Summary
A hard earned four points for Richmond on a gala night at the MCG in front of over 90,000 spectators. After the 2017 premiership flag was unfurled the Tigers were expected to blow the Blues away but it was Carlton that came firing out of the blocks and they defended their early lead doggedly until Richmond eventually gained the upper hand during the last quarter.
It was a pulsating game full of desperation from both sides, each committed to attacking quickly whenever possible. The obvious strategic difference was Richmond’s execution of its forward press, elsewhere the game was even with many Blues holding their own or bettering their direct opponent.
No player typified this more than Patrick Cripps who ended with 36 possessions, 25 of which were contested. Alongside him Charlie Curnow impressed with five goals in the forward line while veterans Kade Simpson and Marc Murphy once again showed their class.
For Richmond it was another even distribution topped by the incredible Martin, his 34 possessions and a goal will surely poll Brownlow votes later this year. Damien Hardwick will be pleased four of his players kicked three or more goals to turn what could have become a nervy night into another resounding triumph.
That’s enough from me for now, we’ll be back again right here to do it all again soon.
Updated
Richmond win by 26 points
Richmond 17.19 (121) beat Carlton 15.5 (95)
Q4 02:00 remaining - Richmond 17.18 (120) v Carlton 15.5 (95)
Caddy gets his third, one of five Tigers now with multiple goals.
Q4 04:30 remaining - Richmond 16.17 (113) v Carlton 15.4 (94)
Carlton refuse to go quietly. Petrevski-Seton emerging from a goalsquare scramble with a late snap.
Updated
Q4 06:00 remaining - Richmond 16.17 (113) v Carlton 14.4 (88)
Carlton’s bounce looks to be of dead cat variety with Richmond going from Rance to Riewoldt via the length of the MCG to add more gloss to the scoreboard.
Q4 08:00 remaining - Richmond 15.17 (107) v Carlton 14.4 (88)
Would you believe it? Richmond hammering Carlton all over the ground, Liam Jones performing miracles to keep the ball out and all that hard work pays off with Wright smashing home from 50m on a fast break. There’s no shame in defeat here for the Blues.
Official attendance tonight is 90,151. #AFLTigersBlues
— Melbourne Cricket Ground (@MCG) March 22, 2018
Q4 10:00 remaining - Richmond 15.17 (107) v Carlton 13.4 (82)
In no time at all the lead is up to 25. All Richmond’s key players involved between the centre bounce and Jacob Townsend’s precise finish. He moves up to 20 goals from 38 career kicks!
Q4 11:00 remaining - Richmond 14.17 (101) v Carlton 13.4 (82)
Richmond’s forwards are suddenly leading into space and midfielders running in behind into gaping holes. Townsend profits from some excellent work from Riewoldt to mark truly just inside 50 and nail the set shot from range. This was a contest for three and a half quarters, now it’s a matter of how many the Tigers can rack up in the final ten minutes.
Q4 12:00 remaining - Richmond 13.17 (95) v Carlton 13.4 (82)
You sense the floodgates might be close to opening now after the Martin goal and Butler does nothing to dismiss that view with a breakaway goal topped by a delightful left-footed grubber on the run. One of the finishes of the night to give the premiers breathing space.
Q4 13:00 remaining - Richmond 12.17 (89) v Carlton 13.4 (82)
Castagna kicks Richmond in front with another behind, the product of more superb pressure from the Tigers in their forward half. Carlton look unable to work a way through often, but they’ve proven so decisive when they have they may not need many opportunities.
They may not need many if Richmond continue to attack as they are. Despite plenty of territorial advantage there’s some poor decision making creeping in with players blazing away, miskicking and failing to pick the right option when it matters...
That is until Dusty tucks the ball under his right arm, shoves away any Blue defenders with his left and rams the ball through the big sticks in pure beast mode.
Q4 14:30 remaining - Richmond 11.16 (82) v Carlton 13.4 (82)
Scores remain level, somehow, after Cotchin blazed wide following some textbook ruck-roving 40m out.
Q4 16:30 remaining - Richmond 11.16 (82) v Carlton 13.4 (82)
The lead doesn’t last long as Richmond swarm all over Carlton following the restart. First Martin hits the post then from the kick-out the yellow and black wall is too well set for the Blues to kick through it. Eventually McIntosh has a makeable set shot but it slides wide for a behind. Scores level with 16 minutes to play.
