AFL

'Hanging on': Blues withstand Tigers' late surge

Mar 12, 2026

Zac Williams has kicked a crucial late goal to help Carlton survive a second-half fightback from Richmond and release a pressure valve with a tense four-point win.

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After a horror week, headlined by retired former captain Sam Docherty's leaked "f***ing shitshow" criticism, the Blues responded with a 10.15 (75) to 9.17 (71) victory at the MCG on Thursday night.

There were plenty of nervous moments as Carlton - who coughed up a 41-point lead when beaten in the corresponding fixture last year - had a 29-point advantage cut back to less than one straight kick.

Williams battled a foot injury earlier in the match but stepped up with a clutch set shot to end a 55-minute goal drought and give the Blues breathing space in time-on of the final quarter.

Tigers spearhead Tom Lynch responded when he was awarded a controversial free-kick and slotted his second major to set up a huge last two minutes.

But Lewis Young took a vital mark in defence and the Blues hung on in the desperate final stages to post their first win of the season, after being hammered by Sydney in the opening round.

"We were hanging on and probably doing it for most of the second half, to be fair," Carlton coach Michael Voss said.

"But what I did ask our boys was to fight and when teams surge, then your ability to be able to hold.

"We had our backs to the wall and all we could do was fight out of it. You've got to begin somewhere, don't you? So that's where we begin."

Young gun Jagga Smith (32 disposals) was outstanding in his second senior game, particularly early, with senior midfielders Patrick Cripps (32) and Sam Walsh (30) also important.

Jacob Weitering stood tall in defence, while Harry McKay and Mitch McGovern kicked two goals each for the Blues.

Lynch finished with a wayward 2.7 for Richmond as he created and squandered chances to kick his side to victory.

Sam Lalor shone with 16 touches and two goals, while Tim Taranto (29 disposals), Jayden Short (29) and captain Toby Nankervis (21) were influential in the Tigers' comeback.

Rhyan Mansell and Steely Green kicked two goals each, and Sam Grlj (19 touches) impressed on debut.

Tigers coach Adem Yze lamented his side's poor start and admitted they "probably should've won" in the end.

"When you look at process and system, there was green everywhere," Yze said.

"But we don't win the game so we've got a bitter taste in our mouth."

In a fiery contest, Jonty Faull felled Weitering off the ball with a jab to the stomach that could cost the Richmond youngster a week on the sidelines.