Tigers put together two in a row

Richmond 12.20 (92) def. Carlton 11.18 (84)

Despite an error riddled match, Richmond have won their second match in a row, after defeating Carlton by eight points in their return to the MCG tonight to move off the bottom of the ladder.

In a match that both clubs were desperate to win to keep in touch with the top eight, the Tigers overcame a bout of yips in front of goal, and the greasy conditions to condemn the Blues to their fourth straight defeat.

Key forward Matthew Richardson was best man on ground for the second week in a row, collecting 24 possessions, 12 marks, and kicking three goals, five behinds. Joel Bowden and Chris Hyde, who each managed over 20 possessions, ably assisted him.

Although they had more of the ball than their opponents, Carlton wasted it more often than not. Captain Anthony Koutoufides was a stand out across the half-forward line, with 29 possessions and nine marks, while Kade Simpson continued his rise up the AFL ranks with 22 possessions.

Even though Carlton went into this match as slight underdogs, they got off to a flying start with Brendan Fevola marking his return from suspension with a goal in the second minute of the match. However the Tiges’ hit back quickly with goals to Richardson and Greg Tivendale snatching back the lead.

As the tempo slowed down during the quarter, the Blues started dominating the play, kicking the last four goals of the quarter, thanks to Lance Whitnall, Marc Murphy, Koutoufides and ruckman Adrian Deluca, to lead by 19 points at the first change.

Richmond hit the ground running in the second quarter, having the first six scoring shots, however only two found their target. And when Andrew Walker ran down the ground from defense to hit back hard, some might have expected the Tigers’ heads to drop as they still trailed by 10 points.

However Nathan Foley took advantage of a Richardson free kick to goal soon after, but Jarrod Waite scored his first to keep the lead at nine points. From here Richmond dominated the rest of the half, culminating in Andrew Krakouer putting the Tigers in front at the 26-minute mark. Once again Waite hit back right on half time to see the Blues go into the dressing rooms with a two point lead, despite Richmond having 14 scoring shots for the quarter.

Both sides had their chances in the third quarter, but this time it was Richmond who took theirs. Richardson took the lead early in the third quarter, but Fevola cancelled this out straight away. From here though, goals to Hyde, Krakouer and Tivendale saw the favourites lead by 14 points at the final change and with all the running.

With steady rain coming over the ground, it was always going to be a scrap between two teams that look set to miss the finals again this year round, but Waite gave Blues fans hope at the nine minute mark with the first goal of the quarter to bring the margin back to nine points. However, Pettifer’s second, three minutes later, was enough to keep Carlton at bay for the rest of the match, as Carlton could only manage one more goal, late in the match, thanks to Eddie Betts.

Richmond, with the possibility of Nathan Brown returning next week, face Essendon next Saturday night at the MCG, possibly with the chance of sending the Bombers to their fifth straight defeat, whilst Carlton face arch rivals Collingwood the next day at the home of football.

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