Q4 18:30 remaining - Richmond 11.14 (80) v Carlton 13.4 (82)
Carlton retake the lead! And it’s that pattern again, a Blues mark around 50m - Curnow once more - and a Richmond player running through the protected space, turning an outside chance into a gimme. Curnow has five and this match is in the balance once again.
There’s still everything to play for at the final break. Richmond continue to threaten to break free but Carlton’s infrequent incursions are proving efficient.
Patrick Cripps boasts extraordinary numbers but it’s his teammate Matthew Kreuzer that could prove key. The big ruckman was off for most of the third quarter but he’s back out at the start of the fourth.
Three quarter time: Richmond lead by 4 points
Richmond 11.14 (80) v Carlton 12.4 (76)
Q3 00:30 remaining - Richmond 11.13 (79) v Carlton 12.4 (76)
Richmond’s pressure forces Carlton into a dilemma whenever they receive the ball - do the Blues blast forward and risk conceding space following a turnover? Or do they retain slow possession and try to chip through the yellow and black wall? Thomas tries the latter but he releases the clearing kick too late, falling into the set trap. Richmond gobble up the opportunity, Butler profiting with a sweetly struck set shot.
The Tigers have their biggest lead of the night.
Hang on. From the restart Caddy is the latest to concede 50m from running into Charlie Curnow’s protected area and the young star kicks his fourth. This match refuses to settle.
Updated
Q3 02:00 remaining - Richmond 10.13 (73) v Carlton 11.4 (70)
Kreuzer remains off the field but he’s going through tests, indicating he may play some further part tonight. Without him Carlton have been under the pump but have competed ferociously to deny Richmond any clear goalscoring opportunities.
Q3 04:00 remaining - Richmond 10.13 (73) v Carlton 11.4 (70)
Some of Carlton’s defensive work has been outstanding tonight. Time after time Richmond seem to be building goalscoring momentum but a last ditch smother or spoil has kept the Blues in the game. From the latest Carlton fire down the other end and Cripps, then Curnow both go close following big leaps.
Q3 06:30 remaining - Richmond 10.13 (73) v Carlton 11.3 (69)
The rule of the week is the protected area around the man in possession. McIntosh is the latest of a host of players to be pinged and his indiscretion enables Weitering to hoist the ball inside 50. The Blues think it ends in a goal but a whistle Richmond’s way had already been blown.
Q3 09:30 remaining - Richmond 10.13 (73) v Carlton 11.3 (69)
The seventh goal of the quarter sees a seventh lead change, and it’s another thrilling transition from Richmond and another goal to Townsend. Townsend now has 18 goals from 36 kicks in his Richmond career.
There’s vision of Kreuzer limping gingerly in the rooms, it doesn’t look good for him, and in turn for Carlton.
Q3 10:00 remaining - Richmond 9.13 (67) v Carlton 11.3 (69)
Richmond are coming hard now, hounding Carlton’s back line and exploiting the growing gaps around the ground. As they did in the first half though the Blues are hanging on tigerishly and in Cripps, Murphy and Simpson they have three of the game’s towering figures. Between them they smuggle the ball far enough forward for Nankervis to over-exert himself in a ruck duel with Casboult and the maligned power forward kicks truly to see the lead change hands yet again.
Q3 13:00 remaining - Richmond 9.13 (67) v Carlton 10.3 (63)
That ruck disadvantage tells immediately with Casboult losing out to Nankervis embarrassingly at the centre bounce. Richmond almost capitalise but Riewoldt drags his set shot narrowly wide. Shortly afterwards Carlton’s auxiliary ruckman records his first kick of the night to a chorus of Bronx cheers.
Q3 14:00 remaining - Richmond 9.11 (65) v Carlton 10.3 (63)
Nankervis is back on with a forehead bandage and he outmarks Kreuzer from a kick out. Kreuzer lands awkwardly, clutching his groin and the big man does not look happy. Richmond exploit the advantage, Martin showcasing his marking ability and vision, turning Carlton inside out, serving up a goal on a platter to Riewoldt. That could be game-changing, the goal to retake the lead with Kreuzer limping from the field.
