Finally, with the World Cup of Cricket and tedious off-field football dramas now mercifully negotiated, the game of Australian Rules football once again returns - with two of this competition’s greatest rivals, Carlton and Richmond again opening the home and aways on the vast expanses of the mighty MCG.
As is so often the case, the opening round brings with it so many uncertainties, as supporters of both teams seek to make their conclusions based on their players’ prospective pre-season campaigns.
What we do know is that Richmond, by virtue of finishing five rungs ahead of Carlton on the 2014 League ladder, earns favouritism for a match which will be played out before a massive audience – and it’s fair to say most of the educated judges favour the Tigers to take the points despite finishing on the wrong end of 11 of their past 13 results against the old foe.
Who mans up on who is anyone’s guess - but the potential head-to-head contests are indeed mouth-watering with Murphy-Cotchin, Judd-Deledio and Yarran-Morris amongst the many potential scenarios. Dustin Martin is one midfielder who warrants particular attention, particularly when pushing forward, and while Andrew Carrazzo seems to be the logical minder in midfield, the Carlton’s brainstrust may need to employ another to double-team “Dusty” closer to goal.
Michael Jamison will almost certainly stand Jack Reiwoldt – the latter having managed the moderate return of 11 goals in eight games on the boy from Newlyn – and that much-anticipated duel looms large as pivotal to the overall result.
For the Blues, Kristian Jaksch, Liam Jones and Clem Smith are welcome first-gamers - each one of them faring particularly well through pre-season and the lead-up games – and all power to them.
Whatever happens at Jolimont beyond 7.20 this evening, rarely has an opening round to a VFL/AFL season been more welcome.
As the late Uncle Doug used to trumpet on World Of Sport: “Footy, it’s great to have you back . . . woof!”
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