To start this article I thought I’d type the word luck in a search engine, just to see what examples came up.
Some examples I found were: Finding a valuable object or money. Winning an event despite negative logical assumptions. Correctly guessing an answer in a quiz, which you did not know.
Then there was Carlton finishing eighth as a result of Essendon’s exclusion from the finals race after the drug scandal in 2013.
No, you’re right that wasn’t there, I’m lying.
After the cookie crumbled the Blues way in 2013 they’ll be looking to secure their place in the finals without any handouts.
Mick Malthouse has had a busy offseason. He axed eight players, got his is golden boy Dale Thomas and lost their hottest piece of merchandise in the process -Megan Gale – by getting rid of her golden boy Shaun Hampson.
If he were playing poker this would mean one thing: All in.
In the midfield there are no shortage of big names, the addition of Dale Thomas will bring a freshness to a midfield that got stuck in neutral too often throughout 2013. Their leading disposal winner was a defender, Andrew Walker.
Marc Murphy battled with a tag (his average disposal dropped from 26 to 22), Chris Judd, though a champion, is plagued by injuries in the latter part of his career (also down from 25-22) and it seems unfair to call Bryce Gibbs a traditional midfielder, as he is so versatile.
When the leaders fell flat it was hard to find the midfield depth at times for the Blues. They were third last in the league in disposals. This is where, if body permits, Thomas will help.
Is there enough depth in the midfield? Andrew Carrazzo is a great tagger, Brock McLean battles (slowly) inside and Tom Bell is still learning.
However none of these guys can go into the middle and carry the team when Murphy is being tagged out of the game or Judd is sidelined.
Up forward new structures will be trialled.
Troy Menzel is dangerous and will make Blues fans forget Eddie Betts as quick as their hatred for Dale ‘Daisy’ Thomas in black and white.
Will Jarred Waite still play with three smalls at his feet or do the Blues go with the more traditional forward line featuring two talls?
If they go with multiple talls is Matt Kruezer set to spend more time forward? The recruitment of Cameron Wood makes this a very viable option. Kruezer is a barometer for the Blues, if he plays well, Carlton play well.
Sam Rowe and Levi Casboult are young and proving very valuable assets as they mature.
Sydney recruit Andrejs Everitt has spent the majority of his career as a hackman, which history shows with Malthouse means he could be spending more time forward. His versatility could prove as valuable as Bryce Gibbs.
Speaking of Gibbs, get ready to hear the word contract within three words of hearing Gibbs’ surname, until he puts pen to paper and beds the issue.
Jeff Garlett and Chris Yarran are mercurial in front of goal (even though Yarran plays across halfback) and will add to an even spread of goal kickers but can go missing if there’s no supply.
Of the challenges Malthouse faced in his first season as coach of the Blues, defence was high on the list. The Blues could not settle on a structure as Malthouse criss-crossed defenders regularly.
Stability is what the Blues will need down back; Lachie Henderson is a star but has yet to prove that Mick Malthouse has developed a cloning machine because if he could, Henderson would be the first unveiled.
Andrew Walker is creative from the back (he led the league in rebounds from 50) and Kade Simpson found himself rejuvenated in the defensive half. But can Michael Jamison’s tender shoulders hold up for a full season? Matthew Watson and Josh Bootsma were given a chance, but at times looked young.
Nick Duigan’s injury and subsequent placement on the long-term injury list doesn’t bode well.
Expectations are that the Blues will make the finals. If Malthouse can adapt his boundary riding game plan to 2014 standards, then I could very well be eating humble pie but I wonder whether the saddest part for Carlton fans will be another season of mediocrity or Megan Gale departing the stands.
Lad-view: 11th
Individual Predictions
Best and Fairest: Matthew Kruezer
Goal Kicking Award: Troy Menzel
In The Hot Seat For 2014: Kruezer, Gibbs (until contract talk is settled)
Player You Need to Watch: Patrick Cripps
Things Most Looking Forward to Seeing in 2014: Daisy versus Collingwood
Novelty Blog Award: Naming Megan Gale hotter than Rebecca Judd.
Who’s in your ultimate team? Pick the best team and compete with other fans for daily prizes on Draftstars. For the best odds on the game try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place? Set a deposit limit.
"That's the worst plan I have ever heard in my life!"
How could you, Hughesy!
A few weeks ago, I dubbed Carlton and Geelong as the premiership frontrunners - at a time when they sat, respectively, fourth and first…
An innocuous incident - but any trouble for the Chad?
Safe to say Hodgey was fighting a lone battle with this take!
Surely this had to be recalled!