Q3 16:00 remaining - Richmond 8.11 (59) v Carlton 8.3 (57)
Nankervis is off the ground leaking claret again enabling Kreuzer to dominate the ruck, and it pays near immediate dividends with Carlton sending the ball coast to coast in a scintillating chain of possession that culminates in Wright bagging his fourth.
Q3 18:00 remaining - Richmond 8.11 (59) v Carlton 8.3 (57)
Goal, goal, goal, to start the third quarter. Richmond back in front off the boot of Castagna but Simpson’s indiscipline turned a tricky set shot into a gimme with a needless 50m giveaway.
Confirmation Kennedy is out for the night, but it’s not serious.
Updated
Q3 18:30 remaining - Richmond 7.11 (53) v Carlton 8.3 (57)
Richmond’s lead doesn’t last a minute. Carlton win the centre bounce and the ball ends up with Charlie Curnow who snaps from 40m on an angle off one step. As with Cripps’ mark from earlier one of those moments that makes you realise the awesome potential in this Blues outfit once the group reaches maturity.
Q3 19:00 remaining - Richmond 7.11 (53) v Carlton 8.3 (51)
Second half gets underway at a packed MCG. Conditions remain ideal and Richmond take advantage of them, handballing inside attacking 50 to set up Caddy to snap his side into the lead for the first time tonight.
Waiting for confirmation but it looks as though Carlton are down to three on the bench with Matthew Kennedy yet to return from the injury he suffered midway through the second quarter.
Not much between the sides on the stats sheet at half time. Richmond’s ten more inside-50s is a reflection of their territorial advantage but few of those have been controlled passes. The ten extra tackles is testament to the Tigers’ intensity all over the ground.
That said, the standout player has arguably been in blue. Patrick Cripps leads all-comers with 22 disposals, 16 contested. Dustin Martin has again been prominent and you can see him busting the game open in the second half as spaces open up.
Half time: Carlton lead by 4 points
Richmond 6.11 (47) v Carlton 8.3 (51)
Updated
Q2 01:00 remaining - Richmond 6.11 (47) v Carlton 8.2 (50)
Richmond should really be ahead by now and this time they only have themselves to blame. Poor turnover in midfield hands Ellis time and space to run and bounce but he can’t find a target when he unloads inside 50 and five points go begging.
Immediately afterwards they burn another with Martin eschewing a low percentage shot at goal in favour of feeding Cotchin and Hope but between them they can’t convert.
Q2 03:00 remaining - Richmond 6.9 (45) v Carlton 8.1 (49)
Conca does well to engineer space in traffic and he stubs a left-footed floater down the left channel. Liam Jones comes from nowhere but fails to get near the mark and concedes the free kick. Cotchin sets the ball to the top of the square but it’s rushed through for a behind.
Q2 04:00 remaining - Richmond 6.8 (44) v Carlton 8.1 (49)
Another throw, this time a clear one, against Weitering, hands Martin an opportunity to even the scores but he drags a long bomb just wide. It is safe to say Weitering has not enjoyed the best of nights so far.
Q2 05:30 remaining - Richmond 6.7 (43) v Carlton 8.1 (49)
Richmond continue to push and Carlton continue to repel - just - until Thomas is harshly adjudged to have thrown under pressure in the Tigers’ right forward pocket. It’s a momentum changing call because Butler executes the check-side to perfection, skilfully bringing the premiers back within a goal.
Q2 08:00 remaining - Richmond 5.7 (37) v Carlton 8.1 (49)
Richmond look the classier in possession but Carlton refused to relent in defence, chasing every lost cause and forcing mistakes from the Tigers. Simpson has been outstanding so far, typified by hassling Butler out of an expected goal.
The reward is one rare line-clearing bomb, through the increasingly secure Richmond press, that ends in Wright’s hands on the arc. 50m is conceded somewhere and the former Crow has three in the half.
Q2 11:00 remaining - Richmond 5.7 (37) v Carlton 7.1 (43)
Kennedy’s off the field with an injury that looks like it could be nasty but Carlton carry on regardless, Murphy smothering Martin at one end before orchestrating a counter than ends with Wright curling through his second of the night. The Blues have shown terrific resilience so far.
Q2 13:00 remaining - Richmond 5.7 (37) v Carlton 6.1 (37)
Richmond haven’t been allowed to lock the ball in Carlton’s defensive territory as became their trademark last year - cue the camera panning to pressure merchant Daniel Rioli in the crowd.
