Richmond great Matthew Richardson sees positives in the fact the Tigers will be going into the opening round clash with arch rival Carlton minus their star playmaker Brett Deledio, No.1 ruckman Ivan Maric, and valuable midfielder Shaun Grigg.

Richardson feels the opportunities handed to those players’ replacements can only benefit the side in the long run.

“If you want to be a good team, you need depth,” Richardson said on this week’s episode of the Club’s official podcast ‘Talking Tigers.

“The depth will be tested a little bit with a couple of stars out, but that’s what you need . . . to be tested.

“You need to be able to cover injuries and, yes, we do have a few to key players, but I think that the boys are ready to go.”

Richardson likes the inclusion of clever forward Sam Lloyd in Richmond’s line-up for the season-opener.

“He’s a proven goalkicker.  I think he’s kicked three goals on five or more occasions, Richardson said.”