There was a moment in the split second before Richmond’s Seth Campbell landed his backflip at the MCG where the faces of those in the background of the slo-mo vision summed up the night. For different reasons, the Blues and Tigers fans pictured were deeply confused. For Carlton it was a struggle to reckon with the reality of what was happening. For Richmond it was the unexpected delirium of victory.
Sport should be a zero-sum game. A winner, a loser, balance. Yet, there was a sense that Richmond supporters' jubilation was not as pronounced as Carlton fans' horror.
If the president of your football club was exposed with a d*ck p*c on the internet on his own social media account and then consequently resigned in the aftermath before the season began… you’d be reasonably confident that the most embarrassing moment had been and gone for your team in 2025.
Carlton would like you to hold its beer.
Last week, club CEO Brian Cook told media that top four was his expectation for the famous old dark blues. 41-points up against bitter rivals Richmond on Thursday night it was all going to plan. It didn’t stay that way as Tigers team tipped by some to go winless mowed down their opponents.
It plunges Carlton into chaos after one game.
Don’t take my word for it, listen to Corbin Middlemas, Ben Cameron and Brett Deledio on the excellent ABC AFL Daily podcast. | 
