The final siren brought relief to Carlton players and supporters, as the Blues contrived a narrow escape. The team that “never lets you down” in the now sadly ironic words of the theme song, had enjoyed control of the match in the first half, without ever achieving dominance. After half-time, the youthful Tigers slowly worked their way back into the game, but until the early minutes of the final quarter, it seemed unlikely that they could close the gap.
Much has been made of Richmond’s inaccuracy – 2.6 in the 3rd, followed by 2.5 in the final quarter, which was obviously decisive in the context of a single kick margin. However, Carlton also failed at conversion, with an aggregate of 1.6 in the final half, as they might well have put the game beyond reach had they been more precise in front of goals.
The final quarter was a nail biter, as five minutes in Jayden Short’s goal reduced the margin to a bare goal. I’m sure that many Carlton fans had a sinking feeling of déjà vu, reflecting on the corresponding game in 2025. Then an unheralded and almost universally dismissed Tiger team, recovered from a deficit of as much as five goals to inflict a bitter defeat on the Blues – a loss from which Carlton’s extravagant hopes for the season didn’t recover. This time around expectations of the Blues – by friends and foes – are much more modest.
Following Short’s goal, the next fifteen minutes featured exchanges of minor scores leaving the outcome in the balance. Zac Williams emerged to give the Blues a little breathing space, with a fine running goal which mocked the efforts of forwards on both sides. Tom Lynch’s nightmare, which had seen him register 1 goal 7 from the numerous opportunities which he created, finally ended when he converted from a free close in, after he was shepherded by Lewis Young in a marking contest. There was no additional scoring in the remaining few minutes, which left Carlton as highly fortunate winners and Richmond unlucky losers.
Two highly-rated 2024 draft picks Sam Lalor and Jagga Smith were the outstanding players on the field. On the evidence of this scratchy performance, it is unlikely that either of these teams will be in contention in 2026.
After much reflection, I have reached a tentative conclusion about what Carlton FC is trying to accomplish. I think that a Princes Park operative has been impressed by the success of T-20 cricket in creating commercial and spectator (and viewer) enthusiasm, especially in new demographics. Ever the innovators, Carlton are keen to experiment with a shortened form of Australian Rules football. On more than a dozen occasions in the past two seasons, the Blues have performed for two quarters (typically the first two), and then folded for the rest of the game. In keeping with this model, the two matches (v Sydney, & Richmond) to begin season 2026 have unfolded in similar fashion.
AFL HQ have been concerned about the elapsed time length of games, and some of the rule changes for this season have been designed to reduce time-on with this in mind. This is geared to the limited attention span of younger spectators/viewers, but also to the interests of the broadcaster. Sunday’s match, Melbourne v St. Kilda encroached on the sacrosanct start time for the 6 p.m. news, as even with a 3.15 commencement, the high scoring (with the bonus of more advertising spots) stretched the conclusion of the game beyond 6 p.m.
The shortened form of the game seems inevitable, even though it will offend on traditionalists such as me; this is comparable to the manner in which T-20 has compromised the viability of the traditional longer forms of cricket.
While the new sport will obviously require a snappy title, jingles, and other marketing paraphernalia, for now we will refers to it as “half-arsed football”.
CARLTON 6.4 9.9 9.13 10.15 (75)
RICHMOND 3.3 5.6 7.12 9.17 (71)
GOALS
Carlton: McKay 2, McGovern 2, Williams, Pittonet, Lord, Kemp, Hewett, Hayward
Richmond: Mansell 2, Lynch 2, Lalor 2, Green 2, Short
BEST
Carlton: Smith, Weitering, Cripps, Walsh, Florent, McKay
Richmond: Lalor, Short, Ross, Mansell, Taranto, Grlj
INJURIES
Carlton: Nil
Richmond: Nil
Crowd: 74,313 at the MCG
Read more from Peter Fuller HERE
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Excellent Peter on the serious side yes it seemed to be ignored that the blues kicking for goal was just as bad as the tigers and loved the short game-T20 analogy