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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Sport
Jonathan Howcroft

Richmond beat Carlton in AFL 2021 season opener – as it happened

Richmond’s Dustin Martin
Richmond’s Dustin Martin breaks a tackle attempt from Carlton’s Liam Jones of the Blues during the AFL 2021 season opener at the MCG. Photograph: Daniel Pockett/AAP

Summary

“Humble and hungry” was how Dustin Martin described Richmond after the final siren following their breathless opening round victory over Carlton. The Blues made the Tigers work, but despite three flags in four years they remain hungrier than anyone, and their unselfish forward play continues to maximise opportunities.

Despite the final scoreline, Carlton were in this until the closing stages, and could have led by wider margins at different passages but lacked composure in crucial areas. Harry McKay in particular will rue a couple of poor decisions.

That should take nothing away from the industry of the Blues though. Sam Walsh was outstanding, Adam Saad shone on debut, and Patrick Cripps showed he’s set for another big campaign.

Richmond were just better when it mattered. Aren’t they always? Dustin Martin (2.2 from 31 disposals) was best on ground. Isn’t he always? Jack Riewoldt (4.2) kicked crucial goals when they were most needed. You know the script.

Nick Graham and Kane Lambert’s endurance was important, as was Noah Balta’s ability to be in the right place at the right time.

The rule changes will be picked over by wiser heads than mine, but at first glance, the game was much more open, much faster (possibly too fast), and the interchange cap really brought fatigue into play. The medical substitutions were both taken with Carlton’s looking unambiguous, Richmond’s a little more opaque. It remains to be seen how that will be policed.

But overall, in front of 50,000 fans at the MCG, it was a pulsating return for footy in front of Victorian spectators. Here’s to another six months of it.

Dustin Martin
Dustin Martin. The best. Photograph: Daniel Pockett/AAP

Updated

That was a very very entertaining way to start the new season.

Richmond 15.15 (105) v 11.14 (80) Carlton

Richmond win. They always win.

Q4: 1 mins remaining: Richmond 15.14 (104) v 11.14 (80) Carlton - Then he takes a chest mark inside 50 under enormous pressure. What a footballer. This time he offloads to Riewoldt, who does take some time off the clock, and slots his fourth goal of the night - three of which have been absolutely superb finishes.

Q4: 2 mins remaining: Richmond 14.14 (98) v 11.14 (80) Carlton - Dustin Martin doesn’t do settling down. The ball ventures near him inside 50 and he just barges Blues into tomorrow before handing off to Bolton to ice the game.

Q4: 3 mins remaining: Richmond 13.14 (92) v 11.14 (80) Carlton - Edwards shows his class, weaving in and out of trouble then finding Graham for some kick-marking to settle things down.

Q4: 4 mins remaining: Richmond 13.14 (92) v 11.14 (80) Carlton - It’s Keystone Cops stuff out there now with exhausted bodies staggering their way around the MCG. The skill level has plummeted, it’s now all about commitment and desperation.

Q4: 5 mins remaining: Richmond 13.13 (91) v 11.14 (80) Carlton - Cripps and McDonald do well in individual battles but they can’t convert territory into a chance, conceding a turnover for kicking out of bounds on the full. The long punt forward is in Martin’s direction, and he takes over, muscling his way down the boundary. He slips, but he retains composure, sending the ball towards the goalsquare where Docherty fumbles and hands Aarts a gift from point blank range.

Q4: 6 mins remaining: Richmond 12.13 (85) v 11.14 (80) Carlton - Deary me, this is exhausting to watch. Both teams look punch drunk but the pace of this clash refuses to slow down. Richmond assert themselves in the forward line, Lynch pinballs off tacklers, but he’s so knackered he can barely swing his boot through the ball to kick for goal.

Q4: 7 mins remaining: Richmond 12.12 (84) v 11.14 (80) Carlton - Gibbons kicks another! Richmond win the centre clearance but can’t capitalise. Carlton force the ball the other way through the corridor and after a bold kick from Williamson the ball bobbles favourably for McKay and Gibbons feeds off the scraps.

