Richmond went down to Carlton by five points in Thursday's curtain-raiser practice match at the Swinburne Centre.
Both sides showed why they look to be in for a fruitful season; however, the Blues edged passed their hosts late in the final term to secure the comeback win.
Carlton set up its win with a seven-goal third term and iced it with four goals in the last quarter, the final score reading 12.14 (86) to 12.9 (81).
Richmond led by as much as six goals throughout the game and by two goals in the dying minutes.
The Tigers were forced to defend for large portions of the opening eight minutes.
They then slingshot the ball from the northern end through link and dare, as well as adherence to role, as Samson Ryan provided the aerial power and Lachlan Johnson the class for the first goal of the evening.
Misilifi Faimalo’s proved to be a human battering ram, after a sensational tackle in the first quarter.
Faimalo stormed onto the ground, weaved his way through traffic and steamrolled his navy-blue counterpart and was justly rewarded with a free-kick for incorrect disposal. After finding space inside 50, he then coolly slotted Richmond’s second major.
Ryan proved a strong focal point and was rewarded late in the quarter with his opening goal, following a forward-50 intercept by Judson Clarke.
The Tigers looked most damaging when the ball was in constant motion and were able to get in behind the Carlton defensive unit to create dangerous space and capitalise.
Noah Cumberland was energetic and industrious forward of centre, sinking his left foot into the Sherrin for the first goal of the second term, moments after the restart.
Kaelan Bradtke used his tall frame to his advantage, positioning it between the goal mouth and his Carlton defender to clutch a strong contested mark and kick truly for Richmond’s fifth.
The Blues hit back soon after via the right boot of Paddy Dow, before crafty forward Harrison White was found on the lead by Angus Hicks.
White has been in goalkicking form this pre-season and carried that into this clash, easing through his set-shot on a 45-degree angle.
Ryan took his goal tally to two for the first half, with a classy goal from the paint of 50.
The emerging key forward was sent across Yarra Park to the MCG after the first half as a precautionary carryover for the AFL clash.
Hugo Ralphsmith was his bounding self off half-back, and had company with first-year Tiger, Steely Green riding shot gun.
Green's determination certainly matches his name, as he continually mopped up any loose ball in his vicinity, sending it back Richmond’s way.
The Tigers took a 35-point lead into the main break as the faithful started to line the fences.
Tyler Sonsie opened the third term like he was shot out of a cannon, willing himself from contest-to-contest, showcasing his quick hands and mind.
Carlton made inroads on the scoreboard after half-time, slamming on four goals on the trot in ten minutes, slicing the margin to 13 points.
Ralphsmith, Sonsie and Clarke fought and scrapped on the half-forward flank to win the ball back off the Blues, with Clarke caressing the ball to Fraser Elliot in the corridor.
Elliot was escorted inside-50 following a 50-metre penalty and slotted the goal against the tide.
Thomson Dow exuded the presence of a fourth-year midfielder, adding his name to the scoresheet with Richmond’s ninth goal - its second consecutive from a 50-metre penalty.
Dow has rubber-band like agility in traffic, which he’s now coupled with a frame that allows him to remain on his feet, even after heavy contact.
Carlton ended the quarter as it started, with three-goal burst, shrinking the margin to just three points by the final change.
Dow, of the Blue variety, jagged his fourth goal swiftly in the last quarter, handing Carlton a three-point lead.
Richmond answered back immediately after some intelligent crumbing by Faimalo, which led to White snapping his second.
Sam Banks burnt his own track on the wing last year and went about the same on Thursday, ever-present in assisting the Tigers’ defensive unit or driving the ball deep into attack.
Banks was shifted back in the last quarter, as the Tigers fought tooth and nail to grab back the lead.
Richmond will take valuable learnings from its final practice match, as it opens its season next Sunday, March 26 against the Northern Bullants at the Swinburne Centre from 12.00pm.
RICH 3.3 7.5 9.8 12.9 (81)
CARL 0.4 1.6 8.11 12.14 (85)
