Ahead of Thursday night's season opener between Richmond and Carlton, Gerard Whateley has ranked all nine round one games in order of importance.
On SEN's morning show Whateley, the journalist and commentator ran through all nine games, deeming some more important than others, and suggesting the Melbourne vs. Geelong clash on Sunday was the most important match of the opening round.
"Two top four contenders. Two premiership aspirants," Whateley said of the contest between the Demons and Cats.
"The return of Gary Ablett in the hoops, a sight unseen through the preseason. Joel Selwood in his 250th game.
"The Demons with Jake Lever, Max Gawn and Jesse Hogan down the spine.
"Are these two teams everything we expect?"
The Thursday night blockbuster between the Tigers and Blues ranks as low as sixth on Whateley's list, suggesting the night will be more about the spectacle of the evening and not the result, given Carlton have failed to beat the Tigers in their past six encounters.
The least important game of the round according to Whateley is Saturday's Port Adelaide vs. Fremantle clash.
Whateley ranks every round one game in order of importance
1 - Melbourne v Geelong
2 - Essendon v Adelaide
3 - GWS Giants v Western Bulldogs
4 - Hawthorn v Collingwood
5 - West Coast v Sydney Swans
6 - Richmond v Carlton
7 - Gold Coast v North Melbourne
8 - St Kilda v Brisbane Lions
9 - Port Adelaide v Fremantle
