After a longer than normal build-up, due to the cricket World Cup, the new AFL season kicks off tomorrow (Thursday) night with what shapes an absorbing battle between arch rivals Richmond and Carlton, in front of a huge MCG crowd.

The Tigers may have finished above the Blues on the ladder last year, and be favourites going into this Round 1 encounter, but that will amount to nothing when the two teams lock horns on the big stage.

Find our all you need to know about Round 1 pre-game activities

With the first four points of the season up for grabs, this is bound to be a traditionally tough, uncompromising Richmond v Carlton contest.

Richmond’s only opening round success against Carlton in Damien Hardwick’s time as coach came in 2013, when it held on to win by five points. 

The Tigers in fact, have lost 11 of their past 13 games clashes with the Blues, so they are fully aware of the assignment facing them on Thursday night.

Respective captains Trent Cotchin and Marc Murphy had limited game time during the AFL’s pre-season series due to slight injury concerns, but they are both fit and ready to lead the way for their teams through their inspirational on-field efforts.

Re-live what happened the last time Richmond played Carlton

The duel between star Richmond spearhead Jack Riewoldt and key Carlton defender Michael Jamison could well be a pivotal factor in the outcome of the match.

Riewoldt has managed a moderate return of 11 goals in eight games opposed to Jamison, but is raring to go after his first full pre-season for several years.

“Jack’s had some good success taking him (Jamison) up the ground and moving him around.  And Jamison’s had some success as well by playing really tight on Jack,” Richmond assistant coach Brendon Lade said on this week’s ‘Spotlight’.

“So that’s a good match-up and something we need to work in our favour in our forward line.”

Where:  MCG
When:  Thursday, April 2, 7.20pm (EST)
TV coverage:  Channel Seven (live from 7pm), Fox Footy (live from 7pm)
Radio coverage:  3AW, SEN, Triple M, ABC

The Richmond team
B: Chaplin, Batchelor, Rance
HB: Houli, Vlastuin, Grimes
C: Ellis, Cotchin, McIntosh
HF: Morris, Edwards, Deledio
F: Riewoldt, Lloyd, Griffiths
R: Maric, Martin, Hunt
IC: Grigg, Newman, Anthony Miles, Nathan Gordon
Em: Petterd, Vickery, Lambert
New:  Taylor Hunt, 24, 184cm, 78kg, from Geelong/Sandringham under 18s/Beaumaris and Kamdyn McIntosh, 20 (turns 21 on April 3), 192cm, 91kg, from Pinjarra/Peel Thunder (WAFL).

See the full team list and how Carlton will line up, presented by Sportsbet.com.au

Richmond v Carlton recent history

Round 2, 2014, MCG

Richmond           6.3          10.6        12.12       14.14  (98)

Carlton                 2.4          5.5          9.7          12.14  (86)

Goals – Richmond:  Vickery 4, Ellis 2, Martin 2, Cotchin, Deledio, S. Edwards, Griffiths, King, Riewoldt.

Leading possession-getters – Richmond:  Cotchin 25, Petterd 24, Grigg 22, S. Edwards 21, Martin 21, Thomas 21, Deledio 20.

Goals – Carlton:  Yarran 3, Everitt 2, Menzel 2, Bell, Garlett, Gibbs, Simpson, Waite.

Leading possession-getters – Carlton:  Murphy 28, Curnow 25, Robinson 24, Simpson 23, Thomas 23, Bell 22, Yarran 21.

Elimination final, 2013, MCG

Richmond           3.5          10.7        12.10       14.12  (96)

Carlton                 2.3          6.5          12.6          18.8  (116)

Goals – Richmond:  Cotchin 2, A. Edwards 2, Maric 2, Vickery 2, Ellis, Martin, Newman, Petterd, Riewoldt, Tuck.

Leading possession-getters– Richmond:  Cotchin 26, Deledio 24, Jackson 21, Houli 20, Rance 20.

