With less than 70 days remaining to the opening round of the 2010 home and away season, it’s time to name your Carlton team to take on Richmond at the place where premierships are won.
In finalising my own 22 for the MCG on the night of Thursday, March 25, 2010, I’ve revisited the playing group which last took to the field for the 2nd Elimination Final against Brisbane at the Gabba over four months ago.
In my humble opinion, the Carlton team to meet Richmond in Round One will include nine players who weren’t present at the Gabba, with four of them - Lachlan Henderson, Kane Lucas, Brock McLean and Robert Warnock - on debut for the Blues.
Five more players who for varying reasons didn’t follow Chris Judd onto the Gabba - Michael Jamison, Setanta O’hAilpin, Chris Yarran, Jarred Waite and Mitch Robinson (who booted three goals on debut in the corresponding encounter last year) - also force their way in.
My 22-man team appears as follows, but what’s the make-up of your final 22?
Does Betts, Houlihan and Walker make it?
Do you start with Kreuzer at centre half-forward or first ruck?
Do you include Hampson as another tall option?
And who tosses the coin in Chris Judd’s absence?
In the case of the latter, I’ve tossed a coin and pitched for Kade Simpson over Andrew Carrazzo.
Feel free to play selector and name your own Carlton team to take on the Tigers. Perhaps you can come up with a better 22 for the all-important opening round, in what also doubles as the 100th and 150th senior appearances for Andrew Carrazzo and Bret Thornton respectively.
Tony De Bolfo’s team for the opening round match with Richmond at the MCG, Thursday, March 25, 2010
Backs: Bower, Jamison, O’hAilpin
Half-backs: Russell, Thornton, Armfield
Centres: Carrazzo, Gibbs, Simpson (capt.)
Half-forwards: Grigg, Kreuzer, Yarran
Forwards: Waite, Henderson, Robinson
Rucks: Warnock, McLean, Murphy
Interchange: Joseph, Wiggins, Lucas, Scotland
Have Your Say
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Please Note: the views expressed in the above article are solely the opinion of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Carlton Football Club.
