• Blues name surprise emergencies
• Top draft pick in despite no JLT
• Star recruits in for Tigers
• Full match preview
CARLTON will unveil four new faces, including first-round draftee Sam Petrevski-Seton, in Thursday night's season opener against Richmond at the MCG.
Petrevski-Seton, pick No.6 overall in last year's NAB AFL Draft will make his debut for the Blues, despite not appearing in any JLT Community Series matches due to a quad injury.
The 19-year-old suffered the minor strain to his left quad in February, with the Blues placing him on a program to have him ready and available to play in round one.
Off-season recruits Caleb Marchbank, Jarrod Pickett and Billie Smedts are all set to appear for their new club for the first time.
Former Giant Rhys Palmer and defender Harrison Macreadie (pick No.47) have been named as emergencies, along with ball-winning midfielder Sam Kerridge.
Kerridge averaged 21.3 disposals per game in 21 games for the Blues last season.
Richmond will also have a number of new players in its side, led by key recruits Dion Prestia, Josh Caddy and Toby Nankervis.
Ex-Sun Prestia will run out for his first home and away season game, he played in two of the Tigers' pre-season games, since round 16 last season due to a knee problem that required surgery.
Former Cat Caddy will add to the Tigers' midfield depth, while Nankervis has positioned himself as the club's No.1 ruckman after an impressive pre-season and the injury to Shaun Hampson.
As announced by Tigers coach Damien Hardwick earlier on Wednesday, rookie Jason Castagna has been upgraded to the senior list (in place of the retired Chris Yarran) and will play against the Blues.
Castagna played five matches for the Tigers in 2016 after being promoted from the rookie list.
Speedy Richmond forward Dan Butler, whose forward pressure stood out in the JLT Community Series, will also make his debut for the Tigers.
Butler suffered persistent knee issues throughout 2015 after being drafted with pick No.67 in the 2014 draft.
The small forward put together consistent footy in 2016 and proved to be a surprise packet for the Tigers across the pre-season competition.
Veteran Ivan Maric and solid onballers Anthony Miles and Kane Lambert have not made the final cut and have been named as emergencies.
Miles played 19 matches for the Tigers in 2016, while Kane Lambert managed 15 with Hardwick giving the pair plenty of opportunities to establish themselves in the team.
Carlton v Richmond at the MCG, Thursday, March 23 at 7.20pm AEDT
CARLTON
New: Sam Petreveski-Seton (Claremont), Jarrod Pickett (GWS), Caleb Marchbank (GWS), Billie Smedts (Geelong)
RICHMOND
New: Dan Butler (North Ballarat), Dion Prestia (Gold Coast), Josh Caddy (Geelong), Toby Nankervis (Sydney)
