RICHMOND is set to unleash marquee recruits Dion Prestia and Josh Caddy for the first time in the club's JLT Community Series opener against Adelaide at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.
Prestia, traded from Gold Coast after playing 95 games in six seasons, has overcome a knee injury that ruined his 2016 campaign and has been in good form in recent intraclub hit-outs.
The 24-year-old underwent knee surgery in July last year to fix the cartilage problem that he had battled with throughout the season.
Former Cat Caddy is expected to spend plenty of time in the midfield alongside Prestia, both former teammates at the Suns, as the Tigers look to bolster their onball brigade.
The recruitment of Prestia and Caddy could also lead to star Tiger Dustin Martin, regarded as one of the AFL's top players in one-on-one contests, spending more time forward of centre in 2017.
The Tigers have also named ex-Swan Toby Nankervis to play his first game for his new club as he sets his sights on claiming the No.1 ruck position.
However, Richmond will be without gun defender Alex Rance who is dealing with hamstring tendinitis. The Tigers are hopeful he will be fit for round one.
The Crows have picked Troy Menzel in their squad for Friday night's contest.
Menzel, formerly of the Blues and the brother of Geelong's Daniel, did not play a senior match after being traded by Carlton prior to the 2016 season.
Another given the chance to impress against the Tigers is ex-Giant Curtly Hampton, who did not get the chance to play a game for the Crows in 2016 due to a serious foot injury.
First-choice Adelaide onballers Rory Sloane (fractured eye socket), Brad Crouch (hamstring) and Scott Thompson (shoulder) are all unavailable for Friday night's contest.
Inside midfielder Myles Poholke, drafted with pick No.44 in last year's NAB AFL Draft, has also been named in Adelaide's squad.
Jordan Gallucci, the Crows' top pick (No.15 overall), has not been selected but is likely to appear in later JLT Series games.
Dean Gore, the ex-Cat who was part of the Patrick Dangerfield trade package, is also part of the 29-man Adelaide squad.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24
Richmond v Adelaide, Etihad Stadium, 7.40pm AEDT
RICHMOND
1. Nick Vlastuin, 2. Dylan Grimes, 3. Dion Prestia, 4. Dustin Martin, 5. Brandon Ellis, 6. Shaun Grigg, 7. Ben Lennon, 8. Jack Riewoldt, 9. Trent Cotchin, 10. Shane Edwards, 11. Jake Batchelor, 12. David Astbury, 17. Daniel Rioli, 20. Ivan Maric, 21. Jacob Townsend, 22. Josh Caddy, 24. Ben Griffiths, 25. Toby Nankervis, 26. Anthony Miles, 27. Sam Lloyd, 28. Taylor Hunt, 30. Reece Conca, 31. Oleg Markov, 32. Corey Ellis, 33. Kamdyn McIntosh, 35. Nathan Broad, 40. Daniel Butler, 41. Mabior Chol, 46. Jason Castagna
Notable absentees: Shai Bolton, Shaun Hampson, Kane Lambert, Connor Menadue, Steven Morris, Alex Rance
ADELAIDE
1. Jonathon Beech, 4. Josh Jenkins, 8. Jake Kelly, 10. Harrison Wigg, 12. Daniel Talia, 13. Taylor Walker, 14. David Mackay, 15. Kyle Hartigan, 17. Curtly Hampton, 18. Eddie Betts, 20. Hugh Greenwood, 21. Rory Atkins, 22. Andy Otten, 23. Charlie Cameron, 24. Sam Jacobs, 26. Richard Douglas, 27. Tom Lynch, 28. Cam Ellis-Yolmen, 29. Rory Laird, 30. Wayne Milera, 31. Myles Poholke, 32. Troy Menzel, 33. Brodie Smith, 36. Dean Gore, 37. Paul Hunter, 38. Harry Dear, 41. Mitch McGovern, 43. Reilly O’Brien, 44. Matt Crouch
Notable absentees: Kyle Cheney, Brad Crouch, Jordan Gallucci, Jake Lever, Paul Seedsman, Rory Sloane, Scott Thompson
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23
St Kilda v Port Adelaide, Etihad Stadium, 7.40pm AEDT
ST KILDA
1. Tom Hickey, 2. Jake Carlisle, 3. Jack Steven, 4. Jade Gresham, 5. Shane Savage, 6. Sebastian Ross, 7. Luke Dunstan, 8. Blake Acres, 9. Jack Steele, 12. Nick Riewoldt, 13. Jack Lonie, 14. Jarryn Geary, 15. Jack Billings, 16. Jack Newnes, 17. Dylan Roberton, 18. Billy Longer, 19. Sam Gilbert, 20. David Armitage, 22. Nathan Brown, 24. Sean Dempster, 25. Koby Stevens, 27. Josh Bruce, 28. Tim Membrey, 29. Jimmy Webster, 32. Paddy McCartin, 34. Nathan Wright, 35. Jack Sinclair, 36. Daniel McKenzie, 44. Maverick Weller
Notable absentees: Leigh Montagna, Nathan Freeman
PORT ADELAIDE
1. Travis Boak, 2. Sam Powell-Pepper, 3. Jake Neade, 4. Patrick Ryder, 7. Brad Ebert, 8. Hamish Hartlett, 11. Aaron Young, 12. Jackson Trengove, 15. Karl Amon, 16. Oliver Wines, 17. Tom Clurey, 20. Chad Wingard, 21. Jared Polec, 22. Charlie Dixon, 23. Matthew Lobbe, 24. Jarman Impey, 26. Riley Bonner, 27. Brett Eddy, 28. Willem Drew, 29. Jasper Pittard, 30. Joe Atley, 31. Aidyn Johnson, 34. Will Snelling, 36. Jack Hombsch, 39. Justin Westhoff, 42. Tom Jonas, 43. Dan Houston, 46. Sam Gray, 48. Nathan Krakouer
Notable absentees: Robbie Gray, Matthew Broadbent, Angus Monfries, Jimmy Toumpas
