RICHMOND's round one team will feature 20 of its 22 premiership players from last season, with the game confirmed to go ahead as scheduled despite the global COVID-19 outbreak.
Both the Tigers and the Blues had lodged their final teams before the match was confirmed to take place, with the League since officially revealing that the season-opener will proceed as planned.
ALL THE TEAMS Round one line ups
Exciting youngster Sydney Stack replaces the departed Brandon Ellis as one of only two changes to the Richmond side that defeated Greater Western Sydney in last year's Grand Final.
All Australian defender Bachar Houli is also replaced from that team, having hurt his calf at training on Tuesday, with Jack Graham overcoming a shoulder injury to come into the side.
Ruckman Toby Nankervis has proved his fitness following a summer plagued by an adductor injury, with young deputy Callum Coleman-Jones named as an emergency despite playing both Marsh Community Series fixtures.
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Carlton coach David Teague had already announced earlier on Wednesday that new recruits Jack Martin and Jack Newnes would make their club debuts after off-season moves from Gold Coast and St Kilda respectively.
They join returning co-captain Sam Docherty in the side, who is due to play his first senior game in more than two years after successive ACL injuries.
MATCH PREVIEW Richmond v Carlton
However, the Blues are without important attacking trio Charlie Curnow (knee), Harry McKay (groin) and Eddie Betts (calf). Key defender Caleb Marchbank (knee) has also joined them on the sidelines.
But young defender Sam Petrevski-Seton will feature, having missed the club's Marsh Community Series campaign due to an ongoing quad injury.
Thursday, March 19
Richmond, Carlton, MCG, 7.25pm AEDT
RICHMOND
B: Nathan Broad, Dylan Grimes, David Astbury
HB: Jayden Short, Nick Vlastuin, Liam Baker
C: Josh Caddy, Dion Prestia, Jack Graham
HF: Daniel Rioli, Shane Edwards, Jason Castagna
F: Tom Lynch, Dustin Martin, Jack Riewoldt
FOLL: Ivan Soldo, Trent Cotchin, Kane Lambert
I/C: Marlion Pickett, Shai Bolton, Toby Nankervis, Sydney Stack
EMERG: Jack Ross, Callum Coleman-Jones, Ryan Garthwaite, Kamdyn McIntosh
CARLTON
B: Lachie Plowman, Liam Jones, Sam Docherty
HB: Nic Newman, Jacob Weitering, Sam Petrevski-Seton
C: Sam Walsh, Patrick Cripps, Jack Newnes
HF: Paddy Dow, Mitch McGovern, Jack Martin
F: Michael Gibbons, Levi Casboult, Jack Silvagni
FOLL: Matthew Kreuzer, Marc Murphy, Ed Curnow
I/C: Kade Simpson, Will Setterfield, Zac Fisher, David Cuningham
EMERG: Tom Williamson, Marc Pittonet, Sam Philp, Lochie O'Brien
NEW: Jack Newnes (St Kilda), Jack Martin (Gold Coast)
