Old Victorian rivals Carlton and Richmond collide in the annual Thursday night MCG blockbuster to open Round 1 as the Tigers welcome back a host of stars.
The Blues (1-0, 101.2%) will hope to continue their scintillating form from the second half of last week’s crazy comeback win over Brisbane at the Gabba, though they’ll need to get by with the rest of the season without Sam Docherty (AFL).
The Tigers (0-1, 60.6%), booted by Tom Lynch, Dustin Martin and skipper Toby Nankervis, sit at the bottom of the ladder after a poor first up showing against former coach Damien Hardwick and Suns despite fighting back late.
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Lynch’s game time to be managed | 01:53
New Richmond coach Adem Yze swung the axe as a result, dropping Jacob Koschitzke, Sam Naismith, Sam Banks and Samson Ryan.
MATCH UPDATES
There were no late changes, with Corey Durdin (Carlton) and Rhyan Mansell (Richmond) named the starting subs.
Last week’s clutch hero, Harry McKay, stepped up early with the opening goal from a set shot to get Blues fans up and about at the MCG.
McKay then set up the Blues’ second goal after curling a kick to Matt Kennedy deep in forward 50 as he bombed it through the big sticks.
“Just looks physically and mentally like he’s in such good shape,” Channel 7 caller James Brayshaw said of McKay. “Got a real spring in his step the big power forward.”
After nearly 12 months out of the game, Tom Lynch kicked Richmond’s first in a boost for his confidence, while Shai Bolton was busy early for the Tigers.
Lynch kicked another goal after receiving a free kick for front on contact in a dreamy start to the star forward’s return.
This match gets underway at 7.30pm AEDT from the MCG.
Watch it live on Fox Footy (channel 504) from 6.30pm AEDT.
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Source Agencies