Goals– Carlton:  Duigan 4, Waite 4, Betts 3, Garlett 2, Robinson 2, Judd, Scotland, Warnock.

Leading possession-getters– Carlton:  Gibbs 27, Murphy 26, Judd 25, Robinson 21.

 

Round 21, 2013, MCG

Richmond           8.2          10.3        12.7        14.12  (96)

Carlton                 3.2          9.4          13.4        16.10  (106)

Goals – Richmond:  Vickery 3, Ellis 2, Riewoldt 2, Grigg, Jackson, Maric, McGuane, Petterd, Rance, Vlastuin.

Leading possession-getters – Richmond:  Deledio 29, Grigg 23, Jackson 23, Conca 18, Houli 18.

Goals – Carlton:  Casboult 3, Henderson 3, McLean 3, Gibbs 2, Menzel 2, Robinson, Simpson, Tuohy.

Leading possession-getters – Carlton:  McLean 27, Walker 27, Robinson 25, Simpson 25, Gibbs 23, Murphy 23, Scotland 22.

Round 1, 2013, MCG

Richmond           2.9          9.14        14.18       14.22  (106)

Carlton                 3.3          4.6          9.12          14.17  (101)

Goals – Richmond:  Deledio 3, Vickery 3, King 2, McGuane 2, Conca, Houli, Jackson, Martin.

Leading possession-getters – Richmond:  Cotchin 33, Tuck 27, Jackson 24, Grigg 23, Martin 21.

Goals – Carlton:  Betts 2, Garlett 2, Gibbs 2, Judd 2, Kreuzer 2, Murphy 2, Hampson, Yarran.

Leading possession-getters – Carlton:  Gibbs 34, Judd 27, Walker 26, Carrazzo 24, Simpson 22.

 

Round 18, 2012, MCG

Richmond           5.2          5.7          8.11          13.13  (91)

Carlton                 4.2          7.5          10.11       14.11  (95)

Goals – Richmond:  Cotchin 3, Martin 3, Nahas 2, Tuck 2, Grigg, McGuane, Newman.

Leading possession-getters – Richmond: Tuck 31, Cotchin 24, Deledio 22, Grigg 22, Ellis 20, Martin 19.

Goals – Carlton:  Betts 4, Armfield 2, Thornton 2, Bell, Carrazzo, Casboult, Garlett, McLean, Murphy.

Leading possession-getters – Carlton:  Murphy 36, Carrazzo 27, McLean 27, Scotland 27, Curnow 25, Gibbs 20.

Richmond v Carlton head-to-head

  • Richmond has played Carlton 213 times for 86 wins, 125 losses and two draws.
  • Richmond last defeated Carlton in Round 2 of the 2014 season – 14.14 (98) to 12.14 (86).
  • Richmond has won just two its past 13 games against Carlton.
  • Richmond and Carlton have met six times in Grand Finals, with the Tigers winning four – 1921, 1932, 1969, 1973, and the Blues winning two – 1972, 1982.
  • Richmond and Carlton have met in 23 finals all-up, with the Tigers winning 16, losing six and drawing one.
  • Richmond and Carlton have played two drawn games – Round 1, 1960 and the 1972 second semi-final.
  • Richmond’s best winning sequence against Carlton is six, from 1965-68.
  • Richmond’s longest losing sequence against Carlton is 24, from 1908-1918.
  • Richmond’s highest score against Carlton is 25.24 (174), in Round 1, 1978 at the MCG.
  • Richmond’s lowest score against Carlton is 2.9 (21), in Round 10, 1958 at Princes Park.
  • Richmond’s greatest winning margin against Carlton is 85 points, in Round 7, 2005 at the MCG.
  • Richmond’s greatest losing margin against Carlton is 115 points, in Round 14, 1984 at Princes Park.
  • The most goals kicked in a match by a Richmond player against Carlton is 10 by Sel Murray, in Round 7, 1945.
  • Richmond’s biggest-ever crowd was in the 1969 Grand Final against Carlton – 119,165.