After a promising first half, Carlton ran over the top of Richmond in its final VFL practice match on Thursday at IKON Park, 10.17 (77) to 10.10 (70).

The Tigers started the game perfectly, kicking a goal in the opening minute courtesy of Liam Fawcett, as new recruit Olli Hotton bursted out of the middle and found the key forward. However, the Blues responded almost immediately as Flynn Young made Richmond pay on turnover, streaming to within 55 metres and blasting one from deep.​​

Richmond was running hot, as was teenager Zane Peucker, roving one off the pack at pace before finishing with a brilliant snapping goal from the boundary. Ashton Moir responded with a snapping goal of his own before Noah Roberts-Thomson capped off a brilliant end-to-end play for the Tigers, kicking a nice goal from the paint of the 50-meter line late in the term.

A few late goals gave Richmond an 11-point lead at quarter time, having started the game very well.

Carlton flipped the script early in the second term with two quick goals to snatch back the lead, but after going goalless for over 10 minutes, recent SSP signing Tom Burton got the Tigers rolling with a brilliant set shot.

Moments later, Fawcett kicked his second goal after taking a good grab, followed by a towering mark to ruckman Oliver Hayes-Brown in the goal square. Late in the term, Peucker bettered his first goal, finishing with a wonderful snapping goal, this time off his left foot, to give Richmond a 26-point lead at halftime. 

The Blues made another charge out of the main break, kicking the first two goals of the quarter, cutting the margin back to 13 points. The ball lived in Carlton’s forward half for the majority of the first 15 minutes as they pressed hard, cutting the margin back to just four points approaching time on. Dane Harvey gave Carlton the lead on the three-quarter time siren, capping off a strong fightback.

Early in the last quarter, Richmond finally broke its long goal drought, capitalising on a Blues turnover with a goal as Sam Toner finished off the hard work, giving the Tigers back the lead.

However, Young found some space inside 50 moments later and kicked his third goal of the afternoon for yet another lead change, before Moir gave Carlton more breathing room.

Fawcett took a big grab in the goal square and kicked his third to keep the Tigers alive, down by five points with six minutes left in the match, but Carlton held its nerve and won by seven points, 10.17 (77) to 10.10 (70).

Richmond   4.3   8.7   8.8   10.10 (70)

Carlton   2.4   4.5   8.13   10.17 (77)  

Goals: Fawcett 3, Peucker 2, Hayes-Brown, Burton, Lefau, Roberts-Thomson, Toner