Richmond v Carlton - Round 1 - LIVE SCORES - AFL

Richmond

2 W Thursfield

3 B Deledio 0.1

5 T Simmonds 1.1

7 N Brown 0.1

8 J Riewoldt 1.2

10 S Edwards

11 J Bowden

12 M Richardson 1.2

13 J McMahon

16 L McGuane

17 C Newman 0.1

20 M Morton 4.1

21 S Tuck 0.1

23 D Jackson

28 J Schulz 1.1

29 A Raines

30 R Tambling 1.0

32 B Cousins

34 A Browne

35 M White 0.1

40 K Moore

41 N Foley

Preview

Preview: Richmond v Carlton

By Andrew Wu, Sportal

VENUE & TIME: MCG, Thursday 26 March, 7.40pm (AEDT)
HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 201, Richmond 85, Carlton 115, Draws 2
LAST TIME: Carlton 17.16 (118) def Richmond 12.16 (88), Round 14 2008 at the MCG

WALKING WOUNDED: The Tigers will be without former captain Kane Johnson (knee), boom youngster Trent Cotchin (Achilles) and forward Kayne Pettifer (knee). Former club champion Mark Coughlan (hamstring) may play in the VFL. For Carlton, Brendan Fevola (heel) will play as will Heath Scotland (groin), according to Blues coach Brett Ratten. Andrew Walker could be forced out over fears he could be underdone, and midfielder Shaun Grigg must pass a fitness test on a hamstring. Andrew Carrazzo (arm), former Fremantle ruckman Robert Warnock (foot) and gun midfielder Nick Stevens are unavailable.

FORM: For what it's worth, both teams won two matches and lost two during the pre-season. The Tigers defeated Fremantle in the opening round of the NAB Cup then was eliminated by Collingwood. Another loss followed against St Kilda before completing the pre-season with a victory against Brisbane. The Blues made it through to the semi-finals of the NAB Cup, where they were beaten by Geelong, then lost to Fremantle out west.

WHO'S HOT: No player made more headlines in the pre-season than Ben Cousins. The former Eagles captain arrived at Punt Road with much fanfare last December and has enjoyed an uninterrupted pre-season. He showed in the NAB Cup he still has what it takes to be a star despite not playing since 2007. Big things are also expected of Cousins' former team-mate Chris Judd. Judd says he is much fitter than he was 12 months ago, which will be music to the ears of Blues fans who cannot wait to see their captain return to his explosive best.

WE THINK: If the optimism of Richmond and Carlton fans, at its highest point for quite some time, was shared by stockmarket players the world economy would be booming. But one bubble has to burst this Thursday night. Based on 2008 returns, the Tigers are ahead of the Blues but, on paper anyway, Ratten has a better portfolio to work with. His big problem will be how to nullify blue-chip performer Matthew Richardson and new Tigers acquisition Cousins. Judd will be the Tigers' main concern on the whiteboard but Bryce Gibbs and Marc Murphy are both on the rise. Fevola, likely to be tracked by Kelvin Moore, is due for a profitable night against the Tigers. A first-up win will be a huge fillip for Terry Wallace, who does not want a not-so-golden handshake mid-season, but it'll be the Blues' stocks that will soar this week. Carlton by 34 points.

Q4 - ..but the Blues piled on 8 goals in the first term to set up the remainder of the match & ran away with it before half-time!

Q4 29:48 - Fulltime: Carlton have started the season with a dream start downing the Tigers by 83 points. It looked like it was goin to shape up to be an entertaining match after the opening 10 minutes...

Q4 28:40 - Richmond inside 50, Richo is in the goal square but Bower comes over the pack with the flight of the ball & it's punched through for a rushed behind.

Q4 27:35 - Judd looks for his third of the night, but puts through his first behind.

Q4 25:50 - It continues to get worse for Richmond as Raines comes off the ground with what appears to be a knee injury.

Q4 24:20 - Simspon looks to further add salt into the wounds of the Richmond faithful, but he only registers a signal point.

Q4 23:00 - The Blues are on the attack again & although they are under a great deal of pressure Richmond are able to momentarily get out of trouble...

Q4 22:05 - Wiggins is 20 out directly in front, it’s un-missable but he fails to connect with the ball and it’s offline for a behind.

Q4 20:30 - Kruezer with the effective handball finds Murphy, he runs inside 50 unleashes a beautiful looking kick in the goalward direction & splits the middle!

