Carlton coach Michael Voss can see his players' belief growing in their AFL premiership pursuit after a powerful third-quarter blitz saw off Richmond's challenge in a 61-point demolition.
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Patrick Cripps and Sam Walsh were outstanding in the decisive period as the Blues surged clear for a fifth straight victory - 20.11 (131) to 10.10 (70) - at a wet MCG on Sunday.
Cripps was best afield with 40 disposals, 14 clearances and a goal as Carlton (11-4) continued to lay the platform for their assault on September.
They solidified their top-two spot, moving six points clear of the chasing pack ahead of an interstate trip to take on GWS next round.
Richmond, who trailed by as much as 29 points during the first half, were within six points when Noah Balta became the game's first multiple goal-kicker with the opening major of the third quarter.
But Cripps and Walsh (26 disposals, two goals) lifted as Carlton reasserted their dominance with seven majors in a devastating 20-minute burst that effectively ended the contest.
"The guys are just believing in how we're trying to play," Voss said.
"When you see it once, it's good, and when you see it twice, you start to get a little bit of confidence out of it.
"When you start to see it a few more times, a belief starts to grow.
"The boys (are) building some confidence out of the back-end of games that they can play that style of football if needed.
"We're not doing it from a negative position - we're doing it from a positive position - and we just want to keep playing with that courage."
Blake Acres (33 disposals), Nic Newman (28) and Matt Kennedy (21) were all busy for Carlton, as was Adam Cerra (23), who was substituted out of his first game back from injury as a precaution.
Kennedy also failed to finish the match, sitting out the latter stages with medial ligament damage in his right knee, while Tom De Koning was a late withdrawal with soreness.
Orazio Fantasia (four) and Lachie Fogarty (three) were the most prolific of six multiple goal-kickers for the Blues in a dominant team display.
Tim Taranto (27 disposals) fought against the tide for Richmond, Daniel Rioli (24) showcased his kicking skills and Jacob Hopper (25) worked hard on his return from a hamstring injury.
Balta was the Tigers' leading goal-kicker with three, while superstar Dustin Martin (seven disposals) was substituted out of his 301st AFL game with a lower back injury.
Tigers coach Adem Yze took positives from his side's strong second quarter, when they fought back into the contest, but conceded they were outclassed by a superior opponent.
"They're one of the best teams and they showed us why in that third quarter," Yze said.
"They got some momentum around stoppage and we tried different things but it was all done in that third quarter.
"We didn't fold in the last quarter but they were just too good."
The result left Richmond (2-13) sitting second-last on the ladder ahead of an interstate trip to face Fremantle next round.
Australian Associated Press
