Carlton Blues 2012 season preview
Roar Guru By Cameron Larkin, 21 Feb 2012 Cameron Larkin is a Roar Guru
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- 2012 AFL season, AFL, Brett Ratten, Bryce Gibbs, Carlton, Carlton Blues, Chris Judd, Marc Murphy
Carlton vs Hawthorn.
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High expectations. Top four contenders. Challengers for the flag. This is one team that can be summed up in several words.
Carlton made it to the past three finals series and last season won their first finals game (defeated Essendon) since 2001.
Brett Ratten has been kept on as head coach and the team should have all the big guns back from resting on the sideline with injuries.
As the Blues strive for flag number 17, the question that will hover around Ratten’s head as well as his talent young side is, will they deliver in 2012?
Carlton showed the league last year that they now possess an elite engine room – a midfield comprising Judd, Murphy, Gibbs and the ever-improving Robbie Warnock who had a solid 2011 season that was interrupted by injuries only to come back and perform big in two finals games.
Once again, Judd had a very good season last year however the one thing I like about the way this Carlton team played was that they were less reliant on their captain – almost everyone else stepped up and Murph and Gibbs went into the elite category.
Murphy was recognised by the match committee of having a better year than Judd and duly won the club best and fairest. With Gibbs, his efforts were not purely shown in the midfield, but all over the ground – particularly in the defensive half.
The Blues possess depth in each position, similar to Geelong and Hawthorn when you look at the key positions.
Behind the elite three, Carlton has significant contributors in Scotland, Waite, Simpson, Carrazzo, Betts, Walker, Russell and Mitch Robinson.
Player who I have a watch tag on in 2012 are David Ellard – second at the club in tackles and fourth in hardball gets. He ranks right up there with James Kelly and Jude Bolton in these areas. Ellard is very good in clearances and makes the score tacker work during the game. Jamison is another who was in very good form last season – All-Australia form until he suffered an injury.
Rohan Kerr, the 59th pick in the 2009 draft – he has been in the VFL for the past two seasons. Jeremy Laider, a promising defender who started his career at Geelong – only two games however. Sam Rowe is the other who could be a sound forward/ruck for the Blues.
Ratten has set the mark high for his team across the next three years – a premiership to come within that timeframe. For this to happen, they need to beat the best in the business: Geelong, Collingwood, Hawthorn, St Kilda and West Coast – all sides that they couldn’t get by in 2011.
Don’t be surprised if this season is a Blues year.
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The Crowd Says (22) | Page 1 of Comments
Have Your Say
- Explore:
- 2012 AFL season, AFL, Brett Ratten, Bryce Gibbs, Carlton, Carlton Blues, Chris Judd, Marc Murphy
February 21st 2012 @ 8:58am
TomC said | February 21st 2012 @ 8:58am | Report comment
It’s still hard to get excited about the Blues’ KPP prospects. To turn this team into a genuine premiership contender I’d argue they need improvement out of each of Thornton, Jamison, Henderson, Kreuzer and Waite, and in particular the latter two to stay injury free.
When you’re weak in the key positions, you’re always a chance to get blown away by long-kicking, direct teams.
February 21st 2012 @ 9:13am
Macca said | February 21st 2012 @ 9:13am | Report comment
Tomc – Jamison was a monty for All Australian Full Back Last year until he got injured so not sure how much more improvement you expect from him, Henderson & Kreuzer will both improve from last year, where they missed substantial amounts of footy through injury, simply by getting another preseason under their belt.
It’s more Warnock & Hampson tht the blues really need improvement from, if these 2 can get to the level many believe they can play at the blues midfield will be getting some silver service and they will have plenty of marking options going forward.
February 21st 2012 @ 9:23am
TomC said | February 21st 2012 @ 9:23am | Report comment
Yes, probably a bit harsh on Jamison. Although personally I’d say Daniel Merrett was a good thing for the AA spot until he got injured, round about the same time!
February 21st 2012 @ 9:31am
Macca said | February 21st 2012 @ 9:31am | Report comment
Couldn’t really comment on Merrett now, recollection is a bit hazy, although Jamison playing in a more successful side could of got him the bickies.
I would also say that if Henderson can hold down CHB (which he did pretty well last year) the blue backline looks very solid, with Laidler Jamison, Yarran, Duigan, Henderson & Scotland/Russell/Lucas
February 21st 2012 @ 11:03am
Cameron Larkin said | February 21st 2012 @ 11:03am | Report comment
Warnock was very good in the finals Carlton played in.
February 21st 2012 @ 11:08am
Macca said | February 21st 2012 @ 11:08am | Report comment
Certainly was, and put another preseason into that frame and he might be about to really stamp his authority on the game.
