Tigers must fire in AFL opener: NewmanRoger Vaughan
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19:32 AEST Mon Mar 25 2013Former captain Chris Newman has stressed the need for Richmond to perform this Thursday night on one of their biggest stages for the AFL season.
The Tigers will take on Carlton in the traditional round-one blockbuster at the MCG, a game certain to attract at least 70,000 fans.
Richmond improved last season to finish 12th and but for a string of tight losses, they could have made the top eight for the first time since 2001.
Adding to the expectation at Punt Rd, their victims last year included grand finalists Sydney and Hawthorn.
But Richmond have only beaten Carlton once in round-one games since it became an annual match in 2007.
More than once, Carlton have brutally exposed pre-season Richmond confidence as nothing more than wishful thinking.
"I felt it last year - when we're up and running and play at our best, we don't really fear any team in the competition," Newman said.
"We're really looking forward to the challenge this year presents.
"That's why it's so important this week to get off to a positive start."
Newman also agreed that Richmond's playing list was in its best shape since he joined the club 13 years ago.
Richmond and Carlton normally open the season, but there were two matches last weekend.
Newman said that would do nothing to diminish the enormity of Thursday's game.
"I still sort of think in my mind it's the season opener," he said.
"It has that same buildup ... there's always a lot of pressure."
He is eager to see the Richmond debut of key defender Troy Chaplin, who moved from Port Adelaide under free agency.
"I'd be looking forward to him wrestling the big monsters in the goalsquare and also getting off and running and creating," Newman said.
"So far he's been pretty limited in what he can do, but no doubt he's fit and firing.
"I know he's very much looking forward to getting out in front of a big crowd (for) round one."
Newcomer Nick Vlastuin could also make his AFL debut in Thursday night's big match after a solid pre-season.
"He's every chance," Newman said.
"He's right up Damien's (coach Damien Hardwick) alley the way he plays - he's very tough and hard and uses the ball very well.
"He's given himself every opportunity."
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