Blog log from R1 of 2026: Carlton vs Richmond

Hayward provides a crumb for a long dump rebound kick to members wing, Elijah Hollands passes short to the lead of McKay who misses from 45m on a slight angle. (Q1 2:08)
McKay stands up in a Miller tackle deep in the pocket and gets a grubber off, ball sits up on the goal line for Ainsworth to volley home from point blank range! (Q1 3:13)
Series of stoppages in Carlton’s forward 50, Pittonet earns a holding free on Nankervis 25m out on a slight angle, he converts. (Q1 5:18)
McGovern leads Gibcus to a bounce pass from the next centre contest, he is able to mop up and wheel onto his right for a goal from 45m on a slight angle that was too easy. (Q1 6:34)
First goal taken off Ainsworth and given to McKay on review. (Q1 7:33)
Williams bumps Green after a snap 20m out in the pocket, crowd hoots after the ump deems it worthy of a second kick which Green curls in off his right. (Q1 8:34)
Kemp dribbles home a goal from the next centre contest engineered by Pittonet, soccering a loose footy from the hotspot. (Q1 9:54)
McGovern marks and goals from the hotspot, early signs are this isn’t going to be a repeat of last year’s disaster. (Q1 15:14)
Smith plays on to advantage for a running snap from 45m on a slight angle, falls on the line for a review after Balta tries to touch it… ruled a behind. (Q1 16:24)
Mansell roves a Gray contest 40m out on the flank and skids through a quick but high quality snap off his left. (Q1 18:03)
Cripps rides a tackle and gives inside at half forward to Hewett who pops through the easy goal from the hotspot. (Q1 22:49)
O’Keeffe leads to the boundary for a marks 20m out but misses across the face to the right. (Q1 26:30)
Lynch marks in front of Young just inside the paint from long range, 50m penalty on Young for encroachment to ensure the goal. (Q1 29:15)
Lynch receives from Rioli for a left-foot snap across the body from 30m that screws past the right post for a behind. (Q1 32:32)
Lynch gets a set shot after the QT siren from 40m on a slight angle, crowd chunters when he misses near side right. (Q1 35:09)
Elijah Hollands rifles out a handball after a roving a pack 25m out in the pocket but Cripps’ skidder is narrow to the right. (Q2 1:03)
McKay marks a Carroll dart 50m out on a slight angle, wheels and shoots over Balta running back to the square but it hits the near right post. (Q2 2:06)
The Tigers go coast to coast from the kick in, with Mansell taking the link mark and bombing long over Cowan to Armstrong who marks 20m out in the pocket and shanks a point. (Q2 3:06)
Mansell sends a high speculator from HFF to the square, crumb falls over the back where somehow Green is on his own and snaps the goal. (Q2 4:35)
Balta’s aggressive positioning on McKay doesn’t pay off as he can’t stop McKay contesting at the top of the square, free goes against Nankervis but the goal is Balta’s fault. (Q2 9:05)
Carroll misses from behind a stoppage 40m out on the flank off his left boot. (Q2 10:19)
Young is aghast after Lalor is paid a mark 15m out in the pocket with Gray jumping on Young’s back, there’s no arguing the umpire around, Lalor goals regardless. (Q2 12:35)
Kemp marks 35m out on the flank but shoots across the face to the right. (Q2 15:33)
Hayward checksides from 30m on the flank for a goal to settle down what had been a scrappy game over the past five minutes. (Q2 16:36)
Faull runs behind Weitering to mark a Ross pass to 25m on the flank on the end of a slingshot play up the staples, but he misses. (Q2 20:51)
Cripps plays from and gets a rather soft holding free on Balta 15m out on a slight angle… footy gods and Tiger fans cheer as the champ shanks to the left. (Q2 24:03)
Cripps to Fogarty to Lord who snaps off his right from the hotspot, that one falls in, Tiger defenders claim a touch off the boot by Ralphsmith, ruled a goal. (Q2 27:06)
Fogarty flies in to catch Short HTB 20m out in front for the first score of Q3, which is a poster. Crowd goes aww. (Q3 1:14)
Pittonet misses from ruck 30m out on the flank. (Q3 2:36)
After Grlj is involved three times in a rebound up the corridor, Lalor roves a contest 40m out on the flank and performs a blind turn for the wow factor goal! (Q3 3:41)
Ross is caught in possession on the HFF but then intercepts Smith’s pass, he hits Lalor for a contested mark 40m out on a slight angle, he misses near side right. (Q3 8:01)
Mansell marks a Taranto pass on the boundary 25m out and lines up for a drop punt… he threads it! (Q3 8:51)
Or does he… review is called… (Q3 9:36)
Goal is confirmed. (Q3 10:06)
Walsh gives away a free on Taranto 45m out but it’s reversed after Lynch is pinged for contact in the pack in the square. (Q3 12:25)
Faull leads Weitering to the fall of a quick kick to the flank 45m out, his kick hooks and drops to be rushed off the pack. (Q3 20:07)
Campbell checksides narrow to the left from 15m after a give inside by Mansell from the pocket. (Q3 21:42)
Elijah Hollands kicks over McKay’s head for a point from half forward after a turnover. (Q3 22:47)
Rioli mows down Florent to win a HTB free in the centre, Campbell plays on to advantage with a long ball, Cowan smashes Lynch for a free 30m out… hits the post. (Q3 24:12)
Cripps misses another gettable set shot, this one from 40m on the flank. (Q3 28:36)
Lynch has been whinging for frees all night and finally gets one on Young 40m out on the flank for not much contact. Lynch misses near side right. (Q3 30:07)
Lynch marks over Dean on outer wing and threads a lovely inboard pass to open up the ground, Short marks and loads up for bear from 55m out in front… Lalor shepherds, goal! (Q4 5:40)
Tresize does a one-two with Taranto on a rebound around outer wing and spots up Lynch leading to 45m on the flank. Set shot goalkicking the problem… Lynch across the face. (Q4 7:45)
Lynch marks again 45m out on the flank on members side, this set shot to level the scores… just across the face to the left this time. (Q4 10:05)
Frontal pressure by Richmond forces a turnover on outer wing to Nankervis, Short passes to Lynch 35m out on the flank. Can he get one on line? No, barely a behind narrow left. (Q4 14:40)
Chesser receives from Smith for a running snap from 35m in the pocket but that one is across the face to the right. (Q4 18:18)
Williams marks behind a pack 30m out on the flank from a long speculator by Hayward, he finally gets a set shot to go straight! (Q4 20:31)
Two goals to pinch this again for the Tigers, 4:40 to go. (Q4 21:01)
Faull marks 50m out near the boundary and tries an ill-advised score, just narrow for a useless behind. (Q4 23:33)
Young is whistled for a fairly obvious block on Lynch for a long Broad kick to the top of the square, no arguments there. Surely he kicks this… he does! (Q4 24:31)
Four points in it now, 1:57 to play. (Q4 24:43)
Carlton wins the centre clearance but a throw in results on members wing, 1:26 to go. (Q4 26:15)
Cripps to Walsh for the clearance but Miller intercepts and switches… (Q4 26:33)
Broad to McAuliffe, Armstrong contested grab on the HFF, quick kick but Young cuts it off in the pocket, 45 seconds… (Q4 27:05)
McGovern takes the icing mark, Blue fans cheer lustily. (Q4 27:18)
Out for a throw in on outer wing, 19 seconds left, miracle required. (Q4 27:44)
Taranto roves, Oliver Hollands spoils Faull, ball up 75m out, seven seconds… secondary ball up, siren sounds, Blues hold on! (Q4 28:18)