AFL team preview: Carlton Blues

We continue our AFL preview with a look at the Carlton Blues.

Team: Carlton Blues

Homeground: Etihad Stadium (53,000): MCG (100,000)

Coach: Brett Ratten

Season 2010: Eighth (P-22 W-11 L-11 44pts 108.07%)

2011 squad: Dennis Armfield, Mark Austin, Eddie Betts, Paul Bower, Andrew Carrazzo, Andrew Collins, Marcus Davies, Nicholas Duigan, David Ellard, Jeff Garlett, Bryce Gibbs, Shaun Hampson, Lachie Henderson, Ryan Houlihan, Michael Jamison, Aaron Joseph, Chris Judd, Rohan Kerr, Matthew Kreuzer, Jeremy Laidler, Kane Lucas, Patrick McCarthy, Andrew McInnes, Brock McLean, Luke Mitchell, Marc Murphy, Setanta O’hAilpin, Mitch Robinson, Jordan Russell, Heath Scotland, Kade Simpson, Bret Thornton, Jarrad Waite, Andrew Walker, Robert Warnock, Matthew Watson, Simon White, Chris Yarran. Rookie list: Blake Bray, Jaryd Cachia, Mitchell Carter, Levi Casboult, Ed Curnow, Joe Dare, Rhys O’Keefe, Zach Tuohy, Wayde Twomey.

Arrivals: Andrew Collins (traded from Richmond), Nicholas Duigan (2010 AFL Draft), David Ellard (rookie elevation), Jeff Garlett (rookie elevation), Jeremy Laidler (traded from Geelong), Pat McCarthy (2010 AFL Draft), Andrew McInnes (2010 AFL Draft), Luke Mitchell (2010 AFL Draft), Matthew Watson (2010 AFL Draft), Simon White (rookie elevation).

Departures: Joe Anderson (delisted), Steven Browne (delisted), Brad Fisher (delisted), Shaun Grigg (delisted), Richard Hadley (retired), Sam Jacobs (traded to Adelaide), Chris Johnson (delisted), Rhys O’Keefe (delisted), Caleb Tiller (delisted), Simon Wiggins (retired).

Season preview: Carlton, the team that ‘never lets you down’ made it to the last two finals series but failed to make an impact once they got there. Last year the Blues went down to Sydney by 5 points in a thriller elimination final at ANZ Stadium.

There’s still no big Fev-like forward but since he left, their forward line has been developing. Jarrad Waite is one of the best key forwards in the league when he’s on and he has support with Lachie Henderson and small forwards Eddie Betts, Jeff Garlett and Chris Yarran. Matthew Kreuzer was out for the second part of the season with a knee injury but the 2007 number one draft pick is back and looks set to take up a role in the forwardline. Former Tiger, Andrew Collins will also give the Carlton another target up forward.

The club has been talking up the skills of ruckman Robert Warnock, who managed just 12 games last year. If Warnock and Kreuzer can get decent, full seasons under their belts it will go a long way to helping the Blues climb further up the ladder.

Carlton’s midfield has so much potential and yet Chris Judd seems to be carrying a lot of the work-load. Players like Lucas and McLean (who’ve both had poor runs with injury) and Carrazzo will need to stand up this year to ease the pressure. While Murphy, Gibbs and Simpson were all solid in 2010 but need take more Brownlow votes off Judd if Carlton is to climb any higher this year.

In defence Jordan Russell and Michael Jamison have been consistent. Dennis Armfield has become an important part in the backline and Simon White has been promoted off the rookie list. Mark Austin needs to get his body right to secure his spot in the side.

First round pick from the 2010 draft, Matthew Watson has a big body and good hands. The Blues will want him to develop into a key defender but this will take time and they need one now.

Carlton has come a long way since Brett Ratten took over from Denis Pagan mid 2007. Ratten will be focus on establishing a strong backline and winning contested possession. The Blues have a star midfield, options up forward and if the defenders can stand up Carlton will be knocking on the door of a top four spot.

Main man: Chris Judd won his second Brownlow medal last season after another stellar year. Norm-Smith medallist, premiership captain, All-Australian, Carlton’s best and fairest for the last three years and one hell of a model Australian. This champion midfielder is arguably the best in the game. The 28-year-old leader is deadly accurate, wins the hard-ball and uses the ball well.

X-factor: It’s hard not to get excited when Chris Yarran gets near the footy. Yarran has a natural goal sense and knack for kicking sensational goals. He showed moments of brilliance last year and will play a bigger part in Carlton’s forwardline this year.

Predicted 2011 finish: Sixth