Updated March 23, 2017 22:20:45

Photo: Dustin Martin will have three Brownlow votes next to his name after round one. (AAP: Julian Smith)

It is hard to escape the feeling that these Carlton-Richmond season openers all seem to blend into one nowadays.

At the very least, in recent years they all have followed similar scripts — the Blues have a couple of young players we want to see more of, but they lose, and the Tigers cruise to victory without truly convincing onlookers they could do the same against better opposition.

Though something a little bit different was on display for the 71,137 that filled the MCG — an aggressive, attacking Richmond side that played without fear and kicked 20 goals.

The Tigers had Carlton at arm's length from the outset, and despite a brief fade in the latter stages of the third term, ran out 20.12 (132) to 14.5 (89) winners on the opening night of 2017.

As expected, Richmond's midfield overpowered Carlton's, but it was the surprise success of a newly formed forward line that did the real damage. Jason Castagna, Dan Butler and Daniel Rioli provided the pressure and poise, taking the pressure off Jack Riewoldt who was busy but not at his most influential.

Add in four goals from Dustin Martin, the game's outstanding player by an absolute mile, and the Tigers were a constant offensive threat.

The days of the "boring Tigers" who struggled to break down any side late in 2016 appear to be behind Damien Hardwick's side, who attacked with purpose and a relentless pressure.

Though as the Tigers were running up a huge score, Carlton coach Brendon Bolton was left fuming in the coach's box as skill errors and a lack of midfield pressure killed the Blues.

Unlike Richmond, Carlton did not appear to have a clear attacking game plan. Defenders Jacob Weitering and Jack Silvagni spent substantial time in the forward line, with some success, but there was a sense of bomb and hope for the Blues.

Somewhat worryingly for Richmond, this haphazard Carlton plan worked for periods, and late in the third quarter a run of Carlton goals set up an intriguing last quarter.

But Martin was too good to be on a losing side, setting up goals to Rioli and boom recruit Josh Caddy with distinctly Dusty plays — first a brutal don't-argue for Rioli and a 75-metre torpedo for Caddy.

It wasn't all bad for Carlton, but on first viewing this season the Blues seemed to be some way behind Richmond — a team with plenty to work on itself — in terms of development.

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First posted March 23, 2017 22:10:38