In the players' defence it was windy. But professional footballers should be able to kick the ball to each other better than that. Hawthorn do.

The first half was a mess, a low-scoring mess, the second half was better in that Richmond opened up the game and exploited their superior talent. But it was still not a game you'd rush to re-watch.

The irregularity with which kicks hit the mark – there were 109 clangers between the teams – meant the tackling pressure lifted and players felt the threat of a tackle whenever they presented for the ball.

Simplistically, the better side, Richmond, played to the lesser side's game. But it was an ugly game and an odd game; there was aggression and a bit of niggling and spite.

There were perplexing free kicks, but none more so than the one howling error when Matthew Kreuzer was denied a mark due to the "man in front" being awarded it seemingly for doing nothing other than sit underneath Kreuzer and not touch the ball. (Incidentally, and inexplicably, on Thursday night 15 free kicks were paid; on Friday night there were 55.)

There was the frustrating fact Carlton could kick only two goals for a half, then kicked two in three minutes, then only another one for the game.

There was the fact the Blues' first goal was from Levi Casboult inside the centre square and some 65 metres from goal. Sav Rocca might be the coach of the year for his impact on Casboult. Since Sav's arrival as kicking coach, the game's flukiest kick has booted 18.8.

There was the fact Trent Cotchin got only one handball for the first term, but then 11 possessions in the second and finished as one of the Tigers' best. Andrew Carrazzo could only hold him for so long.

There was the fact that the best player on the ground for his effort in the first half in particular, was a full back. Maybe he will even get Brownlow votes.

There was the fact Ty Vickery removed Michael Jamison from the game within five minutes with an off-the-ball bump that was without menace but had significant consequence. An accidental head knock left Jamison doubled over. He then shuffled off the ground holding his jaw, soon after wishing to be sitting in the foetal position rocking quietly and humming to himself. 

Vickery will likely be reported and miss time given his history of suspension last year for hitting Dean Cox.

Jamison didn't return to the field, and soon after Vickery suffered a rogue elbow to the mouth in a ruck contest and lost a front tooth.

Ultimately there was the truth that the better side was calming and that no matter how sloppy the game became, Richmond were always the cleaner. Which is not a significant statement given the way Carlton used the ball, but Richmond was more composed and threatening when they went forward.

At the critical moments, Richmond had Jack Riewoldt able to take a mark and kick the goal. 

They had Dustin Martin able to burst from the centre to find the right choice, they had Trent Cotchin able to ignore his first quarter and reshape the game. They had Brandon Ellis looking reliably composed, and Vickery unperturbed presenting a strong presence in the air forward and on the ball. They had clever run from Shane Edwards until he was injured and left the game.

Carlton, in contrast, had Lachie Henderson looking lost forward and best able to get his hands on the ball when he went to defence.

They had Chris Yarran being Chris Yarran. 

Which meant being selective when he wanted to get involved and then doing silly things like the 50-metre penalty he handed to Cotchin which gifted a goal and a 10-point lead for Richmond to take to half-time. The Blues had been threatening in front of goal but unable to convert when they offered this up for Richmond.

One of Carlton's most talented young players, Troy Menzel, could not find the ball and Murphy and Gibbs got the ball but had minimal impact. Kreuzer, pleasingly, is growing with his return to the game. 

RICHMOND 2.2 4.5 8.7 10.11 (71) CARLTON 1.4 2.7 4.9 5.11 (41)

Goals: Richmond: J Riewoldt 3, T Cotchin 2, B Deledio, D Martin, S Edwards, S Grigg, T Vickery. Carlton: L Casboult 2, A Everitt, L Henderson, M Kreuzer.

BEST: Richmond: Rance, Grigg, Deledio, Ellis, Riewoldt, Cotchin, Martin, Morris. Carlton:Carrazzo, Kreuzer, Cripps, Gibbs, Bell, Buckley.

Injuries: Richmond: S Edwards (lower leg). Carlton: B Gibbs (shoulder), D Armfield (arm), M Jamison (concussion).

Umpires: Troy Pannell, Luke Farmer, Jordan Bannister.

Official Crowd: 52,564 at MCG.

The Age