MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 19: 2020 AFL Round 01 match between the Richmond Tigers and the Carlton Blues at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 19, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photos by Michael Willson/AFL Photos)
What it means for Richmond: A win – and a big one – will declare that the strong force that stormed to last year's premiership is just as motivated and gunning for another.
What it means for Carlton: It would be a massive statement to upend the premiers in the season-opener, especially given it hasn't won the round one clash since 2012.
The stat: Will Dustin Martin get off the chain? In the last three season-openers, he's cleared 30 disposals and been an influence, especially in 2017 when he booted four goals as well.
The match-up: Trent Cotchin v Patrick Cripps
They starred in last year's opening round, so we're looking forward to seeing the competition's No.43-ranked midfielder from 2019 (Cotchin) versus the No.6 overall (Cripps).
In the spotlight: Jack Martin
He had to go the long way around to get to the Blues from Gold Coast, and he'll be keen to show he was worth all the trouble when he runs out on the big (fan-less) stage.
Big call: Marlion Pickett to kick the game's first goal (and four for the night), starting his season on the same fairytale note he ended his 2019 campaign on.
Prediction: Tigers by 23 points
Fast-starting Tigers shake off brave Blues in eerie opener
Richmond has opened the 2020 season with a comfortable win over Carlton
Jack Riewoldt celebrates one of his three goals. Picture: AFL Photos
AMONG all of the uncertainty that has faced the globe this year, there was something comforting about the familiarity of Richmond's first-half dominance on Thursday night.
Beginning the season without fans in an eerie MCG atmosphere due to the supporter lockout in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, the reigning premiers did enough throughout a rampant start to the game to hold off Carlton's brave late surge.
07:09
The Tigers' 24-point win was architected in the first term, where they booted the opening five goals of the match to lay the foundations for their comfortable 16.9 (105) to 12.9 (81) victory.
Carlton kicked six of seven goals on either side of three-quarter time to ensure the contest was given late life, but the reliability of Richmond stars like Jack Riewoldt, Dustin Martin and Trent Cotchin ensured the Tigers won their 10th straight outing over the Blues.
00:36
Riewoldt kicked three early goals, while Martin (24 disposals, one goal) and Cotchin (19 disposals, seven score involvements) ensured Richmond had the legs to hold off a late fightback from its opponents.
Recruit Jack Martin was Carlton's standout, booting four third-quarter goals in an impressive display. But ultimately it wasn't enough as the Blues were made to rue a lethargic start.
Jack puts the early jets on Richmond's dominant opening quarter was inspired by Jack Riewoldt. The star forward took four grabs inside 50 in the first term alone, while kicking two goals and also providing another for Jason Castagna in the goal square. He manhandled his direct opponent Liam Jones, providing the Tigers with the perfect outlet to build a 31-point quarter-time lead. Of course, he was helped with some scintillating ball use through the corridor by Richmond's classy batch of midfielders. He finished with three goals from five marks and again looks like an early Coleman Medal contender.
00:33
Blues have their own 'Jumping Jack' In the absence of more traditional marking targets, Jack Martin was the standout in the Carlton attacking group. His third quarter displayed all of the qualities he has promised throughout his 97-game Gold Coast career. He was a threat in the air, lively on ground level and showcased his trademark physicality out of possession. He kicked four goals from five disposals for the quarter alone, ensuring the Blues kept the scoreboard somewhat respectable. His recruitment via the pre-season draft already looks worth the wait.
00:36
The goal that broke the Blues' back Daniel Rioli running into an open goal midway through the second quarter might have otherwise appeared rather innocuous. But it was the goal that killed Carlton. Trailing by 23 points at the time, the Blues had enjoyed 85 percent of the ball in their forward half throughout the first 12 minutes of the second quarter. Yet they'd kicked just one goal. Rioli then countered, put one through against the run of play and virtually finished the match as a contest. Just a few minutes later, Richmond's half-time lead was 46 points.
From a full house, to this… Very few players make their debut in front of 100,014 people. Even fewer play their second game in front of 0 people. Marlion Pickett has achieved that rare feat, though. It was always going to be hard for Pickett to replicate his stunning maiden appearance, which came in last year's Grand Final, but he was exciting in glimpses on Thursday night. He didn't win much of the footy, finishing with just 14 disposals for the match, but his balance in possession and his ability to ease away from stoppages with speed and class was a highlight.
00:33
Weitering finally finds a way of limiting Lynch Tom Lynch has a long history of putting Carlton to the sword. In nine prior games against the Blues, Lynch had kicked 33 goals. But on Thursday night, Jacob Weitering finally found a way of limiting his impact. His positioning out of possession was near-perfect, while he wasn't dragged into the type of physical battles against his 199cm opponent as he has been in the past. Lynch was goalless and didn't take a mark from just nine disposals, with Weitering able to have an effective impact going the other way as well.
AFL 2020 Round 01 - Richmond v Carlton
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 19: 2020 AFL Round 01 match between the Richmond Tigers and the Carlton Blues at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 19, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos)28
MEDICAL ROOM Richmond: The Tigers have had a blessed run on the injury front, but there is one concern stemming from Thursday night with defender Nick Vlastuin forced from the contest after failing a concussion test. Vlastuin copped a whack to the head midway through the third quarter and wasn't seen again.
00:38
Carlton: The Blues were dealt an early blow midway through the first quarter, with Matthew Kreuzer landing awkwardly on his foot after a ruck contest. He wasn't seen for the remainder of the match, with Levi Casboult forced into the ruck for the rest of the game. Running defender Nic Newman appeared to hurt a taped elbow during the second quarter, but returned. Mitch McGovern also went down to the rooms after a marking contest, but finished the match.
00:27
NEXT UP Richmond is due to return to the MCG to face Collingwood next Thursday night, while Carlton is scheduled to head across town to Marvel Stadium to meet the Western Bulldogs on Saturday afternoon.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 19: 2020 AFL Round 01 match between the Richmond Tigers and the Carlton Blues at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 19, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photos by Michael Willson/AFL Photos)