Q4: 8 mins remaining: Richmond 12.11 (83) v 10.13 (73) Carlton - Good dash and kick from Docherty finds Gibbons in space at half-forward. McKay leads and gets one-out, can the Blues find him? They can! The mark is strong overhead, and this time, he takes a breath and nails the set shot. Carlton clinging on resolutely.

Q4: 9 mins remaining: Richmond 12.11 (83) v 9.13 (67) Carlton - Again, Carlton try to play too quickly and lack the execution. Richmond reply with poise, slicing their way upfield with precision. The move ends with Rioli on the lead, marking, then calmly taking his full complement of seconds and slotting home the steadying goal.

Q4: 10 mins remaining: Richmond 11.11 (77) v 9.13 (67) Carlton - Brilliant chase from Saad, running down Aarts from behind after the Tiger had taken a bounce entering 50. It is ragged unstructured footy on the MCG right now. Both sides achingly tired.

Q4: 11 mins remaining: Richmond 11.11 (77) v 9.13 (67) Carlton - Slower ball movement from the Blues - and it works - chipping the ball down the left flank until it reaches McDonald on the apex of the boundary and 50m arc. It’s all pedestrian and nobody looks particularly fussed, so the former Dee wheels around and smashes through a monster goal! McDonald has made a major impact since his introduction.

Q4: 13 mins remaining: Richmond 11.10 (76) v 8.13 (61) Carlton - Could that be a lifeline? No. McDonald gets a soft looking free-kick in a marking contest - but he misses on the near side.

Q4: 14 mins remaining: Richmond 11.10 (76) v 8.12 (60) Carlton - Cripps has just five second-half possessions so far, and his lack of drive through midfield is becoming telling with that Richmond wave beginning to swell and roll over the Blues repeatedly.

Q4: 15 mins remaining: Richmond 11.9 (75) v 8.12 (60) Carlton - Finally some composure. O’Brien butchers the ball in midfield. Richmond calmly hit their targets in response until the ball reaches Martin one out against Saad. He marks then snaps the goal, of course he does. That feels decisive.

Q4: 16 mins remaining: Richmond 10.9 (69) v 8.12 (60) Carlton - 90 seconds of chaos footy has both sides hunting goals like seagulls fighting over chips. The skill level is noticeably declining as the pace of this frenetic game catches up with everyone.

Q4: 17 mins remaining: Richmond 10.9 (69) v 8.12 (60) Carlton - Richmond look destined for a goal but Castagna declines the set shot from range, offloading instead for Lynch, who fails to make the distance for the second time tonight. At the drop of the ball Riewoldt is involved in a fierce marking contest, the whistle blows, and... free-kick Carlton! Riewoldt cannot believe it.

Q4: 19 mins remaining: Richmond 10.9 (69) v 8.12 (60) Carlton - Richmond start the final quarter on the front foot. From a clearing kick Edwards finds Ross who feeds Martin, but his long set shot fades behind.

Still not a lot to report on the stats sheet, although Carlton leading the free-kick count 20-12 might be worth a mention considering how a couple of big calls have gone against them.

Jack Riewoldt is now the leading goalkicker with 3.2, and Sam Walsh is the clear disposal winner with 26.

On the subs, Vlastuin’s injury does not sound serious and will likely be the subject of plenty of talkback calls. Silvagni however sounds like he might have put his shoulder out. Hopefully he’s not out of the game for long.

Updated

3QT: Richmond 10.8 (68) v 8.12 (60) Carlton

It’s still breathless, it’s still fiercely contested, and Richmond still have their noses in front.

Q3: 1 min remaining: Richmond 10.8 (68) v 8.12 (60) Carlton - Saad has impressed on debut tonight, neat and tidy mopping up across halfback and offering plenty of dash on the rebound. Carlton cannot get past Balta though, this time the man mountain repelling Cripps with the Blues threatening. His desperation sets Richmond forward and in three kicks Riewoldt again finds space in that same spot he goaled from earlier. And he repeats the trick! Superb goal kicking from the veteran, threading the needle from 50m out in the shadow of the Members Stand. Clutch.

Q3: 3 mins remaining: Richmond 9.8 (62) v 8.12 (60) Carlton - Both teams are playing ragged footy now nearing the end of the quarter. Carlton look the likelier though and again target McKay one out, but again Balta does magnificently to contest and spoil.

