RICHMOND will unleash a new-look forward line for its season opener against Carlton, with star recruit Tom Lynch to be joined by Mav Weller and debutant Noah Balta at the MCG.
Balta is a second-year man-mountain and is as athletic as champion full-back Alex Rance, according to Tiger coach Damien Hardwick.
The 194cm beast was the 25th pick in the 2017 NAB AFL Draft and has been rewarded for his promising JLT Community Series form.
Former Saint and Sun Weller arrived at the Tigers via the new pre-season supplemental rule after he was delisted by St Kilda.
Hardwick had already confirmed on Wednesday that Lynch would play his first game for the club, following a high-profile move from the Suns last October.
See the full team line-ups here
Brandon Ellis is one of five premiership Tigers not named (he is on the emergency list), with Josh Caddy (ankle), Shaun Grigg (knee), Jason Castagna (ankle) and Jacob Townsend (thigh) also missing out.
Carlton will blood six fresh faces, with debutants Sam Walsh and Michael Gibbons to be joined by recruits new Mitch McGovern, Will Setterfield, Nic Newman and Alex Fasolo.
However, ruckman Matthew Kreuzer will miss the clash as he continues his recovery from knee surgery undertaken in January, with Andrew Phillips to deputise in his absence.
Thursday, March 21
Carlton v Richmond at the MCG, 7.25pm AEDT
CARLTON
New: Sam Walsh (Geelong U18), Michael Gibbons (Williamstown), Mitch McGovern (Adelaide), Alex Fasolo (Collingwood), Will Setterfield (Greater Western Sydney), Nic Newman (Sydney)
Notable absentees: Sam Docherty, Matthew Kreuzer, Jarrod Pickett, Levi Casboult, Matthew Kennedy, Jack Silvagni
RICHMOND
New: Tom Lynch (Gold Coast), Maverick Weller (St Kilda)
Notable absentees: Josh Caddy, Shaun Grigg, Brandon Ellis, Jason Castagna, Jacob Townsend
