AFL.com.au's Howard Kotton previews the 2017 season opener between Carlton and Richmond:
SUMMARY
These traditional rivals will open the season again on Thursday night in front of a big crowd, and there is plenty at stake for both clubs. After another huge turnover of players at Carlton in the off-season, expectations are low for Brendon Bolton's team on the back of a poor finish to 2016. While the Blues have been far from impressive in the JLT Community Series, there were a few encouraging signs in their final game against Fremantle, notably the form of key prime-movers Patrick Cripps and Matthew Kreuzer. Richmond is also coming off a disappointing end to last season and needs to start well. All Australian defender Alex Rance has returned from hamstring tendonitis and looms as a major stumbling block for the Blues, given their lack of potency in attack.
WHERE AND WHEN: MCG, Thursday, March 23, 7.20pm AEDT
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
PAST FIVE TIMES
R1, 2016, Richmond 14.8 (92) d Carlton 12.11 (83) at the MCG
R15, 2015, Richmond 10.11 (71) d Carlton 5.11 (41) at the MCG
R1, 2015, Richmond 15.15 (105) d Carlton 11.12 (78) at the MCG
R2, 2014, Richmond 14.14 (98) d Carlton 12.14 (86) at the MCG
1EF, 2013, Carlton 18.8 (116) d Richmond 14.12 (96) at the MCG
THE SIX POINTS
1. When these clubs last met, in round one of 2016 at the MCG, the Blues led by nine points at three-quarter time. Richmond finished strongly, kicking four goals to one to win narrowly. Patrick Cripps was best on ground, earning three Brownlow votes with 27 disposals and one goal.
2. Both clubs struggled in 2016 in several vital statistical categories. In tackling Carlton was 15th and Richmond 18th. The Blues were last in centre clearances and both clubs finished in the bottom four for average goals a game.
3. Richmond has had the better of Carlton recently, winning the past four matches and five of the past seven. The Blues have not won since the 2013 first elimination final at the MCG.
4. At the beginning of this season Richmond has an experience advantage over Carlton, with an average age of 23 years, 344 days to 23 years, 316 days. The Tigers have an average career games of 62 to the Blues' 52.
5. At the MCG in 2016 the Blues lost six of nine games, which included five of their past six. Richmond broke even with seven wins from 14 games, but finished with three losses from its past four games.
6. Patrick Cripps completed a remarkable rise up the Schick Hydro Official AFL Player Ratings last season, climbing from 351st to 44th (447.8 points) to be the Blues' top-ranked player. Richmond's highest-ranked player is key defender Alex Rance at 27th (476.7 points), followed closely by Dustin Martin at 30.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Marc Murphy
The Carlton skipper will make his much-anticipated return after missing the final 12 rounds last season with an ankle injury. The experienced midfielder has enjoyed his first injury-free pre-season in five years and is raring to go, adding plenty of class to the Blues' line-up.
