FAN FRENZY

Record 90,000-plus crowd tip for season opener

THE biggest crowd for a Round 1 match in AFL history is expected to converge on the MCG on Thursday night to see Richmond unfurl its premiership flag and take on traditional rival Carlton in the 2018 season opener.

The reigning premier believes huge support from the Tiger Army has it on track to easily break through the 90,000-fan mark.

The AFL says even hitting that mark for the 12th time in home-and-away history would be a significant feat.

Richmond will unfurl the official premiership flag with a simple ceremony at the Punt Road end of the MCG before Thursday’s clash.

Rather than a longwinded ceremony with a guard of hon- our from former players, the event will feature some video highlights, a short speech and a nod to the fans’ role in the premiership.

Richmond’s ticket pre-sale numbers are much stronger than for Round 5’s pre-Anzac Day contest last year where it drew 85,657 to the home contest.

AFL spokesman Patrick Keane said breaking the 90,000 barrier would still be a challenge in the home-andaway season.

“We are hopeful we can get the low 90,000s. To get there you need outstanding member turnout, you need both the MCC and AFL members’ sections really full,’’ he said. “You need everyone who has bought tickets to turn up, so we are hopeful but it will be a really big effort to get 90,000.”

In 1995 Carlton and Collingwood drew a record Round 1 crowd of 87,119, with Ben Cousins’s Richmond debut against Carlton in 2009 watched by 87,043 fans.

As Dustin Martin prepares to repay Richmond’s investment on his seven-year contract, Carlton faces key questions on whether to send tagger Ed Curnow to his side.

In Round 1 last year he dominated the Blues with 33 possessions and four goals while also handing off several more goals to teammates.

In Round 14 Carlton’s Curnow was partially successful early as he tagged Martin for 70 minutes, the most of any player in the competition last season. But as Curnow suffered a serious throat injury that would end his season, Martin rallied with 30 possessions.

Carlton legend Anthony Koutoufides said yesterday it was an impossible decision on whether to tag Martin.

“He is so unstoppable. You want to keep him in check and hope his possessions aren’t that effective. But when you have a game plan you have to stick to it,’’ he said.

“If you focus too much on one person it can change everything. I don’t know if it’s one specific person [who plays on Martin].”