Richmond v Carlton: Player ratings after AFL classic

Richmond spearhead Tom Lynch kicked a crucial goal with less than a minute to go to earn a thrilling equalizer for Richmond in the AFL season opener against old rivals Carlton.

Lynch was the tallest to grab a big hold and score his third goal for the Tigers, tying the scores at 8.10 (58) apiece at the MCG on Thursday night.

The Blues got a final push from the final center rebound, but off-season recruit Blake Acres dropped a mark just outside 50m that would have given him a post-bumper chance to win the match.

Carlton striker Charlie Curnow appeared to have challenged Richmond’s territorial hold with three second-half goals, giving the Blues the lead late in the match.

But Richmond, which enjoyed a 66-45 lead in the front innings, didn’t give up.

A huge crowd of 88,084 was on hand to see which of the two prime ministerial hopefuls would put forward the early claims.

In the end, they were left with more questions than answers. Here, Daily Mail Australia rates and ranks the 46 players who took part in the MCG.

RICHMOND

B: N. Balta (7), N. Vlastuin (6), D. Grimes (6)

MP: N. Broad (6), L. Baker (5), D. Rioli (6)

C: K. McIntosh (6), D. Prestia (5), J. Short (6)

HFs: M. Rioli (7), J. Graham (7), S. Bolton (8)

F: J. Riewoldt (6), D. Martín (7), T. Lynch (9)

NEXT: T. Nankervis (6), T. Taranto (6), J. Hopper (5)

L/C: B. Miller (5), M. Pickett (6), T. Cotchin (6), R. Mansell (6)

Substitute: J. Ross (6)

CARLTON

B: le. Young (7), J. Weitering (6), A. Saad (4)

HB: S. Docherty (7), M. McGovern (6). L. Cowan (7)

C: B. Acres (6), P. Cripps (7), O. Hollands (6)

HFs: J. Martin (6), H. McKay (8), J. Silvagni (7)

F: M. Owies (6), C. Curnow (7), Z. Fisher (6)

NEXT: T. De Koning (7), M. Kennedy (6), G. Hewett (6)

L/C: N. Newman (6), A. Cerra (6), E. Curnow (5), J. Motlop (7)

Substitute: L. O’Brien (6)