Glascott was chosen by the club to present Mullett’s jumper because both of them are wingmen. Between them, Williams, Johnston, Bradley and Glascott played in 10 premierships – something the Blues hope will rub off. Johnston, who knows all about the big occasion, said anything was possible on Thursday night. “Round ones are always an unknown quantity,” he told Fairfax Media. “I debuted in front of about 80,000, that was on a Saturday afternoon against Essendon out at Waverley, but it’s going to be a belter.

“The Tigers are unfurling their flag … it would be lovely to kick their butt, actually. It would be really nice, to be honest.” Bradley, the games record-holder (375 games) at Princes Park, was glowing with enthusiasm when he found out he was presenting the No. 21 guernsey to a debutant about to play front of 90,000-plus at the MCG. “It’s not a bad first game, is it? Fantastic, that’s pretty special. Strewth. “It’s amazing. Yeah, he’ll get a little surprise when he runs out, when he hears the roar of the crowd. ''You sort of can’t describe (the atmosphere of such a big crowd). It’s just a fantastic experience. Money can’t buy it.”

Bolton, arguably the most bullish he’s been publicly since taking over as head coach, said he was looking forward to a stable team that was going to find a more attacking edge. “For the last couple of years, we’ve done what our Bluebaggers wanted us to do and that is go to the draft,” Bolton said. “Now we don’t want to make so many changes. We want to consolidate and build synergy with this group. Really, there’s no ceiling on it. It’s a young group but it’s really exciting. “We’ve added some offensive layers, which are a work in progress, but I think the signs are promising that it’s heading in the right direction. That’s all been deliberate.” Shai Bolton will provide Richmond with plenty of pace. Credit:AAP

Injured best-and-fairest winner Sam Docherty, who will miss the year with a knee injury, will essentially act as an assistant coach on the bench, after the club sought permission from the AFL. Bolton lauded Docherty’s commitment to the group after the devastating news that he ruptured his AFL early in the pre-season. "Full credit to the AFL and Steve Hocking; they've given him the green light to be down on the interchange," Bolton said. "In time, Sam's adamant he wants to coach – I know that's a long way away yet. But when people are on long-term (injury layoffs) you can get disconnected really quickly and the AFL have recognised that and (let him) be on the bench and be an extension of us (coaching staff). "That allows Sam to do what his passion is in the longer term, which is to coach."

RICHMOND v CARLTON

MCG, Thursday at 7:25pm RICHMOND

B: A.Rance 18 D.Astbury 12 D.Grimes 2

HB: N.Vlastuin 1 J.Short 15 B.Ellis 5

C: S.Grigg 6 S.Edwards 10 T.Cotchin 9

HF: J.Castagna 11 J.Graham 34 J.Townsend 21

F: J.Riewoldt 8 J.Caddy 22 D.Butler 7

Foll: T.Nankervis 25 K.Lambert 23 D.Martin 4

Inter: R.Conca 30 S.Bolton 29 K.McIntosh 33 C.Ellis 32

Emerg: A.Miles 26 S.Lloyd 27 C.Moore 36 I.Soldo 47 CARLTON

B: K.Simpson 6 L.Jones 14 C.Marchbank 22

HB: D.Thomas 39 J.Weitering 23 L.Plowman 20

C: A.Mullett 18 P.Cripps 9 M.Murphy 3

HF: Z.Fisher 25 L.Casboult 41 J.Garlett 21

F: M.Wright 46 C.Curnow 30 J.Silvagni 1

Foll: M.Kreuzer 8, M.Kennedy 7 S.Petrevski-Seton 5

IC: E.Curnow 35 C.Byrne 38 P.Dow 2, J.Lamb 13

Emerg: D.Cuningham 28 C.Polson 29 H.McKay 10

New: P Dow (debut); M Kennedy (GWS), J Garlett (GC Suns/Sth Fremantle), A Mullett (N Melb).