AFL LIVE: Blues hang on for thrilling win amid ‘4th of July fireworks’; Maynard says Suns opponent ‘hit me cheaply’

Carlton have stormed into the top 10 for the first time this season but not before surviving an almighty scare from Richmond at the MCG on Saturday night. The Blues dodged a major bullet in the dying minutes after two late goals to Seth Campbell but held on grimly to prevail by two points – 10.14 (74) to 10.12 (72).

Interim coach Josh Fraser maintained his perfect record, winning his seventh game from as many starts, but there was nothing impressive about this victory. In a match eerily similar to their narrow escape against Essendon over the King’s Birthday long weekend, the Blues came from behind against an unfancied rival and leaked late goals to almost lose from a seemingly unassailable position.

The match was still up for grabs until the final siren sounded at a boundary throw-in just outside the Tigers’ forward 50. It ended a run of about half a dozen stoppages in Richmond’s forward half.
For the second time this season, Tom Lynch’s inaccuracy in front of goal was costly. The Tigers great remains stranded on 499 goals after kicking a behind and spraying two shots out on the full. All were relatively simple shots.

There was not much to like about the Blues’ performance, but they secured four premiership points to move into the 10, though they will fall out if North Melbourne upset Port Adelaide in Adelaide on Sunday.

The Tigers signalled their intention with a spirited first term where they out hunted the Blues, beating them at their trademark of contest and clearance. Having averaged nine goals a year, they piled on five in the first term, the last coming just before the break to Jasper Alger after a late hit from Sam Walsh.

It sparked a heated fight involving almost every player on the field after the siren. The Blues dialled up the heat in the second quarter, and the Tigers were unable to cope with the rise in intensity. Walsh turned villain to hero, leading the Blues’ midfield charge while George Hewett and Jagga Smith were also prolific ball-winners, denying the Tigers any control of the play.

Tim Taranto fought a lone hand in the midfield for the Tigers with 25 disposals. The match turned into a real scrap after half-time, due in part to the misty rain and the Tigers’ reliance on kicking the ball long down the line.

There was a bizarre moment in the third term when Brodie Kemp stopped play, mistakenly thinking the umpire had paid a free kick to Harry McKay. From the ball-up, Hewett kicked an invaluable goal. The Tigers were rewarded for their persistence late after the Blues failed to convert several shots early in the term, only to fall just short.

We have a close one at three-quarter time. The Blues have the edge in the game, but the Tigers dug deep to restrict the margin to 14 points. There’s no spark in Richmond’s game. They are resorting to long kicks down the line, making the field narrow. Combined with the greasy conditions, it’s made this game a dour contest. The Blues have control but have lacked the cutting edge near goal to put a gap on the Tigers. As I mentioned a few minutes earlier, Carlton’s key defensive stocks are depleted. Lewis Young is out of the game with concussion, leaving first-season defender Wade Derksen as their No.1 key back. Fortunately, the Blues have the old heads of Nick Haynes and Nic Newman to direct their defence. Nine of the top-10 possession-getters on the field are wearing the monogram, so Richmond need more to help out Tim Taranto. Tom Lynch has had two shots at goal without converting. Their gateway to goal is Noah Balta, who has been their most dangerous forward. Mykelti Lefau has looked lively as well, but the Tigers need to get the ball inside 50 with more speed.

Lewis Young is out of the game with concussion. The Blues are already without Jacob Weitering and Harry Dean, so their key defensive stocks are being tested. Youngster Harry O’Farrell is still on the comeback trail from a knee reconstruction. Mitch McGovern has been shifted into defence. The Tigers have an area of vulnerability to target if they can get a run at the game.