Carlton has completed a round of upsets in the first week of AFL finals, ending Richmond’s season with a 20-point win at a packed MCG on Sunday afternoon.
The Tigers looked nervous at times in their first finals game in 12 years in front of a huge crowd of 94,690 at headquarters, but they led for most of the day before being overrun in the final term to lose the elimination final 18.8 (116) to 14.12 (96).
The Blues, who only made the finals in eighth spot after Essendon was excluded from the finals by the AFL, now have to travel to Sydney to play the Swans in next week’s first semi-final.
It was a fierce opening, with Richmond doing all the attacking, but the Tigers could not make their advantage count.
They had 19 forward 50 entries to six in the opening quarter, but they only had an eight-point lead after a seesaw first period.
Richmond was a man down early after Reece Conca did his hamstring in the first term, replaced by the sub Shane Tuck.
The Tigers broke the game open with a seven goal to four second quarter, benefiting from Carlton’s poor discipline as they scored three majors as a result of 50-metre penalties.
Richmond led by 26 points at the main break, and when the Tigers kicked the first of the second half thanks to a free kick, the game was beginning to get out of hand for Carlton.
Five-goal blitz turns Blues’ fortunes around
But the Blues turned it around in eight frantic minutes as Waite, Jeff Garlett and Duigan, Heath Scotland and Betts kicked five goals to close the gap to just a point.
Richmond finally managed to stem the tide with a vital goal from Brandon Ellis just entering time-on, but Duigan kicked his third late in time on.
The Tigers looked glad to hear the siren at three-quarter time, as they led by just four points.
It was goal for goal in the final term. Richmond received a free kick for deliberately rushing a behind by Mitch Robinson and Ivan Maric kicked the goal to give the Tigers a nine-point buffer.
But Betts kicked his third and when Robinson marked close in and goaled at the nine minute mark, Carlton hit the front.
Richmond looked to have set up a goal when they won a holding the ball decision near the goal, but Aaron Edwards played on and was caught, allowing Carlton to clear.
Chris Judd kicked another to put the Blues up by 10 points, but Maric snapped a wonderful goal to bring the lead back within a kick midway through the final quarter.
But Waite kicked his fourth of the day to steady the ship, and when Duigan bagged his fourth at the 21-minute mark it was despair for the supporters at the Punt Road end.
Carlton: 18.8 (116) – J Waite 4, N Duigan 4, E Betts 3, M Robinson 2, J Garlett 2, R Warnock, H Scotland, C Judd
Richmond: 14.11 (95) – T Vickery 2, A Edwards 2, T Cotchin 2, I Maric 2, R Petterd, C Newman, S Tuck, D Martin, J Riewoldt, B Ellis
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