Richmond skipper Trent Cotchin has been ruled out of tonight's season opener, with Jack Ross set to replace his skipper.

SEN's Sam Edmund first reported earlier on Thursday that Cotchin was in doubt to face the Blues after being struck down with a bout of gastro.

The midfielder did not train yesterday but was believed to be a chance to line-up in the MCG clash, with the Tigers saying today at lunchtime he was “very much in the mix”.

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However, Cotchin has since gone downhill and has since been confirmed as a late withdrawal by the Tigers.

Ross is set to be added to Damien Hardwick's 22 after initially being named as emergency, with Marlion Pickett, Mabior Chol and Will Martyn all missing out the premature call-up, per Fox Footy's Tom Morris.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 21: Trent Cotchin of the Tigers spoils ahead of Marc Murphy of the Blues during the 2019 AFL round 01 match between the Carlton Blues and the Richmond Tigers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 21, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos/Getty Images)

The Tigers are at near full strength outside of Bachar Houli (calf) and Ivan Soldo (ACL).

Meanwhile, the Blues go into the contest without a host of players from its best 22, including  Zac Williams, Jack Martin, Eddie Betts, Mitch McGovern, Caleb Marchbank, Tom De Koning, Nic Newman and Charlie Curnow.

Tonight's clash will get underway at 7.25pm AEDT, with final teams to be confirmed an hour before the first bounce.