The Blues showed plenty of promise for a half of football before the Swans blew them away in the second half. What will we see from Carlton in Round 1 when they face a Richmond side playing its first game of the 2026 season?
Carlton Blues vs Richmond Tigers
At half-time last week you could make the case that a new-look Carlton was ready to surge up the ladder in 2026, but Sydney’s second-half avalanche has quickly raised fresh doubts.
As for Richmond, we haven’t seen much of them in the pre-season after their Community Series match lasted just one half due to lightning.
Last year produced one of the upsets of the season when the Tigers came from 41 points down to storm past the Blues. Can lightning strike twice for Richmond?
LEG 1 - Under 173.5 Total Points
High scoring was the trend in Round 0, but both Carlton and Richmond have recently been involved in plenty of lower scoring night games.
Only three of Carlton’s last 18 night matches have gone over the total points line, while just three of Richmond’s last 11 night games have gone over.
When these sides met in Round 1 last season the total also stayed under, and with wet and cold conditions forecast in Melbourne this could buck the Round 0 scoring trend.
LEG 2 - Sam Lalor 1+ Goals
Lalor kicked at least one goal in each of his 11 appearances last season, including his memorable debut against the Blues where he helped spark Richmond’s comeback win.
He impressed in the pre-season and should spend most of his time forward while also rotating through the midfield.
LEG 3 - Sam Banks 20+ Disposals
Late in the 2025 season Sam Banks cemented his role as Richmond’s designated kicker and runner out of defence.
He averaged 23.3 disposals across his final 15 games last year, clearing 20+ in 11 of those matches.
Banks also collected 21 disposals in last year’s Round 1 clash against Carlton despite being far less established at the time.
Richmond’s backline saw plenty of the ball in the shortened Community Series clash against Melbourne, with Banks already racking up 14 disposals before the game was abandoned due to lightning.
LEG 4 - Sam Walsh 25+ Disposals
Walsh shapes as the perfect multi kicker.
He has moved into a centre-bounce midfield role this season and was one of the few bright spots in Carlton’s Round 0 loss.
Walsh collected 32 disposals against the Swans and has always been a ball magnet around the contest.
He averaged 26.3 disposals last season while playing more outside roles, so the positional change should suit him perfectly.
Same Game Multi
Under 173.5 Total Points / Lalor 1+ Goals / Banks 20+ Disposals / Walsh 25+ Disposals = $5.75
