Carlton began season 2010 with a bang, by blasting out of the blocks and ultimately beating Richmond by 56 points in Thursday night's season opener at the MCG.

Five goals in the first 13 minutes made for a scintillating start in the post-Brendan Fevola era and one that proved decisive, as the Blues won 18.12 (120) to 9.10 (64).

Jarrad Waite made a great return in his first game after a knee reconstruction with the first goal in an influential performance, while Eddie Betts made up for being disciplined during the pre-season with three goals.

The Blues' early burst kept Richmond at arm's length, but they did not put the Tigers away until the last quarter, when they kicked four goals to none.

Richmond's defeat condemned new coach Damien Hardwick to a first-up loss, and soured the Tigers' farewell for favourite son Matthew Richardson, who was given a send-off before the game after retiring late last year.

The Tigers at least fought harder than in last year's debacle in this fixture, when they lost by 83 points and Ben Cousins hurt his hamstring.

The difference this time was Richmond could not get their hands on the ball early, and the Blues were too clean with their disposal when it mattered, although they could not maintain the accuracy they had at half-time, when they had booted 11.1.

Waite finished with two goals roaming half-forward, Setanta O'hAilpin booted three goals and the skilful Chris Yarran also kicked three, while big man Matthew Kreuzer was impressive in the ruck.

Carlton played three new faces and a couple had early influence as former Lion Lachie Henderson threaded a nice set shot and ex-Demon Brock McLean curled through a snap in the early blitz.

Richmond blooded four first-gamers and of those Ben Nason impressed with his vigour and kicked a goal, but the Tigers badly lacked players who could have an impact when it mattered.

Richmond strung together two decent patches, with three goals towards the end of the first quarter and three just before half-time, but both periods were more about remaining in the game, as opposed to being a chance of winning it.

Midfielders Daniel Jackson and Ben Cousins tried hard but were outgunned, while key forward Jack Riewoldt kicked two goals and took a couple of strong grabs.

Carlton coach Brett Ratten was pleased to have six players kick two or more goals in the Blues' bid to find a focus in attack since Fevola was traded to Brisbane.

"Today we got a nice spread of three blokes getting three goals which is fantastic for us so I think it just makes us a little bit more unpredictable," he said.

"It is one game that we've had the success with that, so the challenge now is to back that up."

Ratten was pleased with the leadership acting captain Andrew Carrazzo showed in Chris Judd's absence through suspension and singled out Bryce Gibbs for the shut-down role he performed on Richmond midfielder Brett Deledio.

He was also rapt with the way the Blues started the game.

"Right at the start of the game we need to put our mark on the game and I thought McLean and Carrazzo got around the footy and did a great job," he said.

Hardwick was disappointed with the defeat, but vowed the Tigers would not be as bad again over the rest of the season.

"As far as I look at it this is as poor as we're going to get, as poor as I'm going to be as a head coach and the team as poor as it's going to be," he said.

"It's a learning process but we've just to get better a hell of a lot quicker."

Hardwick was encouraged with the first half after recovering from Carlton's blitz, but disappointed from there on.

"The third quarter was diabolical really, missed tackles, turned the ball over and progressively got worse after about two-and-a-half quarters in," he said.

"While there were some really good signs early we were disappointed with the way we faded out."

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