Saturday first AFL Round 21 match is between Richmond Tigers and Carlton Blues with the game to be played at MCG. The opening bounce is set to commence at 1:45pm local time with home team Richmond Tigers currently holding favouritism. View our AFL live scores, odds and results for the game between Richmond Tigers and Carlton Blues.

WHERE AND WHEN: MCG, 1:45pm AEST, Saturday 17 August

[iframe_loader width=”690″ height=”530″ src=”https://sportsnews.com.au/afl/match.php?id=3130176″]

Opening odds comparison:

Richmond Tigers	1.32	1.35	1.36	1.35	1.32	1.33
Carlton Blues	3.40	3.20	3.15	3.20	3.40	3.40

Preview:

The first Saturday game sees Richmond playing Carlton at the MCG, 1.45pm. The Tigers should be able to win here against a struggling Blues outfit, who must be
starting to lose hope for the finals after recent losses and injury concerns. While the Blues will be desperate for a win here, the Tigers look too solid both in defence and
attack. Even though the Blues managed to win in Round 2 against the Tigers, a loss this weekend looks more likely as their 9th ladder position threatens to slip further.

Teams:

Richmond Tigers:
B: S.Morris A.Rance D.Astbury
HB: B.Houli T.Chaplin R.Petterd
C: S.Grigg T.Cotchin D.Jackson
HF: M.White D.Martin B.Ellis
F: L.McGuane J.Riewoldt T.Vickery
FOLL: I.Maric B.Deledio N.Foley
I/C: S.Tuck R.Conca N.Vlastuin D.Grimes
EMG: M.McDonough B.Helbig L.McBean
In: Dylan Grimes, Ricky Petterd
Out: Robin Nahas (omitted), Chris Newman (ankle)

Carlton Blues:
B: J.Bootsma M.Jamison L.Henderson
HB: Z.Tuohy A.McInnes B.Gibbs
C: C.Yarran M.Robinson K.Simpson
HF: E.Curnow A.Walker T.Bell
F: B.McLean L.Casboult H.Scotland
FOLL: R.Warnock E.Betts M.Murphy
EMG: D.Armfield N.Graham T.Menzel
I/C: J.Waite J.Cachia K.Lucas S.Rowe
In: Andrew McInnes, Mitch Robinson, Nick Graham, Tom Bell, Levi Casboult
Out: Matthew Watson (foot), Chris Judd (knee), Sam Rowe  (omitted) , Jaryd Cachia  (omitted) , Jeff Garlett  (glute)

Blues, Bombers swing AFL changes

Injuries to Chris Judd and Jeff Garlett have not stopped Carlton swinging the AFL selection axe as they seek to keep their finals hopes alive.

And slumping, embattled Essendon have also made five changes as they try to jolt their team out of a three-game streak of big defeats.

The Blues have lost ex-captain Judd to a knee injury and backman Matthew Watson to a foot fracture, while speedy forward Jeff Garlett (glute) will also miss Saturday’s crucial clash with Richmond.

But after last round’s disappointing loss to the Western Bulldogs, Carlton still dropped forward Sam Rowe and tagger Jaryd Cachia.

They handed draftee Nick Graham an AFL debut, with livewire Mitch Robinson earning a recall.

The Tigers have lost former skipper Chris Newman (ankle) but Dylan Grimes returns for his first AFL game since round six, after a foot injury.

Essendon, well beaten by West Coast last round, have lost Dustin Fletcher and Paddy Ryder to suspension for Saturday’s meeting with North Melbourne.

Jason Winderlich (hamstring) is also out, along with Scott Gumbleton (soreness) and David Myers (rested).

Promising youngster Joe Daniher, fellow key forward Stewart Crameri and debutant Lauchlan Dalgleish are among their inclusions.

North welcomed back Nathan Grima and Brad McKenzie.

Hawthorn have regained stars Lance Franklin, Luke Hodge and Grant Birchall to face an unchanged Collingwood on Friday night.

West Coast forward Mark LeCras (ribs) will miss Saturday night’s home encounter with Geelong, but Luke Shuey returns.

The Cats have lost star forward Tom Hawkins (back) and recalled ruckman Mark Blicavs, but triple-premiership star Paul Chapman is still to push his way back.

Gold Coast have lost Campbell Brown to suspension and Nathan Bock, Sam Day and Alex Sexton to injury for Saturday’s clash with a Port Adelaide side looking to cement their top eight berth.

The Power have lost Domenic Cassisi and John Butcher to injury.

Brisbane’s first game under caretaker coach Mark Harvey will be without former Melbourne pair Brent Moloney and Stef Martin (both hamstring) and defender Justin Clarke (shoulder), but veteran Simon Black returns.

Sydney have included Gary Rohan in their extended squad for Sunday’s SCG meeting with St Kilda, for what could be his first AFL game since a severe leg break in round four last year.

The Saints have lost James Gwilt and Lenny Hayes, but added Stephen Milne and Sam Gilbert.

Western Bulldogs captain Matthew Boyd returns to face Adelaide.

Fremantle have added the classy Stephen Hill for Sunday’s MCG meeting with Melbourne.