CARLTON has held on in the dying stages to record a seventh straight victory.

Overcoming a slow start and then a late grandstand finish, the Blues gritted their teeth in wet conditions and emerged with a narrow two-point win at the MCG.

The game looked to be sealed when the excellent George Hewett (26 disposals) kicked his second goal, but a frenetic final few minutes saw the Blues ahead 10.14 (74) to 10.12 (72) when the final siren went.

On a night where Richmond was always going to be up for the occasion, Brodie Kemp struck the opening goal of the night, with excellent courage from Lachie Cowan to kickstart the move.

But from there, the opening quarter belonged to the Tigers. Ill discipline cost the Blues, with a free kick on the quarter-time siren giving Richmond its fifth goal of the term.

It meant the Blues trailed by three goals at the opening change, as tempers flared between the two old foes.

The Blues needed a lift in the second term, and it was the captain who delivered.

A Patrick Cripps intercept and goal got the ball rolling for Carlton, who started to look increasingly dangerous around the ground. Kemp was lively up forward as he kicked his second to put the Blues in front.

The shift in intensity came from further up the ground, with George Hewett and Adam Cerra very lively to get the Blues right back in the contest.

Billy Wilson, Jack Ison and Talor Byrne all had bright moments going forward as the Blues kicked five straight goals, but a late major to Noah Balta closed the gap to eight points at the main break.

Carlton was dealt a blow early with Lewis Young (concussion) playing no further part in the game, having kept Lynch to three disposals in first half. In his absence, Mitch McGovern was swung back, given the Blues one less marking option forward of the ball.

Harry McKay injected himself into the game with a strong mark and goal as the heavens opened and the rain fell, before George Hewett produced another telling moment with a goal from a stoppage.

Ollie Florent provided plenty of run in his 200th game in a scrappy third term, as the Blues took a 14-point lead into the final change.

Carlton had a number of chances to create more breathing room, but recorded six consecutive behinds either side of three-quarter time to keep Richmond in the contest.

A goal from a forward stoppage to the Tigers brought the margin back to eight points, as Wade Derksen stood tall on the last line against Lynch.

It was up to Hewett to once again step up, producing a goal from a free kick to open up a handy buffer and - seemingly - seal the result for the Blues.

However, a free kick for a deliberate rushed behind followed by another infringement had the Tigers within two points with a minute still to play.

The Blues were able to see the game out through repeat stoppages, ensuring a seventh consecutive win in another nailbiter against the Tigers.

Carlton returns to the MCG next week in the same time slot, hosting Hawthorn at 7:35pm on Saturday night.

RICHMOND      5.3     6.5     7.8       10.12 (72)
CARLTON          2.3     7.7     9.10      10.14 (74)

GOALS
Carlton: Hewett 2, Kemp 2, Ainsworth, Cerra, Cripps, Evans, McGovern, McKay