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The AFL season is finally back with a crowd of in excess of 80,000 expected when the Richmond Tigers take on the Carlton Blues at the MCG. Join The Roar for all the action from 7:20pm (AEDT).
Richmond’s final preseason hit out with Port Adelaide was marred by injuries with the Tigers wanting to raise the white flag and end the game before the final siren. Richmond’s other loss during the preseason was when they took a weakened side to Fremantle.
Conversely, the Tigers did beat an under-strength Hawthorn during the NAB challenge. Bachar Houli will go into Round 1 with a lot of confidence after having 34 possessions against Hawthorn and then 27 possessions against Port.
Richmond are battling a hefty injury lift, and Brett Deledio is one of the names missing with a quad strain – the Tigers’ record is poor when Deledio does not play. Reece Conca will miss seven weeks with a hamstring, Shaun Grigg is is missing with a fractured thumb and Ivan Maric is out with a back injury. That will leave the ruck duties to be shared by Shaun Hampson and Ty Vickery.
In addition, former Blue Chris Yarran will be missing with a foot injury. It has come to light that during the preseason he didn’t meet the fitness standards of his new club, and he is expected to be sidelined for six weeks.
In brighter news for the Tigers, Shane Edwards, who suffered a shoulder injury in the match against Port, is expected to play.
Carlton has had a large turnover of its list over the summer after a disastrous 2015. Tom Bell, Lachie Henderson, Troy Menzel, and Chris Yarran were traded during the offseason. They also have a new head coach in former Hawthorn senior assistant, Brendan Bolton.
Carlton did not register a win during the NAB Challenge but they were competitive against Hawthorn and Sydney. Their loss to Essendon looks terrible on paper but they fielded a very inexperienced side. Nick Graham looks set for a good year with 30 possession against Sydney and 24 against Essendon.
Carlton’s injury list is much smaller than that of the Tigers. They will be missing Dennis Armfield and new recruit Lachie Plowman who has a hip compliant. They will also be missing Dale Thomas for an indiscretion in the Sydney match which will see him return in Round 2.
Marc Murphy is playing despite sitting out the entire NAB Challenge. Murphy has been carefully managed after shoulder surgery in the offseason.
Carlton fans will be looking forward to seeing number one draft pick Jacob Weitering, who was very solid in his two pre-season hit outs. He, along with Sam Kerridge, look to be the pick of the new additions at Carlton.
Prediction
Despite their injury list the Tigers are the clear favourites, but know they need to get off to a strong start to the season to avoid playing in another elimination final.
Richmond by four goals.
Join The Roar from 7:20pm (AEDT) as we bring you all the action from this Round 1 match between these two traditional rivals.
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