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History
In honour of our 150th season I thought Id do a brief historical synopsis as part of the match preview.
On June 13th, in round 8 of the 1908 season at Princes Park, Carlton played their first VFL game against the newly admitted Richmond, with the Blues running out winners 17.13.115 to 2.15.27. The return game in round 17 at Punt Road was a lot closer, with Carlton successful by just 7 points (6.12.48 to 4.17.41.)
Since 1908, the two clubs share a relatively ambivalent history interrupted by occasional bouts of rivalry. This first really took off in the 1970s, during a number of hard fought grand finals which saw the highly fancied Tigers lose in 1972 despite both sides kicking record scores (Carltons score is still the highest ever in a Grand Final), before the Tigers would even the score in 1973 after disgracefully playing the man rather than the ball resulting in injuries to the legendary John Nicholls, while Southby was king hit and unable to return in the second half due to concussion.
The Blues took a strong step ahead in 1982, thanks in part to the naked endeavors of one Helen D'amico a t a critical time, which some in the Richmond camp believe helped turn the momentum in the Blues way leading to another flag victory over the Tigers, and the last time these two sides would face off in a final until 2001.
In 2001, the Blues would face the Tigers in a semi final which saw the Tigers end the Blues season with an 11 point Victory in front of more than 83,000 at the MCG.
In 2008, the AFL saw fit to begin a new "tradition" by scheduling the Blues to play the season opener against the Tigers at the MCG. After the Tigers won Round 1, 2008, they would fail to win another game against the Blues until Round 1, 2013, although they lost the return bout the same year in Round 17.
At the close of 2013, the Blues met the heavily favoured Tigers in an elimination final at a packed MCG, and despite being 32 points down at one stage, the Blues were able to get ahead in the second half and finish with a twenty point victory over Richmond.
Match Overview (may need editing pending results tomorrow)
The Mighty Blues are expected to be on the hunt for their first win of the season after falling in a tough match against the Power at Etihad on Sunday, while the Tigers are fresh from yet another Queensland defeat at the hands of the Gold Coast. Last time these two sides met a heavily favoured Richmond side fell before a relentless Blues outfit which has only lost to the Tigers once in it their last dozen outings.
The Tigers are expected to be keen to avenge their loss in the finals, as well as make up for lost time this season after the unexpected loss to Gold Coast in round 1. The Blues, will be trying to get their first win in Mick Malthouses second season as coach.
For the Blues, new but experienced blood in Dale Thomas and Andrejs Everitt has entered the side, ex Captain Chris Judd is expected to be missing from this match, while Andrew Carazzo is a chance to recover in time, with Sam Docherty expected to begin his return a week later with the VFL side. For the Tigers, Ivan Maric will not be playing, giving former Blue Shaun Hampson a chance to prove himself against the Blues ruckman who were continually preferred in the first ruck role ahead of him at Carlton for so many years.
Possible Carlton Line Up
FB: Walker, Watson, Touhy
HB: Yarran, Jamison, Everitt
C: Thomas, Simpson, Curnow
HF: Garlett, Henderson, Robinson
FF: Kreuzer, Waite, Menzel
R: Warnock, Murphy, Gibbs
I: Mclean, Lucas, McInnes, Ellard.
Key match ups
Forward
Up forward, Waite has had a full preseason for the first time in living memory, and while his returns have been sparse in the preseason, Richmond will not have forgotten his 4 goals against them in the Elimination Final. The probable move of Watson into full time defense should allow Henderson to also move forward, and add Kreuzer into the mix, and the Blues will be playing their tallest regular forward line since the early part of the century. The addition of swing men Walker and Everitt, plus regular speedster Garlett and improving small forward Menzel could make this a nightmare for a Richmond defence.
Midfield
Dale Thomas presents an added bow to a quiver that will be missing Chris Judd and Andrew Carazzo. Curnow was recently named one of the leagues best taggers and he will likely find himself on either Cotchin or Deledio, the two men most likely to cause problems for the Blues mids.
Defence
Tyrone Vickery has caused considerable problems for the Blues defenders in the past, while Jack Riewoldt has tended to be well held. In the past the Blues have lacked answers to Vickery, and the win or loss could depend on shutting the big man down. Henderson may start forward, but whether he finishes the game there could depend on this outcome.
Rucks
With Maric out, and Vickery being turned into a permanent forward, it falls to former Blue Shaun Hampson to prove his worth to Tigers supports and those who doubted him in Navy Blue, when he takes on the men consistently preferred ahead of him, in what should be a fascinating battle.
Prediction
History is on the Blues side here, the Blues have had some sound additions to the lineup that should make up for the loss of Judd. Predict a relatively close game, with the Blues to run out victors by 21 points.
TV Coverage
Finally
http://membership.carltonfc.com.au/
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