Preview of AFL Round 1 matches (all times AEDT):
THURSDAY, April 2
Carlton v Richmond at MCG 7.20pm
Head to Head: Blues 125 Tigers 86 drawn 2
Last clash: Round 2 2014 – Tigers 14.14 (98) bt Blues 12.14 (86) at MCG
Tab Sportsbet: Blues $2.60 Tigers $1.52
William Hill: Blues $2.60 Tigers $1.50
After a long, rough pre-season for the AFL, this blockbuster between two traditional rivals is the perfect way to start the real stuff. Much is expected of the Tigers after successive finals campaigns have ended in disappointment, while the Blues are backing youth in veteran coach Mick Malthouse’s third season in charge. After a 3-10 start nearly killed off the Tigers’ season last year, beating their fierce rivals in round one would be a big result.
Key: Levi Casboult v Alex Rance – The young Carlton forward must shoulder a lot more of the scoring burden with the departure of Jarrad Waite and he faces a huge test first up. Rance is coming off his first All-Australian selection and becomes a free agent at the end of the season.
Tip: Tigers by 20 points
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