“Frightening”: Gun Blue and Tiger kids the No.1 talking point

It certainly wasn’t one for the ages at the MCG on Thursday night.

Carlton held on in the end, outlasting Richmond by four points (75-71) in a dour, error-riddled, and at times calamitous yet thrilling and tense encounter at footy’s colosseum.

Some senior players like Patrick Cripps and Jayden Short were excellent for the Blues and Tigers respectively.

Others like Tom Lynch (2.7), Jacob Hopper (18 touches, two clearances), Jacob Weitering and Lewis Young (Lynch’s opponent) might have wished for better individual performances.

Then there were the kids.

Both the Baggers and Tiges fielded some very inexperienced players - and there were four in particular who stood out.

Carlton’s second-gamer Jagga Smith racked up an equal game-high 32 disposals, including 15 in the first term. Emerging defender Harry Dean showed plenty of toughness and grit in just his second senior outing.

Richmond’s No.1 draft pick Sam Lalor was excellent with two goals and 16 disposals, His impact is unquestionable. And debutant Sam Grlj was full of dash and dare with 19 touches five rebound 50s and three inside 50s.

SEN Fireball’s David King and Kane Cornes assessed the performances of that youthful quartet who would have fans from both clubs salivating.

“I just think both fan bases would have thought we've just got some rippers here who are going to take us on a ride for 10 years plus,” King said.

“It was so good to see them just impact the game."

Harry Dean

“It’s hard not to fall in love with the way Dean plays and with the attitude that he's got - not taking any bulls--t -‘I’m just gonna fight the fight. I know I'm not big enough and I know right now I'm not good enough, but I'm in your face’," King said of the 18-year-old.

“Such a great mindset for the Blues.”

Cornes also loved what father-son prospect Dean provided despite having the ball only seven times.

“He's exactly what they need, isn't he?,” said Cornes. “Aggression, he's not gonna give an inch, absolute competitor.

“That is the number one talking point to come out of last night (is the kids)."

Jagga Smith

“Jagga Smith with his 19 in the first half, his work rate to work from contest to contest is what the best midfielders do, and he's got that already," Cornes said of the 2024 Pick 3.

“Ball use not perfect yet, but will be. His speed and his work rate and his high-speed running to get to the next contest - a couple of times he was involved three times in the one play and set up that (vital) George Hewett goal.

“They'd be thrilled.”

Sam Grlj

“Sam Grlj, what he was able to do when Richmond looked really stagnant and really lost for drive and leadership - it was the first-gamer that took a few risks with run and gun," King said of last year's Pick 8.

Sam Lalor

“Lalor we've discussed at length, but this kid is genuinely special," Cornes said.

“I was getting a bit frustrated with the comparisons between Smith and Lalor. I get it, same draft within a couple of selections of each other, but this guy isn't big numbers, he's big impact.

“Terrific in the air. The only problem they're gonna have is where do we play him? They're gonna want him midfield and forward.

“I thought Adem Yze used him really well last night, good midfield taste. Started in there, went shoulder to shoulder with Cripps at a few stoppages, then went forward, was able to kick a couple of goals in crunch times, and I thought he stood up late.

“When he starts getting his 22-23 disposals, he's gonna be absolutely frightening.

“He is the best of the two, Richmond picked the right guy, so any talk that they should’ve picked Jagga Smith because his numbers look great...

“Richmond will be thrilled with that selection, great selection."

Lalor and Grlj will be eager to bounce back with the Tigers when they host the Suns at the MCG next Saturday.

Dean, Smith and the Blues will enjoy a week off after their win before tackling Melbourne in Round 3.