Details: MCG, Thursday 19 March, 7.40pm (AEDT)

Broadcast: Channel 7/7Mate, Fox Footy, AFL app 

THE GAME IN FOCUS:

After a strong finish to 2019, the slate has been wiped clean and Carlton will be looking to start the season on a high note. 

It’ll be the biggest possible test first up, with the Blues to take on the reigning premiers first-up.

While the game is being played under unprecedented circumstances, it will be all systems go from the first bounce as Carlton runs out under David Teague in his first season as permanent Senior Coach.

Club news
It's on: AFL confirms Round 1 will go ahead

LAST TIME WE MET:

The last time the Blues faced the Tigers was at a rainy MCG in Round 21, where the Blues suffered a 28-point loss to the eventual premiers.

The defensive unit was the standout, with Liam Jones and Jacob Weitering fighting admirably and restricting Tom Lynch and Jack Riewoldt to two goals each.

Mitch McGovern - who has been named at centre half forward tonight - made his return after an intense training block, kicking two important goals in the second half.

Inaccuracy was to the Blues’ detriment on that day: they’ll have to take their opportunities tonight.

BLUE FOCUS:

It’s footy not like we’ve ever seen it before.

Playing without a crowd will be hard for Carlton to adjust to, with this game averaging a crowd of over 81,000 in the last five meetings.

It will be an adjustment for both teams to get revved up without the aid of their many supporters, but once the ball is bounced, the months of preparation will come to the fore.

At the end of the day, its Richmond at the MCG in Round 1. It’s going to be interesting. 

GET EXCITED ABOUT:

A pair of Jacks will be debuting in the Round 1 side: Martin and Newnes have been selected to play after joining Carlton in the off-season. 

Martin and Newnes both showed promise in pre-season training as well as in the Marsh Community Series matches, with the former named across half forward while the former Saint will line up on a wing.

00:42

Team Selection | Round 1

View the team for the season opener against Richmond.

BLUE VIEW:

This will be the first time that Patrick Cripps and Sam Docherty run out together in an AFL match as co-captains. It’ll also be the first time they’ve been teammates in 984 days.

Docherty was confirmed to make his return to AFL footy after missing the last two seasons with injury.

Suffice to say, Carlton fans will be excited at the prospect of seeing these two leaders on the field together, captaining the side together in-season for the first time.