Richmond vs Carlton Tips - Carlton to cruise to an easy win over young Tigers outfit

The Tigers won just two of their 23 home and away matches in 2024 and have invested heavily in youth, offloading a stack of experienced players, including Liam Baker, Shai Bolton and Daniel Rioli, who were all traded, while Jack Graham left as a free agent. That is on top of the retirement of their champion, Dustin Martin, while Dylan Grimes is another to hang up the boots. 

The silver lining is that last year’s wooden spooners have a stack of exciting new faces via the draft, but that cohort will take time to develop. 

Carlton come off an unsuccessful finals campaign when bowing out in the Elimination Final against Brisbane. The Blues were cursed by injuries late in the season and head into this with a number of issues but come in with some solid pre-season form, while they will have too much class for a Tigers outfit that will need time. 

Carlton have won their past four matches against Richmond, including the corresponding encoutner last year by 24 points. The Hawks cost themselves in that match with inaccuracy and had six more scoring shots. 

Three of those four matches were held at the MCG. Carlton were 4-3-1 at the venue in 2024, Richmond were 6-4. There last six matches at the MCG have been wins. 

Richmond won just two home and away matches in 2024 and come in with a weaker list this season, following the departures of a number of premiership heroes. 

They ranked last for goals scored in 2024 with just 9.2 per game and were 17th for disposals. 

In the recent Community Series match agaisnt Collingwood, they went down by 83 points, a margin that might have been less were it not for the inaccuracy from the Tigers (6.13) compared to Collingwood (21.6). Jacob Hopper and Kamdyn McIntosh both had 30+ disposals, while Jacob Bauer was the only multiple goalkicker with two majors. 

Carlton's late season form in 2024 was a tale of two halves. After a strong first half that saw them reach second on the ladder by Round 20, their performance declined significantly towards the end of the home-and-away season. A string of losses saw them barely cling to eighth place with a 13-10 record, narrowly qualifying for the finals on the last day. Their season concluded with a disappointing elimination final loss to the eventual premiers, Brisbane, where they were thoroughly outplayed early, trailing by 60 points before a late rally reduced the margin to 28 points. This late-season fade raised questions about their consistency, despite a standout individual performance from captain Patrick Cripps, who won his second Brownlow Medal with a record 45 votes.

In the 2025 pre-season and practice match period, Carlton showed promising signs despite some challenges. Their pre-season training highlighted emerging talents, with players like Jesse Motlop impressing, notably in their first match simulation against St Kilda on February 22, 2025, where he kicked three goals. However, the Blues fell short in that game, losing by 11 points (8.10.58 to 10.9.69) in hot, blustery conditions at IKON Park. Standout moments included Harry McKay’s early two-goal burst and a debut goal from Lucas Camporeale, though injuries to players like Lachie Cowan, Adam Saad, and Nick Haynes tempered the optimism. This hitout, while not a victory, provided valuable insights and showcased a mix of new and established players as Carlton gears up for their Round 1 clash against Richmond on March 13, 2025.

Carlton has faced a string of pre-season injury woes ahead of Round 1, although Sam Walsh and Jack Silvagni are expected to be fit. Silvagni has earned a defensive spot over Lewis Young after his injury return in a pre-season match against GWS, while Mitch McGovern, cleared of ankle damage, is set to play. Charlie Curnow may miss the opening rounds following knee surgery, leading to Brodie Kemp being considered for a forward role. The Blues are also without Nic Newman (season-ending knee injury) and Alex Cincotta (hip), with Ollie Hollands and Lachie Cowan to step in as rebounding half-backs. The small/medium forward mix is tight, with Jesse Motlop, Matt Cottrell, and Ashton Moir edging out Lachie Fogarty, Orazio Fantasia, and Corey Durdin, though Durdin’s ankle injury could alter this. In a final blow, 2024 top-three pick Jagga Smith has been ruled out for the season due to an ACL tear, and Marc Pittonet’s calf injury leaves Tom De Koning as the sole ruck option.

Full Back:Jack Silvagni, Jacob Weitering, Oliver Hollands

Half Back:Adam Saad, Mitch McGovern, Lachlan Cowan

Centre:Blake Acres, Patrick Cripps, Lucas Camporeale

Half Forward:Sam Walsh, Brodie Kemp, Lachie Fogarty

Full Forward:Matthew Cottrell, Harry McKay, Zac Williams

Followers:Tom De Koning, Adam Cerra, George Hewett

Bench:Sam Docherty, Nick Haynes, Jesse Motlop, Cooper Lord, Francis Evans

Emergencies:Lewis Young, Matthew Carroll, Will White