Q4 19:10 - Wiggins stretches the lead out to 75 points as he puts away his 2nd goal of the night 40 out from goal!

Q4 18:40 - Fevola comes off the ground looking a little ginger and will be rested for the remainder of the match.

Q4 17:50 - Deledio lines up, drop punt is on its way but only manages a minor score.

Q4 16:15 - Not only has Carlton applied pressure on the Tigers around the ground, but they have also applied intense pressure on Richmond when the Blues move the ball forward.

Q4 14:45 - Hadley to Houlihan who spots Betts on the edge of the goal square, he takes the uncontested grab lines up 12 from goal & celebrates his 5th goal of the night.

Q4 13:50 - Simpson sends it inside 50 looking for Fevola but he is beaten to the ball by McGuane.

Q4 12:05 - Russell puts away another goal for the Blues as he controls the ball & unloads from around his body & sends it sialing over the goal umpire's head.

Q4 10:10 - Carlton are playing kick to kick as they hold up the play in an attempt to find an opening that will allow them to enter their forward 50.

Q4 08:30 - The immediate future is not looking to bright for Richmond who will have to travel to Skilled Stadium next week to take on the Cats.

Q4 07:15 - Morton with the ldriving kick finds Tambling on 50, Tambling enters the 50 unloads & GOALS.

Q4 06:10 - Cousins with the bounce, unleashes the handball & in doing so goes to ground pulling a hammy.

Q4 05:30 - A positive for the Blues is that they have not been one dimensional up forward and have not been Fev conscious.

Q4 04:40 - Fevola with the strong tackle forces the turn over, the ball comes out to Murphy who bounces it through for a GOAL!

Q4 02:15 - Simmonds receives a free directly in front just 30m out after being held, however he misses the sitter set shot which sums Richmond's night.

Q4 01:10 - Carlton go forward in the early stages of the term but Richmond clear from defence- a rarity for the Tigers tonight.

Q4 00:03 - The final term is underway with Cousins starting the term on the bench after experiencing some hamstring problems.

Q3 30:11 - 3/4 time: the lead just keeps getting stronger for the Blues, they are now up by 59 points. Have Richmond got caught up in the Cousins hysteria or have they not improved on last season...

Q3 29:30 - McGuane has put in a great effort on Fevola tonight sticking with him for most of the match after a few undisciplined errors early on.

Q3 28:05 - The ball comes off the pack in the goal square & Betts shows his brillaint skills as he sends the ball past team mate Garlett for a GOAL!

Q3 26:40 - Richmond inside 50, but once again fail to have a major impact on the scoreboard as they register a point.

Q3 24:20 - Richardson picks up his 9th disposal for the term, but unfortunately for him his perofrmance has failed to ignite his team.

Q3 23:00 - Though he missed on that occasion, Morton has been one of the few positives, for the Tigers, to come out of this match.

Q3 22:20 - Morton flies & takes a great mark over Simpson 40 from goal, he lines up but it's a poor kick off the boot & he fails to register a score.

Q3 20:50 - Morton with the high kick towards goal, Jacobs has the ball in the goal square, he is under pressure & tries hard not to rush it through, he gets the effective handball away & they're out of trouble.

Q3 19:40 - Richardson from the set shot, it's a difficult shot & he fails to make the distance with the ball going out of play.

Q3 17:50 - Riewoldt has another opportunity from an identical postion- he had previously missed two easy goals- this time he makes no mistake as he GOALS!

Q3 15:30 - ...Murphy with the precise handball hits his target in Betts, he has a shot & puts away another one for the Blues.

Q3 14:50 - Waite shrugs off McMahon & the Blues are into attack once again...

Q3 13:20 - Scotland through the midfield sends the ball inside 50, Betts on the run strides into the open goal- Blues by 53 points!

Q3 11:30 - Wiggins takes a spectacular grab as he flies in the air ahead of the pack, he lines up 45 out directly in front but he can't finish it off as it results in a behind.

Q3 09:40 - Morton gets his fourth as he threads it through directly in front, though it will not be enough for the Tigers.

Q3 07:30 - Richmond's skill level has been elementary & their pressure has been nonexistent.

Q3 06:55 - Cloke with the hit out, Judd bursts through & gets past a tackle having a quick snap on goal & DRILLS IT!

Q3 06:10 - Fevola appears to be getting frustrated with the extra attention.

Q3 05:40 - The Blues go forward looking for Fevola, it's two on one & Richardson takes the mark in defence.

