A few thoughts on Carlton's 20-point win over Richmond at the MCG on Thursday night.

• Carlton needed a spark in the last quarter and who else provided it but Chris Judd. The dual Brownlow medalist had 10 touches and kicked a goal to get his side back into the match. A super player and the Blues are lucky to have him, but Brett Ratten must wish he had another player to turn to when the side needs a spark.
• The Blues need Michael Jamison and Paul Bower back in the side. Bret Thornton, who they were hoping to throw forward this year, looked all at sea against Jack Riewoldt.
• Nice debut for Carlton by Ed Curnow, formally of the Box Hill Hawks, Indeed, it is a big weekend for the Hawthon affiliate with Cam Pedersen (North Melbourne) and Lucas Markovic (Western Bulldogs) also named to play their first games.
• Eddie Betts was terrific for the Blues. Nice touch to see the presentation from Syd Jackson after the game, as well.
• Riewoldt booted six for the Tigers and was in mid-season form. Great on the surface, but not what Damien Hardwick was after, either. Riewoldt booted 78 last year, Andy Collins (now at Carlton) was next best with 15 and Hardwick wants a more even spread than that. It didn't happen on Thursday night.
• Richmond used the substitute rule to give Nathan Foley as much game time as he can as he gets back into AFL footy after two years of injuries. Then on came Daniel Connors to run the game out. The Blues lost Jarrad Waite to concussion and brought on Kane Lucas. There were fears the Blues might have been too tall in the final quarter, but Shaun Hampson stood up with some nice grabs and important goals at the end.
• Different stripe, but same failing. Bachar Houli, now of Richmond still sprays the ball too much.
• It wasn't a match of the highest standard and lacked the drama of 2009, but it was certainly the most entertaining of the four Carlton-Richmond openers. Results over the rest of the year will determine whether the AFL persists with the match-up in 2012, but the 60,000 crowd was a tad disappointing. can anyone explain why Collingwood, as the reigning premier, doesn't get to host the first game of the season?