Richmond defeats Carlton by nine points at MCG in Round 1, 2016

THE sigh of relief could be heard all the way down Swan St and back again as Richmond took the four points against Carlton, but that’s all it took.

Richmond v Carlton, at the M.C.G. 24th March, Melbourne Australia. Richmond's Dustin Martin with the fend off Picture : George Salpigtidis

THE sigh of relief could be heard all the way down Swan St and back again.

Richmond took the four points against Carlton, but that’s all it took.

Correction, the Tigers took a bludgeoning from the Blues for three-and-a-half quarters and after a pulsating season-opener, only just escaped with their reputation intact.

HARDWICK: WE WERE PRETTY LUCKY

BOLTON: DEFEAT A MISSED OPPORTUNITY FOR BLUES

To be blunt, a Richmond side chasing silverware this season was given heart palpitations by another which finished 2015 as a wooden spoon laughing stock.

The final score was 14.8 (92) to 12.11 (83), with Richmond’s polish at the death and Carlton’s late clangers under fatigue proving the tiniest difference between these two sides.

The Blues led by nine points early in the last quarter and had a chance to send Richmond into panic mode, but a shank attempt from Sam Kerridge and another from straight in front by Levi Casboult gave the Tigers the lifeline they grabbed.

Richmond kicked four of the last five goals of the match, with Sam Lloyd and Jack Riewoldt briefly coming to life at the vital moment, to edge past a dramatically-improved Carlton.

Brendan Bolton’s Blues just kept coming at Richmond, ignoring expectations, predictions and everything else in an MCG cauldron holding 75,706 screaming fans.

The Tigers’ blundering attempts to hold them off — regardless of their absentees — won’t convince anyone they can take the next step that their fans so desperately craved.

There was simply so much to like about Carlton.

The Blues had 45 more disposals, narrowly lost contested ball, won contested ball by 50, had 11 more inside 50s and one more scoring shot.

Daniel Rioli and Jacob Townsend celebrate their first wins in Richmond colours. Picture: Wayne Ludbey.

And the Blues’ press was irresistible. It shocked Richmond and then forced them back and when it didn’t force them back it gave them nowhere to go.

Carlton forced a staggering 37 turnovers in its forward half — the most in a Carlton game since 2002. The reset might have already become a resurgence. There is system and there is organisation.

With the ball they are a different outfit, spreading with intent and scything through the corridor with dare and dash. It was thrilling to watch.

The big three — Marc Murphy, Bryce Gibbs and Patrick Cripps — were prolific.

Murphy made a mockery of a supposed lack of preparation, coming in off no NAB Challenge games to accumulate 27 possessions, six inside 50s and six tackles in a lion-hearted performance.

Bryce Gibbs walks off the MCG after the loss. Picture: Colleen Petch.

His workrate was incredible.

Gibbs, so ordinary in 2015, had 30 and seven tackles. Cripps had a game-high 17 contested possessions and Kade Simpson gave endless drive.

Matthew Wright kicked three goals in the third quarter in his Carlton debut, Blaine Boekhorst is a different player, Nick Graham is thriving with the opportunity and Jacob Weitering had 18 touches and seven marks — three contested — in a sublime debut.

A blunt attack and that final kick inside 50m will be the recurring weakness this season, but when it clicked Richmond felt the heat.

The Tigers were missing Ivan Maric, Brett Deledio, Shaun Grigg and Reece Conca and the glass half-full verdict is that good sides win ugly.

But Damien Hardwick would have gone to sleep well aware there is a stack to work on. The coach shook his head more often than a robotic clown at the local carnival.

Trent Cotchin was quiet, Brandon Ellis at half-back was a fail and they collectively coughed the ball up all night until the last 10 minutes.

Carlton is hunting now, but Richmond escaped. Not everyone will.

RICHMOND 14.8 (92)

CARLTON 12.11 (83)

GOALS

Richmond: Vickery 3, Menadue 2, Riewoldt 2, Lloyd 2, Lambert, Edwards, Vlastuin, C. Ellis, Miles

Carlton: Wright 3, Everitt 2, Lamb, Gibbs, Kreuzer, Murphy, Cripps, Phillips, Walker

INJURIES

Richmond: Nil

Carlton: Nil

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Stevic, Fleer, Mitchell

Crowd: 75,706 at the MCG