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While Carlton scored a fantastic win last week against the Jekyll and Hyde Kangaroos, 2014 will go down as a season where reality struck the Blues.
As a Collingwood fan I’ve enjoyed the struggles of the old enemy, but every hero needs a villain, and a strong, healthy Carlton makes for a better AFL competition.
Despite being a top-four team for a couple of years, the majority of the last 15 years have seen struggles both on and off the field.
Some believe the Baggers are years from success, but the transition period could be a lot shorter should they make the right calls at season’s end. With Andrew Walker sent for season-ending surgery, it is time to examine where Carlton go in 2015.
Running the ruler over the 2014 list, who stays and goes is crystal clear, with only a few players sitting in the grey zone.
Firstly, Mick Malthouse needs to assess all players under the age of 21. Midfield stars and Lachlan Henderson will continue to be supported by the likes of Robbie Warnock, Levi Casboult, and Andrejs Everitt, with Mitch Robinson, Zach Tuohy and Brock McLean again providing the grunt.
The likes of Simon White, Tom Bell, Sam Rowe, Michael Jamison, Cameron Wood and Andrew McIness (just) are the remaining youngsters who stay in 2015.
Out the door go Nick Duigan, Josh Bootsma and Heath Scotland, joined by rookie Jaryd Cachia, David Ellard and former captain Chris Judd.
Cachia and Ellard are honest players but Carlton simply has too many one paced midfielders, while Judd will make his own decision but he has always done things ‘on his terms’ and it would seem unlikely his battered body stands up to another pre-season.
Without even blinking six players are cleared and suddenly Carlton has real scope to add much-needed talent to their list.
As for those who fail to fall into either camp, while I’m sure many Blues fans have already made up their minds on these individuals I’ve tried to examine each player to determine the best outcome for individual and club.
Beginning with the positive, Andrew Carrazzo, Dennis Armfield, Ed Curnow and Jeff Gartlett should be in navy blue come 2015. Carrazzo is a stalwart and only two years ago was a potential captain who provides leadership for a team often bereft of it. Armfield and Gartlett provide dash and dare, so important in the modern game to break the lines. Curnow just beats Ellard and Cachia for the remaining run with midfield role.
The remaining five players who should be moved on at season’s end are Matthew Kreuzer, Kane Lucas, Matthew Watson, Chris Yarran and Jarrad Waite. For a variety of reasons the first four names have not met their potential, while Waite has been a long servant whose star has waned, along with his appeal to fans and coaches alike. These five must be on the trade table.
Watson, asked to play key position when he should be taking the third tall forward has seen his confidence erode but as a high draft pick surely has upside. The rebirth of players like Jeremy Laidler, Zac Dawson and Matthew Spangher immediately spring to mind.
Lucas, a sandgroper with outside dash may appeal to the two Western Australia clubs willing to part with a late selection for a quick ball mover.
Waite appears on borrowed time and at 31 will either be moved on or put out to pasture, with the Bulldogs or Dockers a perfect fit in need of another tall, while allowing Henderson and Casboult to continue to develop unhindered.
Debate will centre on finding new homes for Kreuzer and Yarran. Kreuzer was a number one selection and touted as the future, while Yarran has at times looked like setting the AFL alight with his pace and skill.
Injuries for a ruckman can be a career killer and while I love watching Kreuzer at his best these games have become few and far between, though at 25 he still has currency. Yarran will probably be close to the All-Australian top 40 but while he has all the tricks, his ill-discipline, fitness concerns and questionable desire continue to cause problems. Perhaps parting ways could be good for both parties. Seeing him laughing with Buddy Franklin as he broke Carlton hearts recently surely did nothing for supporters fed up with Yarran’s style over substance.
They are worth two first round picks or at least one first and one early second round selection. Keeping in mind Carlton received pick 28 for Shaun Hampson and Collingwood managed to snaffle two first-round selections for Sharrod Wellingham and Chris Dawes, this isn’t out of the question in a lean year for free agency.
Imagine if Carlton was bold enough to use Yarran in order to obtain one of the Greater Western Sydney’s big three forwards, which could set the team up structurally for the next 10 years.
If these trades materialised the Blues could find themselves with four picks inside the top 30. Free agency is also critical to any fast turnaround, and while Carlton were burnt with the Dale Thomas signing, this should not deter them with clubs like Sydney and Port good examples of how to use the new system to flourish.
The quick regeneration of Port is the blueprint for the Blues that will let Malthouse deliver on his promise to again make Carlton a force.
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