THE CARLTON Reserves finalised their preparations for the 2023 VFL season with a come-from-behind win over Richmond. 

Trailing by as much as 35 points at half time, the Blues piled on 11 second-half goals to snatch victory from the Tigers leading into this Friday night's season opener against the Cats.

Paddy Dow (four) and Harry Lemmey (three) recorded seven between them, Jack Carroll kicked the winner and Marc Pittonet was a combative presence over the course of the five-point win.

Quarter one

Despite having the aid of the breeze in the first quarter, the Carlton Reserves were unable to make the most of their attacking entries. Paddy Dow, Jack Carroll and Jaxon Binns all pushed forward from midfield to register shots on goal, but narrow misses proved the tale of the Blues’ opening term. Richmond registered three goals to Carlton’s zero, largely hitting the Blues on the counter attack after considerable time spent in their forward half. Sam Durdin had some strong moments behind the ball, either spoiling or taking an intercept mark, while Ned Cahill battled willingly at the feet of the talls. Marc Pittonet was influential in key contested moments, but the Blues trailed by 17 points at the opening change. 

Quarter two

Richmond picked up from where it left off in the opening term, hitting the scoreboard with a long-range goal inside the opening minute. It was Dow - while stationed up forward - that got the Blues on the board in a meaningful way, converting truly from a set shot: a second attempt from the resulting centre clearance missed narrowly. While Dom Akuei showcased his aerial prowess and Jaxon Binns was busy between the arcs, Carlton struggled to fight its way back into the contest, wasting the ball in blustery conditions. Despite dominating forward entries for the final 10 minutes of the quarter, the Blues were unable to convert, with a late goal putting the Tigers 35 points up. 

Quarter three

Carlton showed no signs of giving up in the second half, with Pittonet scoring within the first minute. It was only up from here with Dow scoring his second, and Mitch Moschetti with his first shortly after. Ned Cahill set Harry Lemmey up nicely for the Blues to score their fourth goal, 11 minutes into the quarter. The Blues were on a steady comeback, but Richmond responded to once again kick out to a 23-point lead. An impressive intercept from Moschetti inside 50 saw him convert his second goal of the match, while Dow kicked his third soon after. Captain Ben Crocker did not go unnoticed, having a strong presence up the ground and sealing a goal just before the siren. An enormous comeback from the Blues saw them trail by three points at the final change.

Quarter four

Dow picked up where he left off, scoring his fourth goal in the first minute. Carlton took the lead for the first time with a three-point ascendancy, before Richmond answered quickly with a goal. Luke Parks was strong in defence, stopping the Tigers’ promising attacks in what proved to be a close quarter, with both teams taking the lead at times. First-year Blue Lemmey showcased his strength scoring the next two goals for the Blues at a crucial time, before - with 27 minutes gone - Jack Carroll secured the win with a late major.

RICHMOND VFL              3.3     7.5    9.8      12.9  (81)
CARLTON RESERVES       0.4    1.6    8.11    12.14  (86)

GOALS
Carlton: Dow 4, Lemmey 3, Moschetti 2, Carroll, Crocker, Pittonet

Samantha Smith is a student at La Trobe University, undergoing her Bachelor of Media and Communications (Sports Journalism). She is currently undertaking an internship at the Carlton Football Club as part of its partnership with La Trobe University.