Carlton v Richmond | Thursday, March 23, 7.20pm (AEDT), MCG, Melbourne

Traditional rivals Carlton and Richmond kick-start the 2017 AFL season in a Thursday night showdown at the MCG.

The Blues welcome back skipper Mark Murphy, who returns to action after a missing the second half of last season with injury.

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick will again be under pressure to lift the underperforming Tigers into finals contention.

Key defender Alex Rance and the mercurial Dustin Martin will need to have best-and-fairest calibre seasons for the Tigers to be playing finals footy.

The Verdict

The Tigers have won four of the last five against the Blues with Carlton’s last win coming in round 24, 2013.

The Blues started well last season but faded late, so a bright start here is paramount to their confidence.

Taking the Tigers here but not with a great deal of confidence.

The yellow and black have dominated this fixture in recent years and Carlton’s struggles at the MCG, where they’ve lost six of nine, doesn’t bode well for the Blues.

Unibet Odds:

Carlton at $2.85

Richmond at $1.43

Tip: Richmond at $1.43

Line tip: Carlton +14.5 (1.91)