Goalkickers: Betts 3, Garlett 2, Walker 2, Armfield, Carrazzo, Curnow, Gibbs, Hampson, Judd & Murphy 1.

Reports: Nil

Umpires: M. Nicholls, B. Rosebury, M. Stevic

Injuries: Waite (concussion)

Ladder: Third - 4 points, percentage 123.81

Game Review

For the third year in a row, Carlton and Richmond kicked off the AFL season with this Thursday night blockbuster at the MCG. Having destroyed the Tigers by an average of ten goals in each of their four previous encounters, the Navy Blues were seen as red-hot favourites. But these were different teams, and after a dominant first half, the wayward-kicking Baggers were overhauled by a resurgent and deadly-accurate Richmond in the third term. A huge upset loomed, until Carlton’s rucks and midfield – led by our inspirational captain Chris Judd - re-exerted their authority and dug deep to clinch victory over a spent Richmond by 20 points.

At the selection table prior to the match, Carlton couldn’t consider key defenders Michael Jamison and Paul Bower, due to suspension and injury respectively. They were replaced by first-gamers Jeremy Laidler and Nick Duigan, in one of the least-experienced Carlton defensive combinations in recent memory. Also making his AFL debut was well-travelled ex-Box Hill midfielder Ed Curnow, whose pre-season form had won him a place on Carlton’s list as our nominated rookie.

In another significant moment for trivia buffs, emerging second-year prospect Kane Lucas earned himself a place in the game’s history when he was selected as Carlton’s first-ever substitute player. Under a revision to the rules of the game for 2011, a substitute was to be included on the reserves bench, but was only allowed on to the field when a team-mate was injured or replaced for tactical reasons. As things turned out, Lucas did not have long to wait.

After Carlton burst out onto the ground through a banner celebrating popular mid-fielder Heath Scotland’s 200th game, Richmond captain Chris Newman won the toss. From then on, it was all Carlton for the first half, despite some frustratingly inaccurate shooting for goal. Midway through the second quarter, a clash behind the play saw Carlton’s most versatile player; Jarrad Waite, forced from the field by concussion, and his absence was to prove crucial. While Lucas was an adequate replacement, Waite’s absence robbed the team of flexibility, and indirectly allowed Richmond’s star full-forward Jack Riewoldt to spearhead the Tiger revival. Incidentally, an extensive history of various substitute and interchange roles is explored in a Blueseum exclusive article, available here

Riewoldt kicked six goals in a fine solo effort, and only a lack of opportunities in the last quarter prevented him from being Richmond’s match-winner. On the other hand, Carlton’s victory was built on the ruck dominance of Robbie Warnock and Shaun Hampson, who gave best on ground Marc Murphy (31 possessions), Bryce Gibbs (29), Mitch Robinson (29), Chris Judd (25) and the impressive Curnow (24) first use of the ball when it counted most. Eddie Betts was the Blues’ most effective forward, with three clever, opportunist goals. By doing so, Eddie became the leading indigenous goal-kicker in Carlton’s history, and was presented with the match ball by the previous record holder; Syd Jackson, in the rooms after the game.

With his second 6-pointer in the match, Andrew Walker brought up the 1100th VFL/AFL goal to be kicked by a player wearing Carlton's senior guernsey number 1. Making his Carlton and AFL debut at 26 years and 197 days old, Nick Duigan became one of the few Blues to play his first game for Carlton past the age of 26. After Duigan, the most recent to do this was Trent Hotton (aged 26 years, 102 days old in Round 1, 2000, against Brisbane at Princes Park). The only others since World War II have been John Brown, Max Wenn, Bert Thornley, Tony Southcombe and Peter Kenny.

Among the best players for Richmond was ex-Blue Shaun Grigg, making his debut in yellow and black after 43 games at Princes Park.

This was the first time that Blues fielded five players of indigenous origin in the same team when it named Eddie Betts, Andrew Walker, Chris Yarran, Jeffery Garlett and debutant Ed Curnow.

Team

Milestones

Debuts: Ed Curnow, Nick Duigan
Debut (Carlton): Jeremy Laidler
200 Games (AFL): Heath Scotland
First Goal: Ed Curnow

Brownlow Votes

3. Marc Murphy, Carlton
2. Jack Riewoldt, Richmond
1. Bryce Gibbs, Carlton

Best & Fairest Votes

Marc Murphy 40, Chris Judd 32, Mitch Robinson 31, Kade Simpson 31, Bryce Gibbs 30, Ed Curnow 29, Eddie Betts 18, Robert Warnock 17, Jeremy Laidler 16, Andrew Walker 5

Ladder