Richmond’s defensive coach Ben Rutten has pinpointed a key change in Carlton’s playing style under new coach Brendon Bolton, ahead of Thursday night’s big season-opener between the Tigers and Blues at the MCG.

“The ability for them to take space and defend as a team is going to be the biggest difference I think we notice tomorrow night . . . The way they defend now is a bit more team-orientated,” Rutten told Tiger great Matthew Richardson in the first episode of ‘Opposition Analysis’ for 2016 on ‘Roar Vision’.

Rutten also highlighted the Blues’ top-class on-ball brigade, led by their captain Marc Murphy, dynamic youngster Patrick Cripps, Bryce Gibbs and No. 1 ruckman Matthew Kreuzer.

“There are No. 1 draft picks all through their midfield and Cripps has just been dominating the clearances, so we’re not underestimating their midfield by any stretch,” he said.

Rutten believes the key one-on-one duel in the opening round clash will be between Richmond’s star key defender Alex Rance and Carlton’s powerfully-built, go-to forward Levi Casboult.

“He (Casboult) jumps at the footy really well and can take a really good mark.  But obviously Alex (Rance) has had a couple of really standout years and is one of the dominant defenders in the competition.  So it should be a pivotal match-up,” Rutten said.

“The way we defend it’s not just going to be Alex who beats Levi, or whoever. 

“Our defence starts in the forward line, really, and we defend well as a team.  So, he’ll get some support throughout . . .”