigers in a decade.
But it was Docherty’s night and the inspirational star booted his first goal in five years in what was the crowning moment of an emotional night.
“I went for a walk this morning and ended up listening to music and nearly crying walking around the park,” Docherty, 28, said after the win.
“Some people walking around the park thought I looked like an idiot.
“It’s been a massive week. I’m pretty tired, I’m not going to lie.”
Docherty was mobbed by every teammate in a goal celebration that will live forever as a cherished football moment, which gave Australian of the Year Dylan Alcott “goosebumps”.
“I don’t kick many to be honest,” Docherty said.
“I think the footy gods were in my favour. The boys, the way they reacted, it’s going to be a memory that will stick for a long time.
“(I’m) representing a large cohort of people that are going through a tough time and understand the significance of that.
“Honestly I didn’t think I would be here to be honest. Hard work paid off.”
Docherty (26 disposals) embraced Cripps, Adam Saad and Zac Williams after the final siren and received a loud applause from the MCG crowd of 72,179 after both his first possession and one in the final quarter.
Richmond lost Dion Prestia to a hamstring injury and its cool, conceding eight 50m penalties that directly cost four goals.
Coach Damien Hardwick was so angry at his club’s ill-discipline in 2020 that 50m culprits had to change Trent Cotchin’s baby’s nappy in the hub.
Jack Graham was the worst offender, flicking the ball Richmond’s way when the free kick was actually paid to George Hewett because the umpire pinged Shane Edwards for kicking in danger.
Hewett goaled before the sweetest strike of Jack Martin’s life pushed the Blues in front.
Graham then gave up a double 50m penalty, gifting Adam Cerra his first goal as a Blue to seal the match.
Prestia, 29, has played just 19 games since winning the 2019 best-and-fairest and will miss next week’s clash against GWS.
It’s also understood Nick Vlastuin’s hamstring injury is on the severe side, with the defender unlikely to be seen for a month.
Jack Riewoldt also suffered a suspected fractured thumb which may require surgery.
Richmond’s 31 tackles was its fewest since 2015.
North Melbourne’s Ben Cunnington, who had a similar medical fight to Docherty, paid tribute to the former captain.
“Congratulations on your comeback game,” Cunnington said.
“An inspiration to so many, including myself. Just want to thank you for your full support towards me and my family.”
Perfect start: Voss era up and running
Ronny Lerner
A sensational final-quarter Carlton comeback has kicked the Michael Voss era off in momentous fashion as the Blues finally snapped their early-season losing streak to Richmond at the MCG.
When Shai Bolton booted his third goal early in the fourth term to put the Tigers up by 20 points, it looked like the script was going the same way it had done for the previous nine years — a Richmond victory.
But after losing nine consecutive round 1 and 2 meetings in a row to the Tigers, as part of a record 11-game losing run to their bitter rivals, the Blues weren’t going to cop it anymore.
A withering eight-minute burst which produced five goals in a row put Carlton back up by 10 points in the seesawing encounter, which featured dramatic momentum swings.
The ascendancy changed hands on a quarterly basis with 21 of the game’s 25 goals kicked to the City End.
And in front, the Blues would stay. They ended up kicking the last seven goals to emphatically break their Richmond hoodoo by 25 points, toppling the Tigers 14.17 (101) to 11.10 (76)
Carlton captain Patrick Cripps was outstanding with 30 disposals (12 contested), eight clearances and three goals while new recruits Adam Cerra and George Hewett were huge in the final quarter, ensuring the absence of Sam Walsh (ankle) wasn’t too keenly felt. Sentimental favourite Sam Docherty was crucial in his comeback game after beating cancer for the second time, and Matthew Kennedy was pivotal as well.
The result was further soured for Richmond, which lost Dion Prestia early in the second quarter due to a hamstring injury.
At that stage he was Richmond’s leading ball winner with 10.
Jack Riewoldt suffered a suspected fractured thumb which may need surgery.
The turnaround in the final term was breathtaking as Carlton completely overwhelmed Richmond, comprehensively winning the disposals 91-44, contested possessions 40-19, clearances 17-1, inside 50s 21-2 and kicking 7.3 to 1.1 as Richmond ground to a halt.
In the end, Carlton won the disposals 360-300, contested possessions 133-112, clearances 40-21 and inside 50s 63-40.
The Blues fell 20 points behind on two occasions — at quarter-time and early in the final term. They had a similarly dominant second term, but could only manage a wayward 4.6 and failed to put Richmond away when they had the chance.
The Tigers made Carlton pay for their wastefulness and when they kicked seven of the next nine goals, it looked like the result was going to go Richmond’s way yet again.