Q3: 5.00 mins remaining: Richmond 9.8 (62) v 8.12 (60) Carlton - Oh no. Oh no. Oh no. Harry McKay needs some lessons in decision making. Not for the first time tonight he’s had a shocker. After marking one-out 20m from goal instead of taking a breath and kicking the goal he plays on and is run down by Short.

Ross does now come on for Vlastuin.

Updated

Q3: 7 mins remaining: Richmond 9.8 (62) v 8.11 (59) Carlton - Good hands from Curnow at half-forward makes Petrevski-Seton’s kick look superb. The Blues play on and head inside-50 but they can only earn a boundary throw. From the stoppage Cripps dominates Martin-like, but as he wheels around onto his right he can’t get enough purchase on his snap.

SUB KLAXON

Jack Ross is warming up. Josh Caddy’s knee looks proppy.

Q3: 8 mins remaining: Richmond 9.7 (61) v 8.10 (58) Carlton - Riewoldt finds some rare separation to mark just inside 50, 5m from the boundary on the left. He goes back and kicks a belting set shot. Yet another lead change.

Q3: 8.30 mins remaining: Richmond 8.7 (55) v 8.10 (58) Carlton -This has been a superb effort from the Blues. They could easily have faded away after half-time, but they have continued in the manner they started the game. How will fatigue influence things?

Q3: 9 mins remaining: Richmond 8.6 (54) v 8.10 (58) Carlton - Those minutes of momentum give way briefly to some loose moments in midfield, ended by a crunching McDonald tackle (he’s been outstanding since his entry). Carlton hit the post. But they retain the pressure and from a stoppage near 50 a free to Richmond is reversed after Astbury makes contact with Plowman’s face. From the arc he swings out onto his right and larrups a massive goal! The Blues are back in front!

Q3: 11 mins remaining: Richmond 8.6 (54) v 7.9 (51) Carlton - Richmond haven’t put together too many attacking chains this half, but they possess nicely down the right until Caddy lets fire from 50m in the pocket. Jones mops up nicely and a free-kick allows the pressure to release. The Blues go from end to end before Richmond pick them off - and dutifully head back 100m the other way themselves. This is wild slingshot footy. Both teams must be knackered.

Q3: 13 mins remaining: Richmond 8.6 (54) v 7.9 (51) Carlton - A rare spell of footy played at less than a million miles an hour. Both sides try to finesse the ball in midfield but Carlton execute better, until the pass before the final pass, which is underhit and hits the deck. They’re fortunate though, once the ball goes to ground Richmond go in high and the Blues win a free-kick, that goes straight to McKay on the lead. And then, for reasons best known to him, instead of going back and lumping a set shot, he tries to play on and kick around his body. Poor choice.

Q3: 15 mins remaining: Richmond 8.6 (54) v 7.8 (50) Carlton - Fisher takes on, and beats, two tacklers on the right wing. The ball inside 50 is a wobbler and as Richmond try to come out McDonald wins a free for holding the ball. His delivery is to a pack and it’s carried behind by Nankervis. Carlton fans go berko. That was way more intentional than Jones’ earlier on, but the Tiger had convention on his side.

Cameras pan to Scotty from Canberra sinking a pot. Never misses a PR opportunity that bloke.

Q3: 17 mins remaining: Richmond 8.5 (53) v 7.6 (48) Carlton - Walsh again dances through traffic to turn a scruffy stoppage into a superb clearance. Two possessions later Carlton earn a downfield free-kick in favour of Oscar McDonald - and with his first kick in a navy blue guernsey, he reduces the margin to five points. What a start for the super sub! That was all about Sam Walsh though, dominating clearances.

Q3: 19 mins remaining: Richmond 8.5 (53) v 6.6 (42) Carlton - Carlton get first use of the half, but it’s scrappy. Richmond can’t do any better. But from the next Blues incursion Edwards nails the tackle and forces the turnover. That leads to Graham dumping a wobbler inside 50 and a stoppage near the behind post. Walsh does well to extract the ball, feed Cripps and Carlton clear.

SUB KLAXON!

Oscar McDonald is on for the Blues in place of Jack Silvagni. No official word yet, but the son of a gun went off a half-time with trainers holding his shoulder.

