Natural improvement from Richmond’s young guns will send Tigers to greater heights in 2018

RICHMOND premiership forward Jack Riewoldt expects the Tigers to get even better in 2018 and despite not adding any experienced players through trade or free agency, he knows there is massive improvement to come from the team’s younger brigade.

Richmond will open the season on Thursday night against Carlton. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

RICHMOND vice-captain Jack Riewoldt says there is unquestionable growth left in the Tigers as the reigning premiers eagerly eye the season opener on Thursday night.

Seven Richmond players who collected premiership medals last year — Jack Graham, Nathan Broad, Dan Butler, Jason Castagna, Toby Nankervis, Daniel Rioli and Jacob Townsend — have less than 50 AFL games each to their name while Kane Lambert (52 matches) and Kamdyn McIntosh (53) are also relatively inexperienced.

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Riewoldt said those players, along with others who missed selection for last year’s Grand Final, were primed to improve which would hold the Tigers in good stead.

“We’ve got a lot of younger guys there that haven’t played 50 games,” he said.

“In my experience, it’s when you start to come into your own as a player, after you’ve played 50 games. So it’s a really positive sign for us.

Richmond will open the season on Thursday night against Carlton. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

“And guys that unfortunately missed out on the premiership last year have been the real drivers over pre-season.

“A guy like Corey Ellis, who is rated really highly internally, is a guy I’m really excited about seeing his output this year and Shai Bolton as well has performed well over the JLT series.

“So I think our progression can come from there and it’s a real exciting one too.”

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Richmond meets Carlton at the MCG on Thursday night, with a bumper crowd of more 90,000 tipped to see the Tigers unfurl their 11th flag.

While a Richmond home game, the two clubs earlier this month announced a gate-share agreement for a further 10 years for the marquee match.

Dan Butler and Jason Castagna have both played less than 50 AFL games. Picture: Michael Klein

The AFL’s highest-ever attended Round 1 game drew 87,119 in 1995 when Carlton played Collingwood.

The biggest season-opening Tigers-Blues clash in recent years was the 2009 fixture which drew 87,043 fans.

The Tigers remain firm favourites for the clash at $1.20 with TAB, despite four premiership players looking certain to miss.

Rioli (foot) and Broad (club suspension) will be absentees, while the Tigers are highly unlikely to take any risks with midfielder Dion Prestia (hamstring) and defender Bachar Houli (achilles/calf).

Carlton is likely to head into the mach near full-strength, with only Geelong recruit Darcy Lang (ankle) and rising defender Tom Williamson (back) in doubt.