Four players will make their senior debuts for Richmond in Thursday night’s season-opener against Carlton at the MCG – mature-age recruits Dion Prestia, Josh Caddy and Toby Nankervis, along with Dan Butler, who is set to play his first game of AFL football after being on the Club’s list since late 2014.
Prestia, Caddy and Nankervis joined the Tigers during the trade period at the end of last season.
The 24-year-old Prestia, a top-class, ‘ball-magnet’ midfielder, had played 95 games in six seasons for Gold Coast and was the Suns’ vice-captain from 2014-16.
Get all the game day information for Thursday night' Season Opener against Carlton
Caddy, also 24, a strongly-built, goalkicking midfielder, started his AFL career with Gold Coast (24 games and 17 goals in two seasons), before transferring to Geelong, where he played 71 goals and kicked 59 goals, including a league career-high 21 last year.
Nankervis, 22, a tough, aggressive ruckman with good skills and mobility, played 12 games in three seasons at Sydney. He made the move to Punt Road seeking greater senior opportunities.
Butler, 20, a speedy, skilful small forward, was Richmond’s fourth pick (No. 67 overall) in the 2014 AFL National Draft.
His first season at the Club was ruined by a severe knee injury, but he showed promising signs at stages in the VFL last year.
He’s earned his senior call-up on the back of a strong work ethic throughout this pre-season and some eye-catching efforts in the JLT Community Series.
See how Carlton will line up in Thursday night's Round 1 clash at the MCG
Lively young forward Jason Castagna also has been selected in the Tigers’ opening round line-up after an impressive pre-season.
Castagna, who played five senior games for Richmond in 2016, was upgraded from the Club’s rookie list to the primary list earlier today.
The Tigers’ three emergencies for the opening round are Ivan Maric, Kane Lambert and Anthony Miles.
Richmond Round 1 Team
B: Astbury, Rance, Grimes
HB: McIntosh, Hunt, B. Ellis
C: Vlastuin, Edwards, Cotchin
HF: Martin, Rioli, Castagna
F: Riewoldt, Lloyd, Butler
R: Nankervis, Grigg, Caddy
IC: Conca, Griffiths, Houli, Prestia
Em: Maric, Lambert, Miles
New: Butler, Caddy, Nankervis, Prestia
Milestone: Bachar Houli, 150th AFL game
