TEAM EXPLAINED: It's much of the same for Richmond's round-one team, with only three changes from the side which lost the preliminary final. Reece Conca (Fremantle) is replaced by classy forward Dan Butler, who had an ankle injury late in the season. The big off-season recruit, Tom Lynch, slots straight into full-forward, with a slight rejigging of the side – Shane Edwards moving further up the ground – meaning wingman Kamdyn McIntosh misses out. It's almost a flip of the coin between Brandon Ellis and Nathan Broad, as was the case late in the season. It comes down to opposition match-ups, with Ellis a running defender and Broad a lock-down who allows Alex Rance to roam free. Ellis just makes it on disposal ability. With all of Richmond's draftees being midfielders, none is able to break into the well-established Tiger engine room.
PRE-SEASON BATTLE: Will Shai Bolton force his way into the top echelon of Richmond's mosquito fleet over summer? The highly talented Bolton is coming into his third year at the club and has been unable to make a spot his own. Housemates Jason Castagna and Butler could be two within reach of Bolton, as Daniel Rioli and Jack Higgins are able to also push up the ground.
B: Dylan Grimes, David Astbury, Alex Rance
HB: Bachar Houli, Nick Vlastuin, Jayden Short
C: Shaun Grigg, Dustin Martin, Shane Edwards
HF: Dan Butler, Jack Riewoldt, Daniel Rioli
F: Josh Caddy, Tom Lynch, Jack Higgins
Foll: Toby Nankervis, Dion Prestia, Trent Cotchin
I/C: Brandon Ellis, Jason Castagna, Kane Lambert, Jack Graham
Defender depth: Nathan Broad, Oleg Markov, Ryan Garthwaite, Patrick Naish, Ben Miller, Derek Eggmolesse-Smith
Forward depth: Shai Bolton, Callum Moore, Jacob Townsend, Noah Balta, Mav Weller, Liam Baker, Mabior Chol, Jake Aarts
Midfield depth: Kamdyn McIntosh, Connor Menadue, Riley Collier-Dawkins, Luke English, Jack Ross, Fraser Turner
Ruck depth: Ivan Soldo, Callum Coleman-Jones
