Carlton have won yet another close game, holding on to defeat injury-hit Richmond by five points at the MCG on Thursday night.
In a topsy-turvy clash, the Blues benefited from a controversial 50m penalty to hit the front before keeping a spirited Tigers outfit at bay in the dying stages.
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Remarkably, it means Carlton’s last six wins have all been by six points or less, dating back to last year and including two finals.
“They have become miracle workers,” James Brayshaw said in commentary.
Richmond, who lost three players to injury, had taken an unlikely lead into the final quarter.
Matt Owies reduced the margin to under a goal before Tom De Koning benefited from a controversial 50m call.
The towering ruck marked adjacent to the backside of the centre square before the ball was knocked out of his hands by Liam Baker.
The umpire had no hesitation in awarding the 50m penalty, which seemed accidental against Baker, but there was more controversy to come.
“I don’t think he meant it,” Brayshaw said.
As picked up by Brian Taylor, De Koning appeared to be marched forward way more than 50m, which brought him within goal-kicking range.
Using the centre square (which is 50m) as a guide, Taylor believed the umpires gave at least an extra 10m.
“Should be 3m that side of the (centre) square, that is a massive 50 and brings him within (goal) distance,” Taylor said.
“Honestly, it happened 3m inside the centre square, it should be 3m outside the other end of the square … instead it’s 10m.
“That was a big 50.”
De Koning went back and kicked the goal to give the Blues the lead, which they never gave up.
Fans were furious with the call.
“Carlton did not deserve that win only got the win because of a dodgy 50m penalty that wasn’t even there,” one said.
“I try and stay away from criticising the umps, but that 50m penalty to De Koning to me was not there. The helped Blues get a run on and momentum and ultimately could be considered the winning goal,” another said.
“That’s the worst 50m call in AFL history,” a third said.
Richmond fought to the end, having the ball in their forward 50 in the dying seconds, but the Blues hung on grimly to win 12.14 (86) to 12.9 (81) in front of 83,881 fans on Thursday night.
Harry McKay, fresh off kicking the game-winner against the Lions, and captain Patrick Cripps were crucial in willing the Blues over the line and to a 2-0 start to the season.
After having major issues with his goalkicking in recent seasons, McKay (three goals) led the way as some of his teammates, including Charlie Curnow, struggled with inaccuracy.
Richmond suffered three game-ending injuries — midfielder Dion Prestia (hamstring), and defenders Josh Gibcus (knee) and Tylar Young (concussion) — during the first half, but the Tigers hung in with the premiership contenders.
The return of three-time Norm Smith Medallist Dustin Martin, star forward Tom Lynch and captain Toby Nankervis proved crucial for Richmond after the trio missed last week’s loss against Gold Coast.
Lynch, playing in his first game since round four last year after struggling with a serious foot injury, booted the Tigers’ first two goals in an immediate confidence boost.
The dual Richmond leading goalkicker teamed up with Noah Balta, who has been shifted from defence under new coach Adem Yze up forward for the first time.
But in the absence of Gibcus and Young, Balta was moved back to defence in the second half.
– With AAP