WHERE AND WHEN: MCG, Thursday, March 29, 7.45pm
LAST TIME: Carlton 28.16 (184) d Richmond 12.9 (81), round 15, 2011, at MCG
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
This is a mouth-watering clash. Carlton is widely tipped to play off in the Grand Final and yet many pick it to lose its opening-round clash to the once hapless Tigers. The key is NAB Cup form. Richmond's scalps included Hawthorn and Geelong while Carlton lost all five games. It remains to be seen whether the Blues can overturn that form when the real stuff begins.
Richmond
1. Dustin Martin's performance in gaining 12 possessions in the first quarter of the Tigers' NAB Cup match against Geelong posed a juicy question. Could the Tigers' midfield actually mix it with the best midfields in the competition? Trent Cotchin and Nathan Foley were in fine form during the NAB Cup, while Brett Deledio kicked four goals in his return from a hamstring injury. Carlton's much-heralded midfield would seem to hold no terrors for the Tiger tyros.
2. Jack Riewoldt last year kicked six goals in a losing team in the opening-round match against Carlton. So what could he do against the Blues' depleted backline on Thursday night? Riewoldt started the pre-season late, having recovered from a series of operations after the 2011 season, but he was jumping out of his skin during the NAB Cup games, especially, it should be noted, when he was moved upfield against Fremantle. Lachie Henderson is likely to be his opponent. He would want to be completely on his game or he'll be munched.
3. Defenders Steven Morris and Brandon Ellis are likely to be Richmond's two AFL debutants, while Addam Maric will play his first game in the yellow and black after turning out for 21 games at Melbourne. Morris and Ellis are a study in contrasts regarding their kicking. Morris needs to add some shine while Ellis's kicking could barely be shinier. The 18-year-old was entrusted with kick-in duties during the NAB Cup. It'll be interesting to see whether he'll receive the same trust in a big match in front of 80,000 fans.
4. Richmond's kicking has long been considered deplorable, but the stats now say otherwise. While the Tigers were ranked 15th in kicking efficiency in 2010, they rose to become the 10th most efficient team by foot in 2011 and the fifth most efficient team last year. Carlton was ranked below Richmond last year. The Blues did, however, have the fewest clanger kicks in 2012 while Richmond was ranked second on that score. If the Tigers show more composure than the Blues with their kicking skills, they can win.
Carlton
1. How will the Blues' makeshift defence hold up? With Michael Jamison, Nick Duigan and Jeremy Laidler looking on from the stands, Brett Ratten has called on the likes of Paul Bower and Jordan Russell to step in and play a role.
2. Chris Judd and his blue-chip midfield corps will need to ease the pressure on the back six. The skipper had an interrupted pre-season thanks to pre-Christmas shoulder surgery and looked rusty when he did take the field. He'll need to be right back at his peak here.
3. Carlton has won its last seven matches against Richmond. The Blues can rightfully feel like they've had a mental edge over the Tigers over that period, but solid pre-season form and the recent signings of Damien Hardwick and Brett Deledio has them up and about at Punt Road.
4. Mitch Robinson will play his 50th AFL game. The combative midfielder quickly became a fan favourite with his hard-headed approach and he has plenty of skill to boot. He made great strides forward in the second half of last season and looms as a key figure in 2012