A little piece of history for the former Dee. Be interesting to see what Carlton had to go through to activate the substitution, and what damage Silvagni has sustained.

Updated

Team stats are still incredibly even.

Player-wise, Castagna (2.1) is the only multiple goal-kicker, Lambert, Cripps and Walsh lead the disposal count, and Martin still deserves his own “x-factor” metric.

Half-time: Richmond 8.5 (53) v 6.6 (42) Carlton

Footy has made a high-octane return at the MCG. Both sides have played their part, but it’s Richmond who hit the main break with their noses in front.

Q2: 1 mins remaining: Richmond 8.5 (53) v 6.6 (42) Carlton - Free to Casboult just inside 50, about 5m from the boundary line on the right wing. He goes to the top of the square and it’s punched behind.

Q2: 2 mins remaining: Richmond 8.5 (53) v 6.5 (41) Carlton - Another 50m against Carlton, the first for infringing the new marking rules. It results in Caddy taking a set shot from 30m out, dead in front, and that means four goals in a row for the Tigers. This was an even contest for half-an-hour, with Carlton arguably the likelier of the two sides, but in a flash the Tigers are now threatening to bust this game open.

Q2: 3 mins remaining: Richmond 7.5 (47) v 6.5 (41) Carlton - At one end, Fisher doesn’t get hold of a makable set shot. At the other Pickett pops the ball in front of the onrushing Lynch who marks with strong hands and... duffs his effort!

Q2: 5 mins remaining: Richmond 7.5 (47) v 6.4 (40) Carlton - Carlton are just losing their grip for a few minutes and Richmond are running over the top of them. They swarm down the right wing and Martin has possession 40m from goal in the right forward pocket, but he choses the wrong option and Castagna can only snap a behind when better was on offer.

Updated

Q2: 6 mins remaining: Richmond 7.4 (46) v 6.4 (40) Carlton - Good pressure from Carlton, earning them repeat attacking stoppages. They can’t find space though and Richmond break, emboldened by Lambert’s superb switch from right to left. Pickett delivers the ball inside 50, it comes to ground, Martin picks it up, tucks it under his right arm and sticks out his left like it’s a light sabre, swatting away challengers then snapping across his body for a trademark goal. I say trademark, it is bloody brilliant, and should not be taken for granted.

Q2: 8 mins remaining: Richmond 6.4 (40) v 6.4 (40) Carlton - The calmest man on the ground is Mark Murphy. Time and again tonight he has glided across half-forward, picking the decisive final pass. This time it finds Fogarty, but his set shot is poor.

Q2: 9 mins remaining: Richmond 6.4 (40) v 6.3 (39) Carlton - Richmond burst forward but Saad’s pace tells, chasing down the sprinting Bolton. Jones is then pinged for a deliberate rushed behind! It looked there at first glance, but Jones never took possession, only ever shepherding a bouncing Sherrin. “Never had control” says Luke Hodge, disappointed with the call. Not the first stiff decision against the Blues this quarter.

Rioli misses the shot from the behind post, but he finds the six-pointer soon after. Richmond back in front.

Q2: 11 mins remaining: Richmond 5.3 (33) v 6.3 (39) Carlton - Richmond win the clearance, and as it has been all night, the team that exits the stoppage out the front immediately looks a goal threat. This time the bomb to the goal square causes chaos but Carlton somehow keep it out despite the most frantic efforts of Castagna. Carlton go up the other end and after the floating entry comes off Cripps’ hands Fisher, front and square, snaps just wide.

Q2: 12 mins remaining: Richmond 5.3 (33) v 6.2 (38) Carlton - First 50m of the night goes against Curnow for entering Riewoldt’s protected area. It turns an inside-50 from 65m into a soda. Tigers back within a goal.

Q2: 12 mins remaining: Richmond 4.3 (27) v 6.2 (38) Carlton - The Blues are matching the Tigers for intensity, and it is something to watch. Walsh and Cripps in particular and throwing themselves around and they are not out place going to toe-to-toe with the premiers. The outcome is seriously intense football, and not much finesse, but it must make Carlton fans’ hearts sing.

