There is an aura of promise surrounding the new Carlton following the horrors of the early 21st century. The stench of John Elliot’s cigarettes has been cleaned out, Dick Pratt’s cash is in the kitty, and the side is full of potential superstars.
But how often is that word – potential – wheeled out in footy?
St Kilda had potential in 2003. Fremantle had potential in 2004. Look at the mess they have created for themselves.
Carlton have potential in 2009.
There are a lot of parallels that can be drawn between these three “potential” eras, particularly between the St Kilda side circa 2003 and the current Carlton outfit, an abundance of high draft picks to begin with.
The St Kilda side currently features no less than four top-two draft selections: Riewoldt, Koschitzke, Goddard and Ball. Carlton now have Kreuzer (Pick #1), Gibbs (#1), Murphy (#1), Walker (#2) and, of course, Chris Judd (#3).
Sure, St Kilda got within a kick of the eventual premier in 2004, Port Adelaide. But they haven’t looked like seriously challenging again since, despite predictions of an era of dominance.
Instead, Sydney, West Coast, Geelong and Hawthorn have hoisted the flag on the biggest stage of them all. And what do these sides have in common? Not one of them bottomed out for draft picks.
On the field, both sides are strikingly similar, also, with skilled, diverse and experienced midfields – St Kilda with Harvey, Ball, Dal Santo and Hayes; Carlton with Judd, Stevens, Gibbs and Murphy – “sexy” forward lines with big marking players like Riewoldt and Fevola.
But in both cases defence has been forgotten by those predicting premiership glory.
St Kilda was reliant on an injury-riddled defence in 2004, where it missed the Grand Final by 6 points, which was still the eighth best defence in the league.
You can’t win Premierships with the eighth best defence in the league. Last season, Carlton were thirteenth for defence.
And I can’t see where the improvement will come from this year.
Essentially, Carlton, for all the superstars it may have over the next few years, is imbalanced. It’s like a work of art without a frame.
It is why Richmond are much better placed than Carlton to seriously challenge.
Sure, Carlton with pre-season form and in its current state, will probably beat Richmond in Thursday night’s blockbuster season opener. But the Tiges have more growth in them and will be better placed in two years time.
Joel Smith
Roar Rookie
So I was right about Carlton and St Kilda.... Richmond on the other hand..... DELETE!
Redb
Guest
I hate to say this but Carlton looked pretty good last night. Richmond on the other hand look bottom 8 material, probably 9th. :-) Redb
Michael C
Guest
I know NAB cup form doesn't mean that much, but, when I went along and saw Carlton demolish North Melb, they looked bigger, stronger, faster, more skilled. And here we are before half time, and they look bigger, stronger, faster, more skilled than Richmond, against us, Carlton looked well drilled, an obvioius sign so often is the drilled and times 'run' or dispersal off a defensive situation, the timed and controlled switches not just to eat up the clock, but iwth purpose. Carlton could well be the 'real thing' this year. (pending the ruck.). and, they've got a handful of debutants to boot, and Mitch Robinson looks very, very good. He's a little beauty, who will benefit from the focus given to Betts, Judd, Murphy, Gibbs etc.
Justin
Guest
Dick should be in jail for a start...
Redb
Guest
Right on the money, are Carlton the news St Kilda crammed with no.1 draft picks but little purpose.? The best sides have the stars but work as a team, look at Geelong and Hawthorn - teamwork wins premierships. Redb