Digby Beacham’s AFL Preview: Round 1

Posted on March 13, 2025March 13, 2025 | Posted by Digby Beacham

THURSDAY

Richmond v Carlton, MCG, 4.30pm

To say it has been somewhat of a disrupted pre-season (on and off the field) at Carlton is a massive understatement. To say it influences the result in this encounter would be a significant reach.

The Blues are in finals mode. Richmond are in rebuilding mode, some would even say survival mode. They are going to cop some frightful hidings in 2025 and it could well start here against a Blues side that is missing key players in all three areas of the ground yet simply has far too much class to be troubled.

The Tigers have made a concerted effort to strip it right back and inject as much young talent into Punt Road before the new Tasmanian side makes its entrance into the competition. In all likelihood, Richmond have a crack early before being worn down by the depth and experience of Carlton, led superbly by dual Brownlow medallist Patrick Cripps.

VERDICT: Carlton to win by 40 points or more @ $1.49*

Same Game Multi: Carlton to win by 25 points or more, Blake Acres to have 20+ possessions and Adam Cerra to have 25+ possessions @ $2.95

*Odds correct at the time of publication.

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