Q3 04:55 - Richardson manages to pick up the ball, he plays on having a snap on goal... it's a great looking kick but it hits the post on its way through!

Q3 03:50 - Riewoldt looks to get one back for Richmond as he lines up directly in front, the drop punt is on its way but it fades away for a behind.

Q3 02:15 - Kruezer can get another one for the Blues but his kick is offline & the Tigers are lucky this time.

Q3 00:50 - Robinson receives a free & 50m penalty after Raines pushed him in the back, it's a gift goal to Robinson from the goal square who has 3 goals on debut!

Q3 00:02 - We're back in the centre of the ground for the first bounce of the second half, the siren sounds & we're back underway!

Q2 30:44 - Half-time: Carlton take the momentum & a 40 point lead into the main break against a hapless looking Richmond outfit. The Tigers skill level has let them down as they struggle to hit a target.

Q2 30:10 - Just as the Tigers looked to be getting back into the match Carlton were able to regain momentum & put away a few late goals.

Q2 29:15 - Judd from the boundary puts it on his left foot & swings it around to split the middle- Carlton back out to a 40 point lead.

Q2 28:00 - That is now ten Carlton goals that have come from Richmond turn overs.

Q2 27:25 - Another Richmond turn over allows Carlton to move into attack, Fevola takes the uncontested mark & plays on to Wiggins in the goal square who goes BANG!

Q2 26:30 - Can Richmond make something of it?

Q2 25:10 - The Tigers are inside 50, Schulz with the handpass over the top to Morton in the goal sqaure & he GOALS easily- it's his third for the night!

Q2 24:00 - Richmond will be looking for a couple of late goals in this term to hopefully take some momentum into the main break.

Q2 23:15 - Murphy dashes down the wing & offloads in the Fevola direction who manages to pluck the ball out of mid air, he lines up 55 out just short of the boundary however his kick fades away for a point.

Q2 21:40 - White finds space & breaks away from his opponent he looks for Schultz on the lead & finds him... Schultz lines up 45 out but he only manages a minor score.

Q2 19:50 - Richmond are really struggling to maitain possession as they continue to turn it over at a rapid pace.

Q2 18:00 - Man of the moment Ben Cousins had a good start to the match but has faded out over the second quarter.

Q2 17:15 - Simmonds gets a much needed goal for the Tigers as he lines up 45 out from goal, he swings it back & GOALS!

Q2 16:30 - Richmond are dropping numbers down back behind the ball as they opt for a defensive game plan.

Q2 15:45 - It's the same old story for the Tigers as they attempt to enter 50, they once again turn the ball over.

Q2 14:40 - Gibbs at full stretch takes a freat overhead mark, he offloads to Russell who has a shot but his kick is out on the full.

Q2 13:20 - ...the ball is thrown in but Carlton can't convert on this occasion as they concede a free kick.

Q2 12:50 - Brown to Deledio, but Deledio coughs it up & Betts intercepts sending Carlton into attack but the ball bounces out of play...

Q2 11:20 - Robinson continues his impressive start to his career as he lines up just inside 50 & sends the ball sailing over the goal umpire's head for his 2nd GOAL- Carlton's lead is back out to 40 points!

Q2 10:50 - Richmond look for conscutive goals as Foley goes forward, however once again they turn the ball over.

Q2 09:40 - At last they break the goal drought- Morton & Bowden spoil each other 10 from goal but Schultz picks up the loose ball, has a snap & GOALS!

Q2 08:20 - Richmond cannot get the ball past half forward & their last goal came 25 minutes ago.

Q2 07:00 - Carlton are getting to the contest first but when Richmond have the ball they are applying great pressure on the Tigers having had 27 tackles thus far.

Q2 06:05 - Riewoldt marks out in front 47m out, he goes back & will be hoping to thread it through but his kick stays left & only manages a behind.

Q2 04:00 - Waite's direct opponent is Richardson who has been moved from Richmond's half-forward line & is struggling to get into the match.

Q2 03:15 - It's raining goals for Carlton- Houlihan handballs it to Waite who runs inside 50 & goes BANG for his 3rd of the night!

Q2 01:50 - Richmond thumble & the ball is turned over, Judd unleashes a quick kick to the top of the goal square & Fevola is there, with a mid air kick he gets boot to ball & it's a marvelous GOAL!

