Richmond captain Trent Cotchin withdrawn from season opener

Richmond Tigers captain Trent Cotchin has been withdrawn from Thursday evening’s season opener after being struck down by a bout of gastro.

The defending premiers will face Carlton at the MCG for their round one encounter, the first AFL match in Victoria with spectators since the 2019 Grand Final.

The Tigers are set to unfurl two premiership flags in front of a sellout crowd at the iconic venue, with a 50 per cent capacity limit in place.

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But hours out from the first bounce, several reports emerged that Cotchin was in serious doubt to play in the highly-anticipated contest after being struck with illness.

The 30-year-old reportedly did not train with teammates during a light session on Wednesday, and his situation worsened on Thursday.

The Age’s Daniel Cherny tweeted on Thursday afternoon: “Richmond said this morning that Trent Cotchin was not in doubt, but things have gone downhill since then and there is now major doubt over his availability.”

It will be the first time Cotchin has not featured in Richmond’s round one fixture since 2009.

The star midfielder is a three-time best and fairest winner and was a Brownlow Medallist in 2012.

As a result, one of the Tigers emergencies Marlion Pickett, Mabior Chol, Jack Ross and Will Martyn will come into the side’s 22.

On Tuesday, Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said he was “dying” to give Ross an opportunity, and foxsports.com.au reported the 20-year-old has been told he will replace Cotchin.

Thursday’s game will also provide AFL fans with their first glimpse of the controversial medical substitution rule, which was announced on Wednesday.

Carlton has not recorded a win against Richmond in the AFL since the 2013 post-season, where the Tigers were knocked out in an elimination final. Since then, Richmond has won 10 consecutive games against the Blues.

Unfortunately for Carlton, a cluster of injuries has damaged their chances of ending the eight-year drought on Thursday evening.

Veteran small forward Eddie Betts is still recovering from a calf complaint, while Charlie Curnow (knee) and Mitch McGovern (hamstring) will also be unavailable for the round one fixture.

New recruit Zac Williams will have to wait for his debut game with the Blues after copping a one-match suspension for a high bump on St Kilda’s Hunter Clark during the AAMI Community Series.

However, young midfielder Lachie Fogarty and former Bomber Adam Saad are expected to make their Carlton debuts.

Meanwhile, Richmond look set to field a near full-strength side at the MCG, with Bachar Houli and Cotchin the only notable absentees from the 22 announced on Wednesday.

The first bounce is scheduled for 7:25pm AEDT.

RICHMOND VS CARLTON TEAMS

Richmond

B: D.Astbury, D.Grimes, N.Balta

HB: L.Baker, N.Vlastuin, J.Short

C: D.Prestia, T.Cotchin, K.Lambert

HF: J.Aarts, S.Bolton, J.Castagna

F: T.Lynch, D.Martin, J.Riewoldt

FOLL: T.Nankervis, K.McIntosh, J.Caddy

I/C: D.Rioli, N.Broad, J.Graham, S.Edwards

EMG: M.Pickett, W.Martyn, J.Ross, M.Chol

Carlton

B: L.Plowman, L.Jones, T.Williamson

HB: S.Docherty, J.Weitering, A.Saad

C: W.Setterfield, P.Cripps, M.Murphy

HF: L.Fogarty, H.McKay, J.Newnes

F: Z.Fisher, J.Silvagni, M.Gibbons

FOLL: M.Pittonet, P.Dow, S.Walsh

I/C: S.Petrevski-Seton, L.O’Brien, L.Casboult, E.Curnow

EMG: M.Cottrell, O.McDonald, L.Stocker, M.Kennedy