RICHMOND'S top-10 draft pick Josh Gibcus will make his debut in Thursday night's blockbuster round-one match against Carlton.

The Tigers also expect new co-captains Toby Nankervis and Dylan Grimes to lead them in the MCG clash, which could attract a crowd of more than 80,000.

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Nankervis has been isolating at home since last Wednesday under COVID-19 protocols while Grimes has made a quick recovery from thumb surgery.

Grimes had the operation on Tuesday of last week and attended the annual captains' season launch media opportunity the next day with his left hand wrapped in bandages.

Coach Damien Hardwick announced to the players before Tuesday training that Gibcus would play this week.

The Tigers took the key defender at No.9 in the draft last November and he made an eye-catching start in the pre-season.

"There’s nothing more exciting than when you add a new face," Hardwick told the players. 

"It’s exciting, first and foremost, for Josh and his family, but it’s exciting for us as a team.

"We’re very fortunate to have first-gamers come in and make an immediate contribution.

"Look forward to it, mate. Just bring your strengths, that’s all you’ve gotta do."

The coach was also optimistic about Grimes and Nankervis playing against Carlton.

"Dylan has responded really well, actually, we probably thought he'd be in some form of doubt," he said.

"Nank won't train today, he's (under) health and safety protocols, but he'll be available to play.

"You can imagine what his house is like, he'd be running through walls. Hopefully his house needs a bit of demo work."

Hardwick said Kane Lambert, after meeting with surgeons, has started a training block and will try to "push through" his hip injury.

Nick Vlastuin had a setback in his recovery and Hardwick said he would miss a couple of weeks but fellow hamstring injury victim Jack Graham is a chance to play against the Blues.

Noah Balta will play his first AFL game since round 15 last season and the Tigers plan to have him in attack alongside Jack Riewoldt and Tom Lynch.

"It's an exciting thing for us to see, we haven't played with three (tall forwards) before but we'll probably get a good look at it come Thursday night," Hardwick said.

Former North Melbourne key defender Robbie Tarrant will play his first senior game for the Tigers despite struggling in their first pre-season hit-out.

"His first game against Geelong, he was a bit apologetic," Hardwick said.

"But then he moved forward against Hawthorn and we expect him to take another big step forward against Carlton.

"He's just an A1 bloke and an A1 player ... we're very excited to have him."

After missing the finals last year for the first time since 2016, Hardwick said the pre-season had been about "recapturing our DNA, what we thought we lost".

Hardwick paid tribute to president Peggy O'Neal, who has announced she will step down from the role at the end of the season.

O'Neal backed Hardwick when he was under pressure after the 2016 campaign and her faith was rewarded with three premierships.

"Hopefully we give her a season to celebrate as her last," he said.