Tonight they all started with the Victorian hats on by saying the season really starts this week on Thursday night with the first game of the season in Melbourne.
Caro and Lyon said it'll be interesting from the perspective of the loser on Thursday night. Lyon said there's so much hype about both these sides prospects this year and asked to which team is this game more important to? Lloyd said this game is more important for Richmond to win. They wouldn't want to cop another belting. Caro said there's pressure on Malthouse to make the finals this year as well as high expectations at Richmond.
Lyon put up a grab showing Richmond has lost the past four round 1 matches by an average of 50 points and we haven't beaten Carlton in the past 9 meetings.
Hutchy replied that Lyon was focussing too much on the negatives regarding Richmond. The Tigers are ready to go. He said Richmond will win on Thursday night and will finish top 4 this year. He added we've beaten both last year's grand finalists on the MCG. Lyon chipped in Richmond also lost to the Gold Coast. Hutchy said yeah but that can be attributed to a young side. Lyon accused Hutchy of being selective.
Lloyd said Richmond lacks any players with finals experience so they haven't learnt to play on the big stage. Thursday night will be played like a final. The query on Richmond is can they handle that pressure on the big stage.
Caro said if the Tigers get belted again then the AFL will start to seriously consider whether "this mob" deserves to keep this game. Lloyd agreed saying a Port or Melbourne would kill for a game like this.
Caro asked the question if having a big game against Carlton was right for Richmond to start the season. Maybe a not so hyped up game (against a smaller drawing club) would be better? Lloyd replied that it's a cop out if they are blaming the big stage for losing. Caro said they (Richmond) aren't - she was just asking the question. Lyon said in the past this game and this opponent (Carlton) wasn't the right one for Richmond to start the season. However this year it's the right game, right opponent, right time, etc...
