Tigers must earn their stripes for opener * Jon Ralph
* From: Herald Sun
* March 22, 2011RICHMOND concedes it must begin to give bang for its buck if it is to keep its cherished position playing Carlton in the season opener.
The Tigers start the season on Thursday having lost their past two Round 1 contests against the Blues by a total of 137 points.
They continue to hang on to the lucrative prime time slot despite only one Round 1 win since 2004. And the AFL says they are not guaranteed the contest.
Tigers president Gary March said yesterday the incredible crowds justified the contest. The last three clashes averaged 77,000 fans in the past three years.
But captain Chris Newman is aware the Tigers cannot continue to fail on the big stage and retain a clash that draws members and appeases sponsors.
"I think it's very important for the club," he said.
"This is our home game and it's important in terms of getting members and creating some dollars for the club, but no doubt we have to put on a show.
"Everyone wants to turn their TV on and see a really good game and a really good clash in Round 1, so that's what we plan on doing on Thursday night."
AFL boss Andrew Demetriou last year said Richmond did not have a mortgage on the opening match of the year.
"It's not written down as gospel, as Richmond forever," he said before the Tigers' 56-point loss.
March said yesterday the Tigers were aware of their need to perform under football's bright lights.
"I think there is pressure on us to get out of the blocks a bit better than we have in the past few years, because with a young side confidence gets dented, but it's a process," March said.
"Carlton has been in the finals in the past few years and we would like to keep improving, but when people throw up the chestnut about should we have Round 1's (opener), the average attendance is great. It's pretty hard to argue against it."
March is confident of a strong crowd, ahead of prime-time contests against St Kilda next Friday night, Hawthorn the following Saturday night, then Collingwood on a Friday in Round 4.
"Even though there is no Judd or Cousins factor, I would still be surprised if it's not about 70,000 again," he said. "Carlton has a lot riding on this season and we have expectations to improve, so we want to get away to a good start."
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