Upgraded Tigers duo Brad Miller and Addam Maric a tall order for Blues by: Greg Denham
From: The Australian
March 23, 2012 RICHMOND has given a strong indication of its likely line-up to play Carlton in the opening MCG match of the season on Thursday.
And it's not all good news for the Blues and their makeshift defence, forced on them in round one because of a spate of injuries.
The Tigers will upgrade rookie-list players Brad Miller and Addam Maric, almost certainly meaning they will go with a tall forward structure in an attempt to exploit Carlton's extended injury list, where its backline appears particularly vulnerable.
Miller is in his second season with Richmond after 133 games in nine years with Melbourne, while his former Demons teammate is a strong chance to debut for the Tigers next week after 21 games in four seasons with Melbourne.
Richmond general manager of football operations Craig Cameron yesterday said Miller and Maric would be upgraded to the primary list in place of Kelvin Moore and Dean MacDonald, who have been placed on the long-term injury list.
"They've earned their spots with their good form in the pre-season, and they are obviously in contention for a game next week," Cameron said. "You can make what you want of the upgrades, but we're not picking our side until next week."
Miller, who played 14 senior games for the Tigers last season but none against Carlton in their two clashes last year, will almost certainly be part of a three-pronged tall-forward structure, which will include Jack Riewoldt and back-up ruckman Ty Vickery.
Last year the trio kicked 115 of the Tigers' 300 goals, headed by Riewoldt's 62 goals, while Vickery's contribution was 36.
Carlton's backline has been decimated by injuries to Michael Jamison (back stress reaction), Jeremy Laidler (knee), Nick Duigan (knee) and Simon White (hamstring), leaving it with only four other tall options -- Lachie Henderson, Paul Bower, Matthew Watson and Bret Thornton.
The Blues, who have beaten the Tigers in their past seven encounters, will also be missing Andrew Walker (quadriceps) and ruckman Robert Warnock (shoulders).
Jamison, Matthew Kreuzer and Jarrad Waite have not played together since round 13, 2010.
Carlton hopes Jamison will be fit to resume by round three against Collingwood at the MCG.
The Tigers will introduce up to three new faces against Carlton if Maric and Steven Morris join former Crows ruckman Ivan Maric.
Morris was recruited from the SANFL and traded to the Tigers via Greater Western Sydney last year. The club's first national draft selection in November, Brandon Ellis, is also a chance to make his debut next week.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/afl/upgraded-tigers-duo-a-tall-order-for-blues/story-fnca0u4y-1226307658466
