Blues Fightback Puts Tigers Away

Sun Herald

Sunday June 29, 2008

By Karen Lyon MCG

BLUE 17.16 118

TIGERS 12.16 88

CARLTON and Richmond had their seasons on the line at three-quarter-time yesterday afternoon.

Just one point separated the two vast improvers and both were unexpectedly vying for a finals berth.

But in the last 30 minutes of yesterday's clash between two of the sport's greatest rivals, it was Carlton who stood tall and demanded to stay in contention for the finals race, spoiling Richmond's AFL/VFL centenary match celebrations.

In a stunning final quarter, led by stand-in skipper Nick Stevens, who assumed the role after injured Chris Judd's withdrawal on Friday, the Blues piled on seven goals to two in a final quarter rout to run out comfortable and impressive 30-point winners.

The win says a lot about the emerging character of the young Blues. It had been a lacklustre first half, with neither side really impressive but Richmond slightly in control.

Both sides had led six times and the scores had been level six times before the three-quarter-time break.

The Blues started their charge early in third quarter with Carlton coach Brett Ratten making some crucial moves. He took Setanta O'hAilpin off Hughes, who had kicked three goals in the second term, and replaced him with Michael Jamison, and Brad Fisher became the go-to Carlton forward, to expose Joel Bowden's penchant for running off his opponent. Both worked a treat.

Hughes didn't kick another goal for the match and Fisher was inspirational in the opening 10 minutes of the third term, kicking a goal and playing a role in two others.

The Blues have a reputation for fighting matches out to the end, with some great final quarter performances and yesterday was no exception.

The Blues attacked from the start of the final term, and when Richmond's star player Matthew Richardson went off the ground with a hamstring injury at the five-minute mark of the term, the die had been cast.

Bryce Gibbs and Fevola scored in quick succession to give the Blues an 11-point lead. Simon Wiggins then marked strongly on the edge of the goal square and kicked the routine shot to give the Blues a 17-point lead and seal Richmond's fate.

© 2008 Sun Herald

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