Q2: 15 mins remaining: Richmond 4.3 (27) v 6.2 (38) Carlton - Ten seconds later and a near carbon copy goal extends Carlton’s lead! This time it’s finished off by Gibbons. Who are this team in navy blue?

Q2: 15.30 mins remaining: Richmond 4.3 (27) v 5.2 (32) Carlton - Make that seven lead changes. Seconds after the restart Carlton exit out the front and smuggle the ball forward with a series of handballs. It ends with Silvagni benefitting from a free-kick and snapping the Blues back in front.

Q2: 16 mins remaining: Richmond 4.3 (27) v 4.2 (26) Carlton - Richmond soon reclaim possession and the long ball to the 50m arc sees a pack start to form, but Lynch is at the front of it, like the froth on a wave, and he leaps to take a very handy mark. He doesn’t look confident with the set shot, but he absolutely leathers it and it sails through. Another lead change!

Q2: 16 mins remaining: Richmond 3.3 (21) v 4.2 (26) Carlton - Richmond win the centre clearance but Martin’s bomb to the hot-spot is too spicy for any Tigers and Carlton clear. Richmond’s pressure is back with a vengeance though and the Blues cannot make decent yardage without a black jumper hassling and scragging at them. Eventually the ball is back in Carlton’s defensive 50, but they survive again and clear to midfield.

Q2: 18 mins remaining: Richmond 3.3 (21) v 4.2 (26) Carlton - Lovely intercept mark from Balta - his fourth of the match already - after Dow burst through a stoppage. Carlton chop off the counterattack though, and after some precise kicking through midfield and the right wing, Murphy sets up McKay on the lead. And the big man holds on this time, goes back and fires the Blues back in front. Excellently crafted team goal and a classic power forward’s finish.

Individual stats favour Sam Walsh, Patrick Cripps, Kane Lambert, Dustin Martin, and Jason Castagna. I also enjoyed Dion Prestia’s game in midfield - lots of pressure and grunt work.

The team stats are incredibly even across practically every line. The standout figure is just one tackle inside 50 in total - presumably a reflection of how the new marking rules allow defenders to escape from deep in defence and avoid those suffocating repeat attacking phases.

QT: Richmond 3.3 (21) v 3.2 (20) Carlton

That was fun. Richmond very Richmondy, Carlton also very Richmondy.

Marc Pittonet and Toby Nankervis
Marc Pittonet of the Blues competes in the ruck against Toby Nankervis of the Tigers. Photograph: Daniel Pockett/AAP

Q1: 1 mins remaining: Richmond 3.3 (21) v 3.2 (20) Carlton - That said, they need to avoid making turnovers. Which is easier said than done against this rampaging Richmond outfit. Another pressurised turnover in midfield turns defence into attack. Martin wins the mark one-out, he selflessly handballs infield and Castagna can’t miss.

Q1: 3 mins remaining: Richmond 2.2 (14) v 3.2 (20) Carlton - Setterfield pulls a set shot just wide from 50m. The opportunity was reward for fierce pressure across half-forward and more swift ball movement. I like the look of this version of the Blues.

Q1: 4 mins remaining: Richmond 2.2 (14) v 3.1 (19) Carlton - It’s a goalfest! Dow snaps Carlton back in front with a lovely finish, hanging off the back of a pack, accepting the handball and slicing through with the outside of his right boot.

Q1: 4.30 mins remaining: Richmond 2.2 (14) v 2.1 (13) Carlton - Richmond are either winning stoppages or swarming all over Carlton so quickly the Blues are coughing turnovers immediately on receiving possession. Either works for the Tigers. From the latest waspish passage Lambert is the link man before finding Castagna to mark and goal. Richmond back ahead.

Q1: 5 mins remaining: Richmond 1.2 (8) v 2.1 (13) Carlton - It should be two in a minute but Prestia is too cute with his finish on the run after another surging Richmond attack from a turnover. The Tigers’ pressure has not relented over the summer and it is really putting Carlton’s skills to the test.

Q1: 6 mins remaining: Richmond 1.1 (7) v 2.1 (13) Carlton - The premiers strike back through Aarts. A messy phase of play in midfield ends with a classic Richmond turnover. Prestia is instrumental, but once the ball is out it ends quickly in Aarts’ hands and he snaps home on the run.