Saying that, a couple of sloppy Carlton clearances sees Richmond apply the squeeze and suddenly it’s 2017 all over again. The Blues escape with only two behinds against them.
People still coming into the MCG for tonight’s Richmond v Carlton game but this crowd is already the largest for any rd1 game in VFL/AFL history, having surpassed the 87,119 for Carlton v Collingwood on Sunday April 2, 1995.
— Patrick Keane (@AFL_PKeane) March 22, 2018
Q2 15:00 remaining - Richmond 5.5 (35) v Carlton 6.1 (37)
Five or so minutes of pretty sluggish footy ends with Martin stripping Casboult in Carlton territory and the ball pinging in a flash up the other end into Caddy’s hands. The former Sun and Cat kicks Richmond within two points.
Q2 16:30 remaining - Richmond 4.5 (29) v Carlton 6.1 (37)
Slower start to the second term with repeat stoppages in midfield and both sides struggling to fashion chains of possession. Among the scrappiness Cripps plucked a ripping contested mark out of the sky that made you wonder how good the already prodigious talent could become.
Q2 19:10 remaining - Richmond 4.4 (28) v Carlton 6.1 (37)
Plenty of chat at the break about how similar both sides are playing - hammering the ball forward early and committing men in front of the ball - the pattern of the game determined by which side wins the contest. Some concern for Carlton’s defensive organisation, particularly Weitering’s struggles one-on-one with Martin when the star roams deep.
Updated
First-goal bragging rights for 2018 belong to our own @CharlieCurnow.#AFLTigersBlues #BoundByBlue pic.twitter.com/A4WR1rxHDq
— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) March 22, 2018
Quarter time: Carlton lead by 9 points
Richmond 4.4 (28) v Carlton 6.1 (37)
Updated
Q1 00:10 remaining - Richmond 4.4 (28) v Carlton 6.1 (37)
Against the run of play Carlton extend their lead. Rance misplaces a handball into traffic, Lamb feeds off the scraps, finds Garlett and the debutant coolly slots his second of the night.
Q1 01:00 remaining - Richmond 4.4 (28) v Carlton 5.1 (31)
Rance grabs a Mark of the Year contender at halfback to set off a chain involving Martin (natch) and Townsend but the latter can’t convert from the right forward pocket. Great example of Richmond’s ability to turn defence into attack in the blink of an eye though.
Which is exactly what they do a few seconds later. A handball from Rance the origin this time and a Martin mark at the end of the chain, but his snap hits the post and Carlton retain the lead, just.
Q1 04:30 remaining - Richmond 4.2 (26) v Carlton 5.1 (31)
Bosh! Dustin Martin cannot be denied. Resting forward the Brownlow medalist takes a strong contested mark 50m out, and instead of blazing towards goal he checks the scene and picks out Jacob Townsend in acres just outside the goalsquare. Townsend makes no mistake
Q1 05:00 remaining - Richmond 3.2 (20) v Carlton 5.1 (31)
The match has finally taken a breath but it remains fast and furious. While Nankervis was receiving treatment Kreuzer displayed his dominance in the ruck and around the ground with no comparable opponent going to him. Richmond escape until Vlaustin is adjudged to have thrown an overhead handball under duress only 25m out, but Cripps shanks a simple set shot and lets the Tigers off the hook.
Q1 08:00 remaining - Richmond 3.2 (20) v Carlton 5.1 (31)
Oooh, the first MRP issue of the night arises when Murphy’s head collides with Conca’s midriff but nobody seems overly concerned. The free-kick sparks some Carlton pressure though but Kreuzer can’t capitalise from the absence of Nankervis (off with the blood rule) and snaps wide from a boundary throw-in.
Q1 10:00 remaining - Richmond 3.2 (20) v Carlton 5.0 (30)
Richmond have settled now and they’re starting to show their class on the ball. Cotchin, Martin, Edwards are all getting their hands on the Sherrin but the final pass keeps letting them down. The intensity is relentless though and the tidal wave of Tiger tenacity gives Carlton no space to clear. After a succession of half-chances Riewoldt dribbles a pearler from an impossible angle next to the behind post to send the crowd wild.
Q1 12:00 remaining - Richmond 2.1 (13) v Carlton 5.0 (30)
It’s raining goals at the MCG! Two in quick succession for the Tigers who work the ball nicely down the left wing to Castagna who snaps brilliantly around his body from the pocket for a super goal.
