RICHMOND and Carlton want a record crowd for their March 22 season opener, and to help it along have re-introduced a gate-sharing agreement. 

The ten-year agreement, back in place after a three-year hiatus, means both clubs will share revenue regardless of who the home team is. 

The round one clash will be the only match between the rivals this season so Carlton, as the away team, will get an agreed fixed payment back. 

If the teams play each other twice, the total revenue from both will be split down the middle.

It's a signal of both clubs' determination to hold on to the precious season-opening slot, which has become a major event in its own right. 

The average crowd for the game since 2007 has been just under 75,000. 

Both clubs are forecasting the 2009 season-opener crowd of 87,043 will be broken next month as the Tigers unveil their premiership flag. 

The announcement follows the surprise switch of Tigers membership guru Cain Liddle from Punt Road to the chief executive position at Ikon Park.

"It’s a great privilege for Carlton and Richmond to be given the opportunity to open the AFL season each year and we are excited to formalise our shared commitment to growing what is one of the AFL’s greatest rivalries," Liddle said.  

"Our members and supporters will be thrilled that Carlton will now benefit financially, irrespective of whether round one is a home or away game and we look forward to working with Richmond to break the all-time attendance record for this game in 2018." 

"Fans of both clubs have voted with their feet, and we expect to break the all-time attendance record for this fixture this year, which will create an exciting atmosphere at the MCG," Richmond CEO Brendon Gale added.