Richmond coach Damien Hardwick is under no illusion as to the magnitude of the task confronting his Tiger team in Thursday night’s blockbuster season-opener against the Mick Malthouse-coached Carlton at the MCG.

“There’s no bigger first-up test than Carlton, who have played some outstanding footy under Mick over the first three or four games (in the pre-season competition).  It’s a big challenge for us, no doubt,” Hardwick said.

“They’re very different to what they were last year. 

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"As Mick said, it’s probably going to take them a little bit of time to come up to the standard that he had the Collingwood side, but we’ve got no doubt they’re going to be a very formidable outfit.

“Mick coaches very, very well . . . we’re certainly going to have our hands full.

“They’re very much a down-the-line side now, as Collingwood were previously . . .

“He’s had great success with that game plan over the course of more than two decades, so there’s no doubt he won’t divert much from it – and why would he with that success rate.

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"They play a completely different game style to what they did last year, and there are some things we’ll take into the game that we wouldn’t have normally.

“We look forward to implementing those and seeing how they turn out.”

Hardwick also remains wary of champion Carlton midfielder, Chris Judd, despite his fairly limited pre-season preparation.

“I’ve got no doubt that he’ll be in the middle for the first centre bounce,” Hardwick said.

“He’s an elite clearance player and champions don’t forget how to play – they just flick the switch and off they go.

“Look, he’s a player that’s burned us in the past, so we’re certainly going to be aware of him . . .”