But that happened under Malthouse, Bolton and Teague.
Voss’s Blues look to be made of sterner stuff.
McGOVERN ALREADY AT HOME
Mitch McGovern is getting the hang of this defensive thing. Early in the second term he played a huge role in turning tide in Carlton’s favour by setting up two Cripps goals in the space of four minutes.
In the first instance he took a massive mark over Ivan Soldo on the wing which set up a chain of possessions that led to Cripps’ first major.
The second one came as a result of him receiving a 50m penalty at centre half-back from that man again Soldo, before drilling the pass to Cripps who finished the deal from 45m out in front.
TIGERS COSTLY ILL-DISCIPLINE
Richmond gave away an eye-watering eight 50m penalties to Carlton, three of which led directly to goals from Docherty, Hewett and Cerra.
The Cerra goal was particularly galling as it came courtesy of a double 50m penalty from Jack Graham that brought the former Docker from the wing to within goalkicking range, and ended the contest.
OUT OF THE BLUE
Richmond v Carlton
Rd 1 2022: Carl by 25
Rd 1 2021: Rich by 25
Rd 1 2020: Rich by 24
Rd 21 2019: Rich by 28
Rd 1 2019: Rich by 33
Rd 1 2018: Rich by 26
Rd 14 2017: Rich by 26
Rd 1 2017: Rich by 43
Rd 1 2016: Rich by 9
Rd 15 2015: Rich by 30
Rd 1 2015: Rich by 27
Rd 2 2014: Rich by 12
EF 2013: Carl by 20
SCOREBOARD
BLUES 1.3, 5.9, 7.12, 14.17 (101)
TIGERS 4.5, 4.7, 10.9, 11.10 (76)
LERNER’S BEST
Blues: Cripps, Kennedy, Cerra, Hewett, Docherty, Weitering, McGovern.
Tigers: Bolton, Tarrant, Grimes, Martin, Short.
GOALS
Blues: Cripps 3, Durdin 2, Kennedy, Docherty, McKay, Silvagni, Hewett, Martin, Fisher, O’Brien, Cerra.
Tigers: Bolton 3, Lynch 2, Balta 2, Baker, Aarts, Riewoldt, Martin.
INJURIES
Blues: Nil.
Tigers: Prestia (hamstring), Riewoldt (thumb).
UMPIRES
Rosebury, Gavine, Williamson
VENUE
MCG
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
LERNER’S VOTES
3 P.Cripps (Carl)
2 M.Kennedy (Carl)
1 A.Cerra (Carl)
Tiger lodges contract demand as new deal looms
Richmond best-and-fairest winner Jayden Short is closing in on a long-term contract extension as his management and the club haggle on the finances of his free agency deal.
Short’s management has put in a proposal to the Tigers that would keep brilliant attacking defender Short at Richmond and is waiting for the club’s counteroffer.
While the two parties will still need to come to a financial arrangement the Herald Sun understands he has pledged his future to Richmond and is negotiating exclusively with the Tigers.
Short is one of the best players in a thin 2022 free agency market and if he chose to explore his options could receive as much as $750,000 a season.
But his manager Anthony McConville told the Herald Sun Short was prepared to play for a contract that would allow the Tigers to keep their list together while still being fairly rewarded.
“We have given Richmond a really fair proposal. We are not too far apart. At the end of the day Jayden wants to stay but it’s also about getting the right deal that is appropriate for a best-and-fairest player and potential All Australian. We think we have been more than reasonable,” said McConville, of Mac’s Sports Promotions.
“We think a deal should get done based on what has been proposed but at the end of the day the ball is in Richmond’s court.”
While line-breaking half backs on the open market like Carlton’s Zac Williams can secure prices of up to $800,000 it is believed his salary would be well short of that figure.
Richmond’s Nick Vlastuin signed a five-year contract last March that handed him security through to 2026 rather than massive dollars, with the star defender happy to accept less to remain.
Richmond still has salary cap room to afford Dustin Martin and Tom Lynch, who will both be on well over $1 million in coming seasons given Lynch’s seven-year deal is back-ended.
If Trent Cotchin and Jack Riewoldt retire at season’s end the club would have money and inclination to attempt to secure an established midfielder in a trade after taking five early selections in last November’s draft.
But Cotchin has just had one of his best pre-seasons in many years and if Riewoldt continues his rich vein of form he would likely go on into 2023.
Both players have taken pay cuts in recent years to allow the club to retain elite talent.
Ruckman Ivan Soldo had some interest from rival clubs including the Western Bulldogs coming off last year’s ACL recovery but signed a three-year contract through to 2024 last September.
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