Brett Deledio celebrates with Jack Riewoldt after kicking a goal. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun
THE streak is dead -- but it took forever to turn off the life support.
Richmond, which led by 42 points 11 minutes into the third term, held on by five points to end a four-year season-opening nightmare against long-time rival Carlton, which had three gilt-edged chances to win in the closing three minutes.
The Tigers, so dangerous and poised for 90 minutes, stopped in their tracks, booting their final goal at the 25-minute mark of the third term as Carlton piled on five in the final term.
Coach Damien Hardwick smiled when asked if he'd contemplated what another Carlton major would have meant, but said he'd always "had faith" his charges would hang on.
Trent Cotchin clears out of the middle. Source: Herald Sun
"But there were a couple of stages where they were just getting (caught) forward of the ball in the last quarter," Hardwick said.
"We controledl the game of footy and should have been a lot further ahead on the scoreboard.
"But Carlton teams don't give up. Mick Malthouse sides don't."
"For us to come away with the win tonight was a really good result for our footy club."
When new captain Trent Cotchin and his deputy Brett Deledio slowed from the blistering speed they offered in the first three quarters, it looked for all money as if the Tigers would add another to the list of six games they lost by less than 12 points last season.
Lachie Henderson after the final siren. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun
Only a desperation tackle by Luke McGuane in the forward line effectively stopped the Blues' surge in the final minute -- sparking yellow and black celebrations born more of relief than the joy that appeared likely 30 minutes earlier.
Importantly, after a summer of proofless hype, the Tigers showed signs of significant improvement at all levels, not just their vaunted top-end midfielders.
Hardwick was delighted with a slew of his once lesser lights.
Much-maligned big man Tyrone Vickery booted three goals, two against Lachie Henderson in a first-half torching that set up the the Tigers'
first win in 10 games against Carlton -- the second worst sequence after the 24 they lost to the Blues when they joined the league in 1908.
Chris Yarram misses a goal late in the match. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun
"Ever since he wenet down last year. we knew important he was to the side. He's a big man, just 22 years of age ... but we were really pleased to see him work hard and get rewarded like that," Hardwick said.
"He's a tough kid, plays the game hard and he's very competitive. When he ran with the flight of the ball (and clashed with Mitch) Robinson ... it was a sign of (his) fitness and confidence."
Hardwick was also thrilled with McGuane's endeavour -- and the team play of statistically subdued Jack Riewoldt that made both other big forwards viable alternatives.
"It was a significant role for Jack that allowed Ty to get down deep.
It was great team-first footy ... his best game in 12 months."
Chris Judd breaks through the tacklers. Source: Herald Sun
At the other end of the ground, Steve Morris gave Eddie Betts fits.
Normally Carlton's danger man, Betts was incredibly frustrated with the close attention of the antagonistic Morris which extended, on several occasions, to the bench as the pair ran from the ground.
Jake Batchelor was impressive, especially when he was made the loose man in place of new Tiger Troy Chaplin and helped spark the streak of eight unanswered goals in the first half.
Aside from the need for improved match fitness that is expected in Round 1, the Tigers will be desperate to work on their goalkicking which almost proved their nemesis again.
Richmond, which had equal or more scoring shots than their opponents in 17 matches for just 10.5 wins, frittered away several easy chances in the opening term on their way to 14.22.
Ironically, in the end, it was missed chances by Matt Kreuzer and Chris Yarran in the dying minutes that enabled them to wriggle off the hook.
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