Q2 01:20 - Carlton go forward in the Fevola direction but he has two to beat & Raines is able to gain compsure & get Richmond out of trouble.

Q2 00:02 - The siren sounds to get the second quarter underway with Carlton youngster Jacobs winning the ball.

Q1 34:31 - 1/4 time: Carlton got out to a fantastic start & lead by 30 points, it has been an entertaining season opener thus far with the Blues dominating after the 20 minute mark.

Q1 33:00 - Have the Tigers been caught up in the Cousins mania?

Q1 32:00 - Carlton have dominated the past 10 minutes of the match & their attack on the ball has been ferocious having extended their lead to 30 points.

Q1 31:40 - Waite receives the handball just inside the centre, he takes a bounce running to 52 out, he unloads towards goal & Fevola shepherds the ball through for a GOAL!

Q1 29:30 - McGuane gives away a costly free after taking Fevola in the back, he will line up 35 out just inside the boundary, the kick is on its way & he splits the middle.

Q1 27:30 - Carlton's young ruck combination is working well with Carlton winning the ball at the stoppages.

Q1 26:50 - Fevola with the look away handball finds Garlett, on the run he unloads from the 50 but his kick is offline for just one behind.

Q1 24:55 - Houlihan with the precise delivery finds Kreuzer who takes the overhead mark, Kreuzer lines up & it's a wobbly looking kick off the boot but he makes no mistake of it as he GOALS!

Q1 23:00 - The crowd has packed into the stands tonight to see the season opener & they are witnessing quite a spectacle as both teams go after the ball with desperation.

Q1 22:20 - Again it's Fevola, he looks to send the Blues inside 50 but he thumbles, he gets the kick away towards the forward pocket but it bounces towards the boundary.

Q1 21:05 - Fevola receives a free 20 from goal after being taken over the shoulder by McGuane, Fev lines up on a slight angle but it's a horrible kick & it's away to the left!

Q1 20:00 - Carlton look dangerous up forward & Fevola is yet to have a major impact on the match.

Q1 18:45 - Garlett gets the dream start to his AFL career as he lines up for the Blues & puts away their 5th for the match- Carlton by 9 points.

Q1 17:50 - Houlihan puts it on his left as he hurries a shot but his kick is out on the full.

Q1 15:35 - Richardson finds space as he marks out in front, it's a good looking kick as he lines up 45 out & there's no doubting the kick as he threads it through the middle- GOAL!

Q1 13:40 - Hadley with the mark, Deledio oversteps the mark & Hadley is awarded a 50m penalty & will be brought within range, he unloads from 45 directly in front & extends Carlton's lead to 9 points.

Q1 12:30 - Carlton waste no time as they regain the lead through Betts who has a quick snap on goal & GOALS.

Q1 11:20 - Bowden has the ball 15 from goal, with the quick handball he finds Morton alone who goes BANG for his 2nd- Morton & the Tigers are on fire!

Q1 10:40 - Once again the ball is with Morton 45 from goal, he is on the opposite side this time as he lines up, however his kick is away to the left for a behind.

Q1 09:30 - Cousins appears to have settled into the match having picked up 4 possessions already- he looks hungry!

Q1 08:05 - The Blues turn the ball over in the centre & Cousins plays on with the kick to Schulz, he finds Morton 40 out who lines up & puts away Richmond's 1st GOAL!

Q1 06:10 - Deledio with the miskick in defence as Robinson intercepts, he controls the ball having a shot from just inside the boundary line & splits the middle- Blues by 11!

Q1 04:40 - ...Richmond run the ball forward & Brown has the ball inside 50, he has a shot, the ball is bouncing but gets a bad bounce & goes through for a minor score.

Q1 03:50 - Carlton move the ball inside 50, but the kick is hurried & Richmond have time to defend & clear the ball...

Q1 02:20 - Simmonds drops a mark in defence & the ball spills free, Waite does the crumbing has a snap on goal & kicks the FIRST GOAL OF THE SEASON!

Q1 01:12 - Richmond have a chance early on through Richardson who marks 40 out on a slight angle, he lines up but as it is swinging back he hits the post.

Q1 00:12 - Just twelve seconds in & Cousins has his much hyped first possession!

Q1 00:01 - The teams take to the field & the siren sounds as the umpire goes BANG & we're underway with Richmond clearing.

Q1 00:00 - Welcome to the MCG for the much anticipated season opener between Richmond & Carlton. The teams are warming up and we are just minutes from the first bounce.