Anticipation is building at the Swinburne Centre as the 2026 season approaches. Over the next three days, Richmond Media will preview the reasons why this season will be one you can’t afford to miss.
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Season Opener
It has become a cherished night amongst the Tiger Army.
Early March. The velocity of the summer sun is slowly fading, being replaced by chilly mornings and nights, signifying one thing: football season is here, and there is no better way to kickstart it with Richmond and Carlton doing battle on a Thursday night at the MCG.
A team’s season opener in any sport is one filled with pre-emptive promises of drama and shock. It is no different for the Tigers and Blues. And this fixture has proven one thing to be true time and time again: expect the unexpected.
Look no further than last year, when Richmond produced one of the upsets of the season with its thrilling comeback win. It was a night new Tiger heroes were born, and one Richmond fans will never forget.
When March 12 rolls around, there’s no doubt memories of last season’s clash will flood back into social media feeds, but the 2026 Tigers will be determined to leave their own mark on the season opener and run it back.
This year’s game will be the 19th time Richmond and Carlton meet in the ‘traditional’ season opener (not including the Round 1, 2007 clash, which was played on a Sunday night) with the ledger sitting at 11 Richmond wins, six Carlton wins and one draw.
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Sophomore Sensations
Richmond’s 2024 draft class generated plenty of excitement last season, and the group is set to build on their debut campaigns this year.
Sam Lalor made an instant impact last year with a Round 1 AFL Rising Star nominee, and he went on to win Richmond's Bill Cosgrove/Harry Jenkins Best First Year Player Award. The number one pick has been spending more time training in the midfield throughout the pre-season and is poised to have a big 2026.
Luke Trainor looked right at home at senior level, playing 21 games last season and earning a Rising Star nomination in Round 18. Cool, calm and collected with ball in hand, Trainor projects to be an important part of the line-up again this season.
Key forwards Jonty Faull, Tom Sims and Harry Armstrong have all showcased why fans should be enthusiastic about the future of Richmond’s attacking options. With another year of development under their belt, the only way is up for the talented trio.
Another sophomore who has increased his midfield training time is Taj Hotton, with assistant coach Blake Caracella recently declaring the youngster's "ability to do some things that most players can't is what separates him from the rest”.
Jasper Alger’s recent performances in match simulation are reason to be enlivened about what he can produce, while Josh Smillie continues to work his way through injury. Senior coach Adem Yze has confirmed that Smillie “is three or four weeks away from full training”.
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Josh Gibcus
One of the feel-good stories from 2025 was the AFL return of Josh Gibcus.
The talented defender has endured a wretched run of injuries, with his appearance in the season finale against Geelong his first at senior level since Round 1, 2024.
Since he won the Best First Year Player award in 2022, Gibcus has played just three senior games, but the 22-year-old has enjoyed an injury free pre-season and looks to be set to cement his senior spot in defence this season.
A fit and firing Gibcus will be a sight for sore eyes for everyone at the Swinburne Centre.
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Milestone watch
A host of Richmond premiership heroes could celebrate significant milestones throughout 2026.
Both Dion Prestia and Tom Lynch are in line to reach the 250-game milestone, with the midfield bull on 237 games, and the spearhead forward sitting at 236 games.
Defensive leader Jayden Short is just 10 games away from game 200, while inspirational leader Toby Nankervis is also within reach of the double century, entering the year on 179 games.
No club celebrates its people like Richmond, which will give the Tiger Army plenty to look forward to if the above achievements are hit in 2026.
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New guernsey numbers
Some of the numbers that defined Richmond’s recent premiership era will return in 2026.
Lalor has taken over the famous No. 4, with his fellow draftees also getting new digits. Faull given then No. 8, Hotton the No. 10 and Trainor the No. 11.
Emerging leader Sam Banks will run around in the No. 6, while Liam Fawcett will wear No. 43, representing the draft pick he was selected with back at the end of 2023.
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