AFL 2016 Round 1 Preview- Carlton vs RichmondFoxsports
March 22, 2016Date: Thursday 24th March 2016
Venue: MCG, 7.20pm
Pre-Season overviews:Carlton With a new coach and a raft of different players coming into the club, the Blues have shown over the pre-season that there are a lot of talented youngsters to work with. Brendan Bolton has given his young list a chance to impress in the NAB challenge, although with differing results. The Blues will take a while to adapt to a new coach, playing style and revamped playing list.
Richmond: The Tigers have had an interesting pre-season period as they look to atone for their elimination final loss last season to North Melbourne. It all started with the controversial Dustin Martin restaurant incident and when that blew over, Chris Yarran became the centre of attention with his highly documented fitness and attitude concerns. They have had some injuries at the latter stage of the NAB challenge, which will cause apprehension, however the Tigers will remain confident these factors won’t hinder their performance against the Blues on Thursday night.
Possible Round 1 teams:CarltonB: Dylan Buckley Michael Jamison Zach Tuohy
HB: Kade Simpson Sam Rowe Jacob Weitering
C: Blaine Boekhorst Marc Murphy© Sam Docherty
HF: Matthew Wright Liam Jones Nick Graham
F: Sam Kerridge Levi Casboult Andrejs Everitt
R: Matthew Kreuzer Bryce Gibbs Patrick Cripps
I/C: Jed Lamb, Charlie Curnow, Ed Curnow, Simon White
EMG: Clem Smith, Jason Tutt, Andrew Phillips
The Blues are set to roll out a vastly different side opposed to Round 1 of last season. They could play as many as seven new players for this game depending on weather conditions. Jacob Weitering, the number one draft pick is set for a debut and should slot straight into the backline with ease. Another first round draft pick, Charlie Curnow, is a big chance of making his debut. Sam Kerridge and Matthew Wright have both impressed at their new clubs and have earned the nod, whilst Jed Lamb is a chance for a debut since crossing from GWS.
Bolton has a relatively fit and healthy list too choose from, with only two first choice players, Dale Thomas (suspension) and Dennis Armfield(knee) unavailable through injury and suspension. Both these players should be back by Round 2, meaning a lot of fringe players need to impress against the Tigers.
RichmondB: Taylor Hunt Alex Rance Bachar Houli
HB: Nick Vlaustin Troy Chaplin Dylan Grimes
C: Brandon Ellis Anthony Miles Kamdyn McIntosh
HF: Dustin Martin Ty Vickery Sam Lloyd
F: Ben Lennon Jack Riewoldt Shane Edwards
R: Shaun Hampson Trent Cotchin© Corey Ellis
I/C: Jacob Townsend, Kane Lambert, Connor Menadue, Ben Griffiths
EMG: Daniel Rioli, Andrew Moore, David Astbury
Richmond are set to unleash former GWS hard nut Jacob Townsend, who seems to have won the inside midfielder role from Andrew Moore. With a few key injuries, Richmond have included some talented youngsters to compliment it’s experienced players. Depending on weather conditions on Thursday night, don’t be surprised if the slippery and speedy Daniel Rioli gets a late call-up, possibly for Ben Griffiths or Troy Chaplin, who may not fit into the structure of the side for the night.
The Tigers will be without two very important players, star playmaker Brett Deledio(thigh) and the combative ruckman Ivan Maric(back soreness). Richmond will give Shaun Grigg every chance of playing but it seems unlikely as he recovers from a broken thumb, and Reece Conca(hamstring) and new recruit Chris Yarran(foot) are set for lengthy stints on the sidelines.
Key Match Up’sEd Curnow vs. Dustin MartinIn recent times, Dennis Armfield has done an admirable job stopping the star midfielder from Richmond, however with Armfield unlikely to feature on Thursday night, Bolton may turn to Ed Curnow to try and curb Dusty. Curnow needs to shut down Martin’s long kicking and try and limit his possessions in the attacking half of the ground.
Alex Rance vs Levi CasboultRance will most likely start on Casboult on Thursday night, and this may shape Carlton’s ability to score a winnable amount of goals. Playing on the competitions best defender is no easy task, and with a relative lack of support, Casboult must stand up and keep Rance in check.
Jacob Townsend vs Marc MurphyThe hard nut Townsend will leave no stone unturned in trying to disrupt the Blues skipper on Thursday night. Townsend will not play a traditional role but will most likely play close to the playmaker in a bid to stop his creative run and perhaps test his shoulder out. With Murphy’s lack of preparation coming into the season, it is integral he finds a way to fight his way through what looks like a tricky night.
Who will win & why?Although Richmond have lost some key players for Thursday night’s clash, the Tigers should still comfortably win this clash. Richmond seems to have considerably improved its depth through the trade and free agency period, meaning it now has the ability to cover injuries to key players. The Blues will take it’s time finding it’s feet under a new coach and with the amount of fresh faces, may not have the cohesion as a team to pose a significant threat to the Tigers. Richmond has one of the stingiest defences in the competition, whilst Carlton is still two or three forwards short and will struggle to score enough goals to topple the Tigers. The Blues are raw and may find the occasion will get the better of them.
Prediction: Richmond by 29 pointshttp://thecrowd.foxsports.com.au/t5/Premiership/AFL-2016-Round-1-Preview-Carlton-vs-Richmond/m-p/82809