With Hampson being one of the quickest players on the blues list (and having had eye surgery) and Kreuzer being almost a ruck rover it could be an area the blues really improve this year.
February 21st 2012 @ 11:39am
Cameron Larkin said | February 21st 2012 @ 11:39am | Report comment
A fit Kruzeeee this year up forward could be a big difference for the Blues overcoming the Pies, Cats and Hawks.
February 21st 2012 @ 11:49am
Macca said | February 21st 2012 @ 11:49am | Report comment
I am not sure they will want to push Kreuzer to far forward, I think him and Waite will play the high forward, pushing through the midfield as targets coming out of defence, Hampson & Warnock will play the ruck/deep forward role, Walker the leading forward with Betts & Garlett the crumbers.
I also expect Judd Murphy & Gibbbs to be floated through the forward line so they should have a lot of attacking options.
February 22nd 2012 @ 2:25pm
Steve said | February 22nd 2012 @ 2:25pm | Report comment
TomC…did you see last season by Thornton. He was sensational and his improvement has already come. How are Carlton weak in key positions? Jamison, Warnock, Kreuzer, and Waite all weak? Really?
February 21st 2012 @ 3:58pm
Tom Dimanis said | February 21st 2012 @ 3:58pm | Report comment
The Blues will be up there BUT they really need a good key forward to get hold of the cup. I dare say Kreuzer will spend some time up there but he’s better around the ground. All the top four sides from last year possessed at least one good tall in their forward structures.
February 21st 2012 @ 4:08pm
Macca said | February 21st 2012 @ 4:08pm | Report comment
Kreuzer, Waite, Warnock/Hampson plus Walker V Darling, Lynch, Natanui/Cox is a reasonable comparison. It doesn’t measure up too bad against Geelong & Collingwood either really (providing the three blue ruckmen improve as expected).
They don’t have a franklin but then who does.
February 22nd 2012 @ 12:18pm
The Cattery said | February 22nd 2012 @ 12:18pm | Report comment
I was surprised to discover that Carlton has $10 mill in debt:
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/129346/default.aspx
They managed to reduce that debt by $700k last year, and are planning to reduce the remainder over the next five years in quite an ambitious plan. They are aiming for 50,000 members this season, which they are on track in achieving.
February 22nd 2012 @ 9:30pm
Andyc said | February 22nd 2012 @ 9:30pm | Report comment
Kernahan did say in an interview with “One week at a time” last season that they were $8 million in debt which is the major reason they were so keen to bludgeon the Northern Bullants out of existence. With the ‘help’ of AFL Victoria and Darebin council, Carlton now a stand alone VFL side.
February 23rd 2012 @ 12:19pm
samwise said | February 23rd 2012 @ 12:19pm | Report comment
I thought they’d just done a deal to change the name to the Northern Blues?
February 23rd 2012 @ 12:22pm
The_Wookie said | February 23rd 2012 @ 12:22pm | Report comment
they’ve more or less taken over the Bullants, and so for all intents and purposes its now a Carlton VFl team. Carlton financed, carlton nickname, carlton appointed coaches, most matches at Visy Park.
February 22nd 2012 @ 2:27pm
Steve said | February 22nd 2012 @ 2:27pm | Report comment
I’m struggling to understand how the writer mentioned St.Kilda as one of the best teams in the business. They weren’t that good last year and this year will surely be worse.
February 23rd 2012 @ 12:48pm
Redb said | February 23rd 2012 @ 12:48pm | Report comment
Carlton are cheats. Check the 3rd party deal for Chris Judd they don’t deserve a flag. There I said it
Reckon 4-6th, there is no way they are in front of Pies, Hawks & Cats. Eagles have their measure.
February 23rd 2012 @ 4:35pm
The_Wookie said | February 23rd 2012 @ 4:35pm | Report comment
oh so we’re going to have one of these seasons are we redb :p bring it on. Cant wait until we smash your team of chokers and divers again
February 23rd 2012 @ 4:23pm
Nathan of Perth said | February 23rd 2012 @ 4:23pm | Report comment
“High expectations. Top four contenders. Challengers for the flag.”
You forgot “Downhill Skiers”.
February 23rd 2012 @ 4:29pm
Macca said | February 23rd 2012 @ 4:29pm | Report comment
Didn’t see the Blues play much last year then Nathan?
February 23rd 2012 @ 4:51pm
Nathan of Perth said | February 23rd 2012 @ 4:51pm | Report comment
Course I did, how else would I know about the downhill skiing?
There’s a die-hard Blues supporter at my work, should be an interesting year!
February 23rd 2012 @ 5:02pm
Macca said | February 23rd 2012 @ 5:02pm | Report comment
The blues were fourth for tackles last year, they improved dramatically for points against (again in the top 4 or 5 I think) so you may be a year or 2 late with your tag.