Q1 13:00 remaining - Richmond 1.1 (7) v Carlton 5.0 (30)
Richmond are gifted a response with the softest of free-kicks you could imagine given against Jacob Weitering. Jack Riewoldt takes the chance from 25m out with the minimum of fuss and then barrels into as many Blues as he can find trying to spark something in his side.
Q1 14:00 remaining - Richmond 0.1 (1) v Carlton 5.0 (30)
Carlton are playing like a team possessed! Wright again to the fore dragging down Grigg like a hungry lion chomping a wildebeest. He goes back and nails the set shot from 45m.
Q1 15:00 remaining - Richmond 0.1 (1) v Carlton 4.0 (24)
Ok, this is definitely not going to script. Once again Carlton emerge from congestion with the ball, Petrevski-Seton excelling, Jarrod Garlett the beneficiary.
Q1 16:00 remaining - Richmond 0.0 (0) v Carlton 3.0 (18)
Well, well, well... Curnow snaps his second and Carlton’s third in the blink of an eye.
Richmond’s early pressure is reminiscent of 2017 but Carlton have done well to match them at the contest and piece their way downfield by foot. Simpson and Marchbank have been prominent and they combine to set up Wright who’s bomb to the top of the square goes to ground and it’s sharked superbly by the big forward to gather, swivel and score.
Q1 18:00 remaining - Richmond 0.0 (0) v Carlton 2.0 (12)
One becomes two almost immediately with a 50m penalty paid against Richmond after Carlton had claimed the centre bounce. Zac Fisher was the beneficiary and he couldn’t miss from point blank range.
Q1 19:00 remaining - Richmond 0.0 (0) v Carlton 1.0 (6)
Charlie Curnow kicks the first goal of the season after a lovely smooth passage of play from end to end. Curnow eventually marked unopposed just outside the goalsquare and slotted the first six points of the year.
The first bounce of 2018...
Is won by Richmond and belted inside 50 by Dustin Martin. Here we go!
It’s a perfect night for footy at the MCG. A warm autumn day is giving way to a cool still evening. The ground, as you would expect, looks pristine.
Richmond are out onto the MCG in their traditional yellow and black garb, embellished this year with a golden AFL logo unique to the premiers.
Carlton are in their navy guernseys and what look like tradie work shorts that have been washed with inky black jeans to create a mucky pond grey effect. Ghastly colour with daft splotches over the buttocks. It’s a no from me.
It sounds like the original Fable Singers renditions of the club songs in the background. Please don’t push me on all the hoo-ha during the week about the re-recordings, I’m not sure I could care less.
The last time Richmond kicked off a season as premiers was back in 1981, also against Carlton. The Tigers will be hoping for a better result 37-years on.
It’s been a torturous 37-year wait but finally Richmond have a premiership flag to unfurl.
Peggy O’Neal has just delivered a lovely speech, ending with “Go Tiges!” and the hoisting of the blue and white sail. Happy days in Tigerland.
2017, here’s to you! 🐯🚩#AFLTigersBlues #gotiges pic.twitter.com/gknNeZnFTi
— Richmond FC 🐯 (@Richmond_FC) March 22, 2018
Updated
While we’re in the predicting business:
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Flag: like last year I still reckon it’s the Giants’ to lose, they just need to keep the bulk of their best 22 fit for an entire season.
- Brownlow: Dusty - he has a beast mode nobody can match and plays in a team likely to win often alongside teammates unlikely to rob him of many points.
- Smoky: If Joe Daniher finally figures out how to kick for goal Essendon could leap from the pack into contenders. His attack on the ball and overhead marking came on in leaps and bounds last year and for me he’s the one forward who could shake up the finals picture single-handedly.
- Highlight: Those weeks where Selwood, Ablett and Dangerfield click for Geelong. Who knows how many form and fitness will actually permit but it’s a thrilling prospect.
Do any of you have any outlandish expectations you’d like to share?
Updated
Richmond may be the team everyone else is chasing but our own Kate O’Halloran has her eye on the Crows for glory in 2018.
We have an update on the suspension of Katie Brennan - the Bulldogs have failed for a second time in their bid to overturn the club captain’s two match ban and Brennan will miss the AFLW grand final.
