CARLTON has moved into positive win/loss territory with its eighth victory of the season, defeating Richmond by 20 points at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.

The Blues had the measure of Richmond all afternoon but were forced to fight off several comebacks, most notably in the last quarter when a flurry of yellow and black goals briefly threatened to reel in what had once been a commanding lead.

But some poor finishing and Carlton’s superior firepower in the form of a nine-goal haul to Brendan Fevola were enough for it to run out convincing winners, 16.13 (109) to 12.17 (89).

It seemed that Fevola’s fifth goal, kicked at the start of the third quarter from beyond 50m, would end Richmond’s afternoon early.

It took the lead to a straight four goals and it was hard to see a way back for a young Richmond team lacking the motivation of finals football enjoyed by their opposition.

But the Tigers, led by Ben Cousins, lifted. They dominated possession and inside-50s but let themselves down in front of goal, adding one goal and eight behinds for the term.

At the other end Andrew Carrazzo joined Fevola in gobbling up any opportunities that came the Blues’ way.

Nothing epitomised this better than Fevola’s seventh goal – his third of the quarter. The Carlton spearhead’s dismal opening term was a distant memory when he trapped Kade Simpson’s grubber in the goal square before scissor-kicking it over his shoulder and through the sticks.

Christiano Ronaldo gets paid vastly more money to do just as good a job.

The goal-of-the-year contender took the Blues out to a 31-point lead at the final change. It was perhaps unfair given Richmond’s dominance around the ground but the adage ‘bad kicking is bad football’ is a truism hammered home to any team that wastes its opportunities in front of goal.

There was no coming back for the Tigers from there despite a spirited finish that gave them a scent of an unlikely comeback before Carlton steadied.

In the first half, the game had been willing if not spectacular, and the grey blustery conditions did not promote slick footy.

The teams traded goals for one and a half quarters before Carlton’s extra class eventually told. The Blues took a 20-point lead into the major break but not before a brace from Fevola late in the second quarter re-established the buffer after Robin Nahas had brought the Tigers back into the contest with two of his own.

The small Tiger might have looked like he would be blown away in the high winds but his finishing and tenacity were pluses for Richmond even if he does drift in and out of the game.

Fellow youngsters Vickery and Jayden Post on debut also shone a light on the future at Tigerland with encouraging performances.

For Carlton, skipper Chris Judd was effective, particularly in the first half, and ended with 29 disposals. Shaun Grigg and Carrazzo were also prolific.

But the difference was clearly Fevola who finished with nine goals and perhaps a car for his remarkable effort in the goal square.

The Blues will hope he stays in such rich form as they push to consolidate a spot in the eight and perhaps go a little higher.

Carlton  3.3  9.8  13.9  16.13 (109)
Richmond  3.4  6.6  7.14  12.17 (89) 

GOALS
Carlton: Fevola 9, Fisher, Betts, Gibbs, Murphy, Bentley, Carrazzo, Kreuzer
Richmond: Riewoldt 3, Nahas 2, Deledio 2, Vickery 2, Morton, Newman, King

BEST
Carlton: Fevola, Judd, Carrazzo, Grigg, Gibbs, Kreuzer, Murphy 
Richmond: Cousins, Tambling, Jackson, Deledio, Riewoldt, King, Vickery

INJURIES
Carlton: O'hAilpin (general soreness) out of selected side, replaced by Anderson
Richmond:

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Kennedy, Dalgleish, McInerney

Official crowd: 50,784 at the MCG

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.