Q1: 7 mins remaining: Richmond 0.1 (1) v 2.1 (13) Carlton - Not for the first time tonight Carlton go coast to coast and add six points. The move is a series of fast play-ons down the right wing. The centring ball comes off hands and over the back to a blue guernsey, where it’s shipped quickly to O’Brien who gallops home unopposed. The Blues are giving this a red hot go.

Q1: 8 mins remaining: Richmond 0.1 (1) v 1.1 (7) Carlton - it is noticeable how much space there is already. It may just be opening night energy and a willingness to play on from both sides, but it is a hot footy. There will be some burning lungs out there already, and with the interchange now limited to 75 there will be some fatigue later on.

Meanwhile, Martin was unmarked out the back and swallowed up an uncontested mark in the right forward pocket following a quick turnover. Incredibly, he misses the lot with a wayward banana.

Q1: 10 mins remaining: Richmond 0.1 (1) v 1.1 (7) Carlton - Great work fro Silvagni on halfback, showing terrific strength to withstand the tackle then hoof clear. One kick later and McKay has a chest mark 10m out - but he fluffs it! Oh dear, that was a poor miss. A good spell from the Blues but they fail to take advantage.

Q1: 12 mins remaining: Richmond 0.1 (1) v 1.1 (7) Carlton - Carlton are moving the ball beautifully from back to front, mixing snappy handballs in midfield with penetrating kicks to leading forwards. Richmond chop off the latest sortie near their own goalsquare, but the warning signs are there.

Q1: 13 mins remaining: Richmond 0.1 (1) v 1.1 (7) Carlton - Some neat possession footy in midfield for Richmond, but Carlton’s backline does well to spoil the inside-50 out of bounds. Repeat stoppages on the right flank look set to pay dividends for the Tigers but after finally engineering space for Rioli, the livewire snaps out on the full when he should have done much better. Carlton respond by going coast to coast down the left wing, a move ending with McKay leading and marking with strong hands in front of Vlaustin in the left forward pocket. But his kick is narrow.

Q1: 15 mins remaining: Richmond 0.1 (1) v 1.0 (6) Carlton - Chaos in Carlton’s defensive 50 after a mongrel form Jones. Aarts should capitalise but can’t get clean footy and the Blues escape. After smuggling the ball away Carlton work the ball up the ground but a couple of contentious umpiring calls provide a soundtrack of boos. Eventually Silvagni finds space to mark outside the arc, he plays on to Casboult one-on-one, and the big forward marks in the goalsquare to belt the Blues into the lead!

Updated

Q1: 17 mins remaining: Richmond 0.1 (1) v 0.0 (0) Carlton - Richmond are wasting no time getting back into their work. McIntosh and Martin engineer another inside-50 but there’s a stoppage, after which Carlton earn a clearing free. It’s only as far as Nankervis though, who isn’t paid a towering grab. Another free to the Blues sets them up to attack but Vlaustin floats across halfback to intercept.

Q1: 19 mins remaining: Richmond 0.1 (1) v 0.0 (0) Carlton - The first decisive act of the season is a Dion Prestia tackle on right centre-wing. Soon afterwards Martin wins the first free-kick for holding at a stoppage. The new man-on-the-mark rule comes into immediate effect with Martin using it to engineer space before the ball is launched to Riewoldt in acres in the forward pocket. His set shot is skinny.

Opening bounce!

Season 2021 is underway - and the deafening roar has never sounded so good.

“Yellow and black” reverberates around the MCG. What a contrast to last year.

And here come the Tigers, led by Jack Riewoldt, to the accompaniment of drums. Richmond are top to toe in black, aside from that trademark yellow sash.

Out run the Blues, in their familiar navy blue guernsey and white shorts.

Conditions are perfect at the MCG tonight. It’s been dry for days in Melbourne so the turf looks in fine condition, there’s barely a breath of wind, and it’s about 25C and dropping in the Richmond evening.

Fans kick the footy outside the MCG.
Fans kick the footy outside the MCG. Photograph: Daniel Pockett/AAP

... and up they’re hoisted, commemorating premiership victories in 2019 and 2020.

