Richmond has made four changes from its 2017 premiership side for Thursday night’s blockbuster 2018 season-opener against Carlton at the MCG.

Bachar Houli (calf), Dion Prestia (hamstring), Daniel Rioli (foot) and Nathan Broad (suspension) are missing from the Tigers’ team that defeated Adelaide by 48 points in last year’s Grand Final.

They have been replaced in the line-up by a quartet of impressive performers over the course of Richmond’s pre-season – Jayden Short, Corey Ellis, Reece Conca and Shai Bolton.

Get all the game day information for Thursday night's match against Carlton

Short, 22, made 16 senior appearances in 2017 and was named as an emergency for the Tigers’ Grand Final team.

He underwent shoulder surgery at the end of last season, but made a strong recovery.

Ellis, 21, played six senior games in the 2017 season and also was an emergency for the team on Grand Final day.

Conca, 25, managed only six senior games last year because of further injury problems, but now appears set to capitalise on an uninterrupted pre-season this time around.

See Carlton's team for Thursday night's Round 1 clash at the MCG

Bolton, 19, produced some flashes of sheer brilliance throughout six games at senior level with Richmond in his 2017 debut season of AFL football, as well as across the recent JLT Community Series.

The Tigers’ four emergencies for the opening round clash are Anthony Miles, Sam Lloyd, Callum Moore and Ivan Soldo.