World news – Dusty dominates as Tigers survive the Carlton Challenge and win the AFL opener

Richmond celebrated the unfolding of two Premier League flags with a Dustin Martin-inspired 25-point win over Carlton in a thrilling AFL season opener at MCG.

The recent clashes between their arch-rivals have been one-sided , with Richmond not losing to the blues since 2013, but Carlton let the reigning premieres work through to the end on Thursday night.

However, the Richmond experience ultimately proved too strong as they pulled back towards the end of each quarter, to win 15.15 (105) to 11.14 (80) in front of 49,218 fans – the first audience at an AFL men’s game in Victoria since 2019.

The lead ran out late, but Carlton seemed a real chance to have a surprise when they closed to five points with seven minutes remaining.

But as in the second and third quarters, the Tigers struck back every time Carlton challenged and scored three unanswered goals to the S The Tigers made it without three-time Premier League captain Trent Cotchin (illness), but substitute skipper Jack Riewoldt stepped in when the veteran striker scored four goals.

Superstar Martin was at his best, collecting 31 possessions and two goals – one of which was a copy of his first major in last year’s grand finale – while Kane Lambert and Jack Graham were also important.

The game started at a breakneck pace. In an action-packed first half, the lead changed seven times.

Returning to full-length games after the shortened quarters of last year, both teams got dramatically tired after the main break.

« Carlton has always been a dangerous team and I think that will be the case this year too, « said Tiger’s coach Damien Hardwick.

 » Especially in the first round, they’ll be cheered and ready to go and I thought our boys did well done. « 

Former Melbourne player Oscar McDonald became the AFL’s first medical substitute after the league implemented the controversial new rule the day before the start of the season.

McDonald came for in the third quarter Jack Silvangi (shoulder) made an instant impression by scoring the first goal of the second half before adding another goal for the third major of his 82-game career last season.

The sub from Ri chmond, Jack Ross, was activated late in the third quarter when defenseman Nick Vlastuin, who was eliminated in last year’s grand final, injured his knee and will have scans on Friday.

Tiger defender David Astbury is about to take a break on the sidelines after being reported in his third term over a strike against Lachie Plowman.

Carlton skipper Patrick Cripps and young midfielder Sam Walsh were huge in defeat.

« (Walsh) is a Elite runner, but he just keeps building his game and I love that, « said Blues coach David Teague.

 » But he was also part of a midfield that was beaten – I thought he was very good – but as a collective, our ability to win these contests for breaks has exceeded us. «