Footy is back! AFL returns to the MCG on Thursday night as the Carlton Blues take on the Richmond Tigers. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:20pm (AEDT).
Richmond have been quiet in the off-season. They didn’t get involved in any major trades and only added Geelong recruit Taylor Hunt to their list, preferring instead to go to the draft and access some youth.
Last year Richmond severely missed Ivan Maric, Alex Rance and Brett Deledio with injury early on, and this saw them languishing at the bottom end of the ladder. However after Maric returned they rattled home to make the finals.
After crashing out of the finals last year, Richmond will need to come out of the blocks firing in 2015, and show all the doubters that they are still on the rise.
On paper, they are placed for a much more even start this year.
Their opponents tonight had a minor clean-out over the off season, they recycled Kristian Jaksch and Liam Jones from other clubs, and promoted youngster Clem Smith. But will this help them climb up the ladder?
It is difficult to say.
After copping a blunt blow from Jonathan Brown mid-week, big-man Tyrone Vickery has missed the cut for the season opening and as a result Richmond look light up forward – this is one area Carlton could close them down. The Tigers will want to move it quickly through their forward line and will not mind if the ball is on the ground a lot of the game.
Prediction
The corresponding game last year saw the Tigers lead all night to hold on and win by 10 points. Richmond is the better team and should kick-start their year with a win here.
Richmond to win by 21 points.
Can Carlton fire up in the first round and justify Mick Malthouse’s optimism for the season, or will Richmond wipe out the memory of their finals loss with a solid first-up win?
Join The Roar from 7:20pm for live score updates and debate in our live blog.
Don Freo
Guest
How much does Kamdyn McIntosh look and play like a young Chris Judd? Pretty spooky!
Darren Connelly
Roar Rookie
Thank You Graham Smith, For a wonderful Update all the time. Awesome Words True Blue. Take care, Have a Wonderful Easter.Cheers Darren
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
Jack Riewoldt quite emotional after win does well to do interview ..well done. Kamdyn McIntosh on debut was up against Judd often tonight and beat him to ball several times.
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
Richmond win their first game and now face the Bulldogs with confidence next week. Carlton fell away after qtr time and still have plenty of developing to do . Jaksch and Jones started well but quickly faded. They now travel to Perth to play the Eagles, I fear they could finish bottom four this year.
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
Richmond win by 27 (prediction was 21!!) They took over from qtr time and were really strong after half time. Their defence is looking good with Rance Chaplin and Grimes being 3 talls doing the job. Kamdyn McIntosh was magnificent on debut. Taylor Hunt also playing his first game for Richmond locked down in the midfeld and ran off with plenty of the ball. Brandon Ellis also ot plenty of it. For Carlton Tom Bell finished strongly with 25 disp and Simpson and Docherty contributed down back Jack Riewoldt led the field with four goals. Carton lost Thomas early with a dislocated shoulder and BrettDeLedio was reported in 1st qtr.
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
FINAL SIREN RIchmond 15.15.105 Carlton 11.12.78 Riewoldt 4 Lloyd Griffiths 3 Jones Menzel Rowe 2
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
GOAL BLUES Rowe kicks his 2nd Blues 78 Tiges 105
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
.50' GOAL TIGERS Grigg kics his 2nd Blues 72 Tigers 105
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
CROWD 83000 What a result for the AFL, I had fears for getting over sixty
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
GOAL BLUES Bell kicks from a mark at 45m Blues 72 Tigers 98 3'
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
3' GOAL TIGERS Gordon scores on the run. Blues 66 Tigers 98
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
GOAL TIGERS Griiffiths kicks 3 from free kick 5' Blues 66 Tigers 92
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
GOAL BLUES 7' Rowe gets free in gsquare Blues 66 Tigers 86 Junk time.
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
The Fat Lady is singing now!!!
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
GOAL Tigers Lloyd kicks his third. Great kick from boundary. 10' Blues 60 Tigers 86
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
GOAL CARLTON 10' Simpson bounces one thru. Blues 60 Tigers 80 There is still time.
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
12' GOAL TIGERS Riewoldt kicks his fourth. Strong mark Blues 54 Tigers 80
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
SUB DeLedio off Gordon On
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
GOAL BLUES 15' Menzel kicks one from a spill near square, his 2nd Blues 54 Tigers 74
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
GOAL TIGERS 18' Riewoldt kicks his third receives pass from McIntosh who had 5 bounces down Southern Stand wing. Blues 48 Tigers 73