The Blues are set to launch the 2017 AFL season and tame the Tigers in a blockbuster battle at the MCG.
Can the navy blue troops swamp the yellow and black to claim victory in the traditional season openerr?
ROUND 1
Carlton v Richmond
Thursday 23 March
MCG, 7:20pm AEST
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Played 216
Carlton 125
Richmond 89
Draws 2
LAST TIME THE SIDES MET
Round 1, 2016, MCG
Richmond 14.8 (92) d Carlton 12.11 (83)
WEATHER FORECAST
Partly cloudy – top of 24 degrees.
CARLTON DEBUTANTS
At the end of 2016, Carlton became home to 12 new players. When the side returns to the action on Thursday night to mark the beginning of the 2017 season, four of them will sport their navy blue guernseys for the first official time.
The Round 1 clash will see Sam Petrevski-Seton and Jarrod Pickett make their AFL debuts, while Caleb Marchbank and Billie Smedts will take to the main stage for their first time in Carlton colours.
RING OF HONOUR: MIKE FITZPATRICK
Three-time premiership player and two-time premiership coach Mike Fitzpatrck will ring the historic old blue bell at the top of Carlton’s race at 7:05pm, and present the match ball before being inducted into the Carlton Ring of Honour.
Fitzpatrick played 150 games for Carlton after making his debut for the Blues in Round 1, 1975 v Geelong. He won Carlton’s best and fairest in 1979 before being inducted into Carlton’s Hall of Fame in 1992.
MATCH-DAY PARTNER
The Carlton Football Club is proud to have Hyundai as its match-day partner for its Round 1 clash with Richmond.
Make sure you head to the Hyundai Live Site, located on the concourse between Gates 2 and 3 to leave a message of support for the players and join in the pre-game fun.
The first 200 members to present their membership card at the site will receive a limited-edition Carlton scarf.
While you’re there, tell us why you love Carlton FC in the Hyundai hot seat and participate in the boot-to-boot challenge for your chance to win a mini-Hyundai Sherrin.
GAME-DAY ACTIVATIONS
ZTE Match Day Moments
ZTE Match Day Moments is back for 2017. Make sure you find the staff on the concourse before the game for your chance to be on the big screen.
CareerOne
Tell us about your dream career and create a GIF with CareerOne. We’ll be on the concourse between Gates 3 and 4.
Secure Parking
Driving to the game? Secure Parking has you covered. The closest Secure Parking car park to the MCG is located at 12-20 Flinders Lane, Melbourne.
MERCHANDISE
Want to wear what the team wears? The Carlton Shop is your one-stop shop for our new 2017 Carlton merchandise including our latest men’s and women’s range.
Visit us between Gates 3 and 4 – we’ll be open from 5:00pm until 30 minutes after the conclusion of the match.
Alternatively, you can stock up on the latest Blues gear online.
MEMBERSHIP
The journey continues, so make sure you’re on board!
Visit our Membership Hub located outside Gates 3 & 4.
Our friendly membership team will be there to assist you with any enquiries from 5:00pm until 30 minutes after the final siren.
With every access membership purchased, you’ll receive a ticket to Thursday night’s game!
For more information, head to: membership.carltonfc.com.au or call 1300 CARLTON.
TICKETING
The Ticketek box office, located at Gate 3, will open at 4:30pm.
You can also purchase your tickets through Ticketek by visiting www.ticketek.com.au
GENERAL ADMISSION AREAS
Great Southern Stand
Q1-Q7
Q8-Q15 (Rows K-DD)
Ponsford Stand
M34-M36
Q29-Q36
Olympic Stand
Q49-Q57 (Rows K-MM)
CHEERSQUAD ALLOCATION
Bay M3 (Rows A – V)
GATE OPENING
Public gates will open at 5:00pm.
AFL/MCC Reserve will open at 5:00pm.
CARPARK OPENING
Limited car parking will be available at Yarra Park.
Gate 3 – 3:00pm
Gate 5 – 4:00pm
Gate 6 – 4:00pm
Gate 7 – 7:00pm
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
You can take a train, tram or bus to the MCG.
Trams No.75 (City-Vermont South), No.48 (City-North Balwyn) and No.70 (City-Wattle Park) stop within walking distance of the ground.
Jolimont and Richmond Train Stations are within walking distance of the MCG. To get to Jolimont station take Hurstbridge or Epping line trains. To get to Richmond station from the city, take any train on the Lilydale, Belgrave, Alamein, Glen Waverley, Dandenong, Pakenham, Cranbourne, Frankston or Sandringham lines.
The Bus route 246 is run by National Bus Company, which links La Trobe University with Elsternwick Station. The 246 Bus stops on Punt Road.
For more information visit the PTV website.
BROADCAST
Metro TV in Melbourne and Adelaide: Channel 7 (LIVE), Fox Footy (LIVE)
Metro TV in Perth, Sydney, Brisbane: 7mate (LIVE), Fox Footy (LIVE)
Melbourne Radio: 3AW, ABC, Triple M, ABC Grandstand, SEN
Regional Radio: Triple M Bendigo, Triple M Shepparton, MMM Mildura, StarFM Warragul, Crocmedia, NIRS, ABC
FOLLOW THE BLUES ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Snapchat (carlton_fc)
Join in the Round 1 conversation. Hashtag #AFLBluesTigers and show your support for Carlton by using the hashtag #BoundByBlue.
