Disaster averted. Or postponed, depending on your levels of optimism.

The measure of this Carlton win is found in the alternative. The reaction had Carlton lost to Richmond after last week’s Sydney belting requires no imagination. So, while Carlton didn’t kick a goal for 54 minutes and would have lost had Tom Lynch been able to convert even one more of his 10 shots at goal (he kicked 2.7 and one out of bounds), that all means nothing against the fact that this week they won.

A relieved Michael Voss hugs it out with Blues young gun Harry Dean.Credit: Getty Images

They might also question, as Michael Voss did afterwards, whether the free kick for Lynch’s second goal, which brought the Tigers back to less than a kick down with under two minutes to play, was really there. It was. Lewis Young took his eyes off the ball and positioned himself to screen Jacob Weitering and block Lynch.

Last week Carlton lost, and the familiar manner of it set the narrative of the days to follow. This week they won and, despite there being a similarity about the second half fadeout, in victory, 10.15 (75) to 9.17 (71), they regain control of their narrative for the week.

Jagga Smith celebrates after the siren.Credit: Ruby Alexander

Richmond might be a callow side that a more-seasoned Carlton should beat, but Voss feels that undersells the rare significance of playing bitter historic rivals on the MCG in front of big crowds (there were 74,313 people at the MCG on Thursday night). Ladder positions in these blockbuster games become irrelevant.

Tigers coach Adem Yze.Credit: AFL Photos

Richmond coach Adem Yze felt his side probably didn’t deserve to win last year when they came from behind and upset Carlton. He didn’t think that on Thursday night when, this time, he felt his was the better side and deserved the win.

Maybe. Certainly in field play they were the better team for more of the game, but it’s hard to argue you are deserving of more when you are also the architect of your own loss when your full-forward kicks so badly for goal.

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