IN A frantic start to the season, Carlton's Dale Thomas dislocated a shoulder and Richmond star Brett Deledio was reported in the opening minute of the clubs' showpiece clash at the MCG.

In the first contest of Thursday night's game after the centre bounce, Deledio was reported for a high bump on Blues' big man Simon White, who had his head over the ball.

With seven seconds played, the Tigers midfielder appeared to collect White on the head and was immediately reported by field umpire Brett Rosebury for rough conduct.

The Match Review Panel's new guidelines have so far seen most low impact incidents served with fines instead of suspensions through the NAB Challenge.

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick joked that he was watching a replay at the time of the incident so couldn't comment, but said he was in favour of the new MRP rules.  

"I'm not too sure [about it]. We know Brett's a ball player, I really enjoy the new system," Hardwick said.

Remarkably, the dramatic start the season continued after Deledio's collision.

White's pass to the outer wing led to the passage of play which ended Thomas' night, when he was dumped into the ground in a tackle.

Barely 30 seconds of game-time had elapsed when the big-name Carlton recruit, who had enjoyed a stronger pre-season than his first with the club last year, stretched for the ball and was slammed into the MCG turf.

The Blues confirmed Thomas dislocated his left shoulder in the incident, which saw the 27-year-old leave the field and head to the changerooms.

Carlton medicos were able to pop the shoulder back in almost immediately, the club said.

Thomas, who was substituted minutes after the injury, seeing first-gamer Clem Smith activated into the game, will undergo scans on Good Friday, but coach Mick Malthouse conceded Thomas was unlikely to face West Coast in round two.

It shapes as a significant blow for the Blues, who entered the game hoping for a revitalised showing from the former Collingwood star in 2015.