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Richmond livewire Shai Bolton has stirred up controversy by taunting Carlton's Sam Docherty as he ran into an open goal during their AFL clash.

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick says Shai Bolton made a mistake in taunting opponent Sam Docherty before kicking an important goal in the Tigers' narrow AFL win over Carlton.

Bolton caused controversy early in the fourth quarter of Thursday night's contest at the MCG when he held the ball aloft in front of the chasing Blues defender while running into an open goal.

It was the first major of the final term in a fiery contest but Bolton's premature celebration almost came back to bite him on the backside as the Tigers rode a late challenge and hung on to win by 15 points.

"It's not us, it's not what we're about and he'll be regretful, no question," Hardwick said.

"He'll be accountable and responsible for it.

"It's certainly not part of who he is and part of what we are.

"We're disappointed but we'll work our way through it and support him and he'll learn some great lessons from it.

"It's not a great look."

The incident seemingly stemmed from an exchange between Bolton and Docherty during a three-quarter time melee, which flared up when Patrick Cripps took exception to a push from Dion Prestia that caused the Blues' skipper to hit his head on teammate Sam Walsh's leg.

The majority of players from both sides rushed to remonstrate with each other as tension boiled over.

Prestia joked on Friday he hoped he wouldn't "get fined for starting anything" but played down the scuffle as "heat of the moment".

He also took exception to Bolton's taunting and expected co-captains Toby Nankervis and Dylan Grimes to address it.

"We want everyone to have a bit of character in the game and show themselves but that's probably something we don't really condone and don't really want to see," Prestia said.

"But I think two minutes after that we saw Shai run down (Lachie) Plowman as well and that's the thing we really want to see."

Hardwick said Bolton's action was likely borne out of frustration after his previous confrontation with Docherty.

"Yeah, probably, but the reality is that's what footy is all about," Hardwick said.

"One of the things we always want to do is honour our competition and that (action) does go against that."

Carlton coach Michael Voss tried to play a straight bat when quizzed on Bolton's decision to taunt Docherty.

"I wouldn't even dare dream to coach a player from another team," Voss said.

"That's for Dimma (Hardwick) to deal with and I'll deal with my own players.

"I'm pretty firm on that.

"If he feels that (action is) adequate, well, that's fine, but I won't be losing any sleep over it."

Meanwhile the AFL has ticked off the score review decision which denied Carlton's Jack Newnes a would-be crucial goal.

Newnes thought he'd snapped Carlton to within three points amid a Blues surge in the fourth quarter but it was ruled Richmond's Nathan Broad had touched the ball off the boot.

Blues coach Michael Voss had believed there wasn't enough evidence to overturn the call.