Updated

Out come the premiership flags onto the MCG. The flag bearers cover lots of bases, and include Dan Minogue (not that one), Dale Weightman, Marlion Jnr and Latrell Pickett, and a svelte and stylish looking Neil Balme.

Updated

Surely this tweet survives until next year, right? Apart from changing eight to nine.

One thing missing from tonight’s season-opener is the voice of Bruce McAvaney. One of the most respected commentators in Australian history has called it time, following longtime calling partner Dennis Cometti in retirement.

Footy viewers are much poorer for both absences. There could be a lot of matches watched on mute this year.

A bit more on the crowd situation. Capacity at the MCG remains at 50%, despite a late push to raise it to 75%. That figures is the Chief Health Officer’s call.

The G will have a COVID-safe plan in place with the venue sectioned into five zones. The first row of seating on level one is unsold to guarantee physical distancing between fans and players.

And if you want to know why this season of breathlessly hyped football will be better than the last, Scott Heinrich has your back.

It’s a softly, softly approach, but you’ve got to start somewhere. Fifty-thousand supporters will be at the MCG for the season opener between Richmond and Carlton, half that will be allowed at Marvel Stadium and fans will get through the turnstiles into GMHBA Stadium. The return of footy to Victoria, where most AFL games are played, is a fantastic thing made even better by the allowance of crowds. Man cannot live on cardboard fans and canned applause alone. There is no substitute for the real thing. One thing 2020 showed us is that supporters are an integral part of the live experience. They are welcomed back with open arms.

Football’s back. All of it. Every kick mattering to somebody somewhere.

I know he’s jabbering about association football, give me a break.

Carlton 22 (+1)

Carlton are missing a midfield champion of their own in Jack Martin (calf), while star recruit Zac Williams misses out through suspension. Eddie Betts has not been risked as he continues his recovery from a calf injury.

In better news, Harry McKay, Levi Casboult, and Jack Newnes have all been passed fit following tests, while Adam Saad and Lachie Fogarty will debut following offseason trades.

Former Demon, Oscar McDonald, is Carlton’s first medical substitute.

B: L.Plowman, L.Jones, T.Williamson
HB: S.Docherty, J.Weitering, A.Saad
C: W.Setterfield, P.Cripps, M.Murphy
HF: L.Fogarty, H.McKay, J.Newnes
F: Z.Fisher, J.Silvagni, M.Gibbons
FOLL: M.Pittonet, P.Dow, S.Walsh
I/C: S.Petrevski-Seton, L.O’Brien, L.Casboult, E.Curnow
Sub: O.McDonald

Richmond 22 (+1)

The headline news from Punt Road is that Richmond captain Trent Cotchin has officially been ruled out of tonight’s contest with gastro. Cotchin missed yesterday’s captain’s run and he has subsequently been deemed unfit to play.

Cotchin and Bachar Houli (calf) are the only members of Richmond’s grand final winning 22 to miss out tonight through injury. While Josh Caddy and Jake Aarts are the only two to be selected tonight that were not involved at the Gabba.

Jack Ross has the honour of being Richmond’s first medical sub.

B: D.Astbury, D.Grimes, N.Balta
HB: L.Baker, N.Vlastuin, J.Short
C: D.Prestia, M.Pickett, K.Lambert
HF: J.Aarts, S.Bolton, J.Castagna
F: T.Lynch, D.Martin, J.Riewoldt
FOLL: T.Nankervis, K.McIntosh, J.Caddy
I/C: D.Rioli, N.Broad, J.Graham, S.Edwards
Sub: J.Ross

Jack Ross
Jack Ross is Richmond’s first medical substitute . Photograph: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Well, scoring should be up with the return to standard quarter lengths and rule tweaks, but even so...

I’ve not seen Making Their Mark yet, but it seems to be getting rave reviews.

Tigers supporters, do you agree with Brendon Gale’s assessment of the behind-the-scenes access?

“When people get a glimpse of what happens behind the scenes it contextualises some of the things that are going on,” Gale told AAP at Amazon’s documentary launch. “There were some things that happened during the year that was being presented externally was like ‘they’re out of control and egomaniacs’.

“But they’re human beings and they’re young men and they’re flawed, like we all are. You’ve just got to deal with it.”

