Tom Lynch kicked a purpose within the remaining minute to safe Richmond an exhilarating draw with Carlton in a blockbuster opening to the AFL season.
The Blues appeared seemingly winners within the remaining quarter, however Lynch marked with simply over 30 seconds left and held his nerve to drill the set shot from shut vary.
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Carlton had one remaining likelihood, however recruit Blake Acres dropped a mark from simply exterior 50 earlier than the siren sounded with each groups locked at 8.10 (58).
The end result provides Tigers spearhead Jack Riewoldt an unlikely file with eight attracts now in his profession – essentially the most in historical past.
When requested after the match by Richmond legend and Channel 7 commentator Matthew Richardson if he knew concerning the looming file, Riewoldt was throughout it.
“Most attracts ever, Richo,” he stated.
” mate of ours Nathan Brown celebrated a draw that we performed in at Marvel. I suppose, you come away from the sport, I reckon each golf equipment performed a extremely good model of footy and I would not be shocked if in the direction of the sharp finish of the season we’re each there.”
Richardson then requested Riewoldt a pair extra questions concerning the sport earlier than going again to the draw file, which resulted in a hilarious change between the previous teammates.
“Thanks Jack. Eight attracts, essentially the most ever,” Richardson stated with amusing.
Riewoldt was fast to answer, “thanks for reminding me however you kicked essentially the most factors right here too.”
However Richardson had the final giggle: “That is alright, acquired essentially the most targets too.”
FULL MATCH COVERAGE: All the stats from the Tigers-Blues draw
Richardson holds the file for many targets on the MCG with 464, with Riewoldt in third place with 395.
“Some gamers fake to not know their numbers, Richo is aware of his,” commentator Hamish McLachlan shortly identified.
Carlton skipper Patrick Cripps admitted his aspect have been a bit too ‘frantic’ on the finish.
“Whenever you’re up, you simply wish to management the footy,” Cripps instructed Seven after the match.
“We most likely acquired a bit bit frantic there on the finish, so you’ve got simply acquired to continue learning. These younger guys have simply acquired to continue learning. These experiences in massive video games with massive crowds, that is the place you wish to be taking part in, so we have simply acquired to continue learning.
“Our sport goes to maintain evolving. You’d reasonably win, however I assumed tonight was a high quality exhausting sport of footy.”
An enormous crowd of 88,084 was readily available to see which of the 2 premiership hopefuls would press early claims.
Ultimately, they have been left with extra questions than solutions.
The build-up had centered round Carlton twin towers Curnow and Harry McKay, in addition to Richmond’s growth midfield acquisitions Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper.
Taranto (32 disposals) had extra touches than another participant on the bottom, working nicely in tandem with Dion Prestia (23), however Hopper (18) was subdued.
McKay kicked one purpose as Curnow led the way in which for the Blues in assault.
George Hewett (28 disposals, eight clearances) and captain Patrick Cripps (25, seven) did nicely for Carlton within the midfield and ruckman Tom De Koning had an enthralling battle with Toby Nankervis.
Maurice Rioli kicked two targets for Richmond and Daniel Rioli (27 disposals) starred along with his sprint out of defence.
Tigers frequent flyer Shai Bolton and Carlton milestone man Jack Silvagni – taking part in his 100th sport – supplied enormous marks for the highlights reel.
It took simply 30 seconds for Richmond famous person Dustin Martin to kick the season’s first purpose, pouncing on Mitch McGovern’s dropped mark and making the defender pay.
Zac Fisher responded with an excellent snap moments later because the Blues took a nine-point lead at quarter-time.
It grew to as a lot as 14 factors however a three-goal surge firstly of the second half put Richmond in entrance – the primary of three lead modifications for the time period.
The Tigers kicked 5.four to 2.three within the third quarter on the again of a 20-6 dominance in ahead entries.
Carlton trailed by 5 factors on the remaining change and hit the entrance via inspirational chief Sam Docherty’s lengthy bomb.
Curnow gave the Blues a seven-point lead with a purpose off the deck earlier than Bolton was behind and Lynch’s late purpose gave the Tigers a share of the spoils.
– with AAP