Although, having exhausted all his options in the AFL system, club president Peter Gordon is not ruling out legal action.
Kate O’Halloran had her say on this earlier in the week.
Carlton 22
In his 50th game as coach Brendon Bolton sticks with the 22 listed yesterday which means four debutants - Paddy Dow, Matthew Kennedy, Jarrod Garlett and Aaron Mullett. Matthew Kreuzer has overcome a preseason ankle injury while Patrick Cripps and Ed Curnow are ready to fire after ending 2017 on the sidelines.
Backs: 6. Kade Simpson 14. Liam Jones 22. Caleb Marchbank
Half-backs 39. Dale Thomas 23. Jacob Weitering 20. Lachie Plowman
Centreline 18. Aaron Mullett 9. Patrick Cripps 3. Marc Murphy
Half-forwards 25. Zac Fisher 41. Levi Casboult 21. Jarrod Garlett
Forwards 46. Matthew Wright 30. Charlie Curnow 1. Jack Silvagni
Followers 8. Matthew Kreuzer 15. Matthew Kennedy 5. Sam Petrevski-Seton
Interchange 38. Ciaran Byrne 35. Ed Curnow 2. Paddy Dow 13. Jed Lamb
A special moment for our debutants.
— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) March 22, 2018
Do those famous numbers proud, boys.#AFLTigersBlues #BoundByBlue pic.twitter.com/KweUa63Y0P
Updated
Richmond 22
There are four changes from Richmond’s grand final line-up with Nathan Broad serving a club-imposed suspension, Dion Prestia and Bachar Houli waiting another week to return from injury, and Daniel Rioli still some way from recovering fully from a foot injury. Jayden Short, Corey Ellis, Reece Conca and Shai Bolton take their places.
B Alex Rance, David Astbury, Dylan Grimes
HB Nick Vlastuin, Jayden Short, Brandon Ellis
C Shaun Grigg, Shane Edwards, Trent Cotchin
HF Jason Castagna, Jack Graham, Jacob Townsend
F Jack Riewoldt, Josh Caddy, Dan Butler
FOL Toby Nankervis, Kane Lambert, Dustin Martin
I/C Reece Conca, Shai Bolton, Kamdyn McIntosh, Corey Ellis
Public tickets for Rich/Carl have now sold out. There is very limited general admission seating / standing room available for members, subject to capacity / availability.
— Patrick Keane (@AFL_PKeane) March 22, 2018
At capacity, only reserved seat members or patrons with a pre-purchased Ticketek ticket will gain entry.
Preamble
One hundred and seventy four days since Richmond rounded off the 2017 season in such riotous fashion the premiers are back to do it all again, kickstarting 2018 with the now traditional Thursday night curtain-raiser against Carlton.
What a summer it’s been down in Tigerland. Once the most cliched of football clubs Richmond are now the AFL’s standard bearers. The once maligned Damien Hardwick has a new three-year contract, the once mutinous boardroom has a shiny premiership cup in it, and the once reviled Dustin Martin is the face, if not yet the voice, of the competition. As a consequence over 80,000 members have already jumped on board the most rumbustious bandwagon in Australian sport.
The challenge from tonight onwards is to avoid the dreaded premiership hangover, the kind the Bulldogs endured last year. The early signs are good. The list is largely the same, there are no distractions at board or coaching level and star player Martin has been locked away indefinitely. JLT Community Series results were imposing and reflected the upward trajectory of last season. The Tigers improved the longer 2017 wore on, so there’s no reason to suspect they shouldn’t pick up where they left off.
Carlton fans will now be familiar with the mantra of patience and rebuilding. Another season of celebrating the small victories seems in the offing while Stephen Silvagni and Brendon Bolton continue their long slow rebuild. The list is now packed full of potential, boasting an abundance of superstars of years to come, but 2018 is likely to arrive too soon for the Blues to make much ground on the 15 teams that finished above them on last year’s ladder. The departure of Bryce Gibbs was the headline of the offseason and his absence will increase the pressure on a youthful engine room.
The Tigers ran away with this one by 43 points a year ago. It would be no surprise to see that margin exceeded tonight.
As always, this is more fun if you join in so feel free to get in touch. Twitter is by far the easiest during the action but email will be open too.
Updated
Jonathan will be here shortly. In the meantime, here’s Craig Little on the Tigers and their chances of winning consecutive flags:
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