VFL Tigers defeat Carlton to return to the winners' list

Richmond VFL has recorded its seventh win of the season after defeating Carlton in wet conditions on Sunday afternoon.

After falling to Box Hill before their Round 13 bye, Richmond VFL etched their name back onto the winners’ list after defeating arch-rival Carlton by 36 points, 16.9 (105) to 10.9 (69).

In a contest that saw the hosts kick just eight goals to three-quarter-time, the Tigers stormed home to kick seven in the final term and cruise to victory.

In the opening term, the Tigers took their chances to convert three goals from four shots at goal.

AFL-listed mid-season draftee Campbell Gray was potent early, kicking two of the Tigers’ first three goals.

Matthew Coulthard (24 disposals, four tackles and one goal) and Joel Garner – a pinch-hit ruckman on the day (28 disposals, six hit-outs and five marks) - were strong early as the side took a four-point lead into the second term.

A positive for the Tigers was the performance of Lachlan Wilson (32 disposals, five tackles and five clearances) who was instrumental in the midfield. 

As the rain started to pour in the second term, the contest quickly turned into a low-scoring slog.

Courtesy of their ability to gain territory in the contest, the hosts impressively recorded 22 inside-50s in the second quarter.

However, the wet conditions and best efforts from Carlton’s AFL-listed defenders such as Sam Durdin, Dominic Akuei and Caleb Marchbank saw the hosts suffer a 20-minute goalless period.

Liam George (23 disposals and two goals) broke the deadlock with his second major of the afternoon, and Steely Green (13 disposals and five goals) quickly followed to make it back-to-back goals.

Led by Gray (14 disposals, three hit-outs and four goals) and George, the Tigers kicked five goals in the first half to take a 19-point lead into the main break.

As the grey skies hovering over the Swinburne Centre started to clear up, the Blues kicked the first goal of the second half.

The Tigers responded with back-to-back majors through Gray and Nicholas Collier, extending the margin to a then game-high 25 points.

A mini surge from the Blues saw the lead cut to just 12 points heading into three-quarter-time.

The Tigers crucially kicked the first goal of the final quarter via Coulthard.

The Blues responded with two of their own, however, Sam Davidson’s final quarter hat-trick extended the lead back out to 24 points for his side, and sealed the game shut.

Steely Green kicked four goals in the final term and made it a convincing victory in the end.

Richmond have improved to a seven-and-five record in season 2024, further solidifying themselves as a finals chance.

They now look ahead to their next challenge against the Northern Bullants next Sunday, July 7 at Genis Street Oval.

Richmond 3.1 5.5 8.7 16.9 (105)
Carlton 2.2 2.4 6.7 10.9 (69)

Goalkickers: Green (5), Gray (4), Davidson (3), George (2), Collier, Coulthard

Best: Wilson, Garner, Coulthard, Gray, Dow, George, Davidson