Scott Heinrich has listed what he expects to be the season’s biggest talking points. And for Carlton, that includes the future of midfield superstar Patrick Cripps.

Blues fans, do you expect Cripps to be at Princes Park next year?

There is no bigger name in this year’s crop of restricted free agents than Patrick Cripps. The man is a beast, he will be just turning 26 when the season begins and any club in the land would welcome him with open arms. He’s also yet to make a solitary finals appearance in his seven years at Carlton. The Blues may be on the improve, but Cripps will know this is a gilt-edged chance to improve his lot both personally and professionally. Carlton will want to tie up their co-captain yesterday, but these things have a habit of dragging out. Cripps’ future will be an ongoing hot topic in 2021.

As well as getting in touch via email or Twitter (@JPHowcroft), we’re also open below the line!

The impetus for the 23rd player is the game’s ongoing battle with concussion management. Like so many contact sports across the world, Australian rules football is having to adapt to the growing amount of research linking sport to head injuries, and those head injuries to long-term complications to health and wellbeing.

Such measures are a step in the right direction, and will likely only be the start of changes. The cost of supporting former players suffering the long-term effects of concussion is likely to reach into the billions of dollars.

Tonight will see the introduction of the AFL’s hastily introduced medical substitute amendment. Quite why it took until the eve of the new season to confirm is anybody’s guess, but here it is. I’m sure it won’t be abused, and equally sure it will be welcomed wholeheartedly by all in and around the game.

The substitute will be confirmed 60 minutes prior to a game starting and can only be chosen from the listed emergency players. They can be activated at any time of the game, including if teams have completed their 75 interchanges.

The substitute will receive a full match payment – outside the cap – and would receive a premiership medal if they were a member of a winning grand final team, even if they did not take to the field.

Games as substitutes will count towards players’ career games tallies, even if they are not activated, while substitutes would also be eligible to play at state league level that week.

What does the season have in store? Scott Heinrich has cast his eye over rule changes that carry the potential to liberate the Sherrin.

Don’t get your hopes up, but 2021 might just be the year the AFL gets its mojo back. Australia’s much-loved indigenous code has been suffering an identity crisis for nigh on two decades now, mired in a losing battle against an invisible enemy. There is no dirtier word in the game than congestion, and the game has never been harder to watch.

Preamble

Nights are drawing in, leaves are crinkling around the edges, and all anyone in Victoria is talking about is the footy. Say goodbye to summer and welcome home to another six months of the AFL ruling your life.

Round one gets underway tonight at the MCG with the now traditional season-opener between Richmond and Carlton. The opening bounce is scheduled for 7.25pm.

There is always mighty anticipation for this contest, but this year more than ever, with Victorian fans missing out on attending an entire season in 2020. The atmosphere in some parts of Melbourne have resembled grand final week as Tigers and Blues supporters rush to end, what for many, will be the longest match-going droughts of their football-supporting lives. For Richmond the experience will be further heightened, with the club unfurling both its 2019 and 2020 premiership flags concurrently.

That is a useful indicator of the balance of power between these two historic rivals. Richmond are the best in the business, and have been since collecting the first of three flags in four years in 2017. Dispiritingly for their competition, there is little indication there will be any drop-off this season with just two members of the most recent grand final victory not named in Damien Hardwick’s first 22 (or should that be 23?) of the new campaign. It’s not been a straightforward offseason for Hardwick, who faced scrutiny over his private life, but it would be typical of the bloody-mindedness of a modern football club to turn that to their advantage and foster the much sought-after siege mentality.

For the Blues it’s another clean slate and another chance to dream. After a long period of squad building it’s high time results started to follow. David Teague will not get an easy ride this season, and he will hope for more luck on the injury front. Key players missed a lot of minutes last year, and Carlton’s injury list is already concerning ahead of round one.

Because this is the opening match of the season we’re opening the blog much earlier than usual. Plenty of time to get through all the issues of the week, and for you to join in. You know how it works, emails to jonathan.howcroft.casual@theguardian.com and tweets to @JPHowcroft.

The AFL nostalgia is ripe for Wayne Peters and Scott Lee to reprise this on The Front Bar.

Updated

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