At the beginning of 2014, most were expecting the Blues to build on their semi-final loss to Sydney in 2013.
They made it into the finals in eighth place due to Essendon’s ASADA doping sanctions. However Mick Malthouse’s second year as Carlton coach proved to be much more difficult than his first and it remains to be seen how long the Blues will persevere with the grand final-winning former Collingwood mentor.
To an outsider, it seemed obvious that Malthouse was introduced to the club as a saviour, an attempt at a last ditch premiership before the retirement of their ageing stars. Unfortunately this did not eventuate and the Blues are now in the hangover.
The side are still left with mature and reliable players Marc Murphy, Andrew Carrazzo, Bryce Gibbs, Kade Simpson and Chris Judd, who are more than capable of guiding their team northward.
Carlton appear to have enough talent on their list to compete for a finals position. They have a solid defensive foundation, laid by Michael Jamison and Sam Rowe, and the potential of Chris Yarren and Levi Casboult.
If Lachy Henderson was able to play as a permanent forward, Carlton would appear to be sound across the board, having enough talent hold their own.
Unfortunately the hangover of Carlton’s last ditch flag attempt mean that this soundness is not enough to make it. Carlton’s second and third tier players are just not good enough, and what’s more, a lot of them are ageing.
In 2014 Dennis Armfield, Robbie Warnock and Dale Thomas were not at the level required for Carlton and are all on the wrong side of 27.
This year Carlton are left with two options, 1) to try to keep on adding experience for a quick accent, or 2) to re-build completely to try and create their next premiership team from the bottom.
Where the Blues finish in 2015 greatly depends on this. Already, Carlton have suggested that they will choose the latter, with the addition of Kristian Jaksch (GWS), Mark Whiley (GWS) and Liam Jones (Western Bulldogs) in the last trade period to try and kick start the re-build.
Assuming that Carlton continues down this path, one can see no better guidance than that offered by Mick Malthouse. Although this should ensure the long-term future of the club, 2015 unfortunately looks as if it will be a long one.
Carlton fans will need to have faith that their club has success around the corner and that they are on the road to a new era.
Prediction: fifteenth
matt
Guest
Out on a limb it sounds like, but top 4 and do some damage in the finals Geelong will struggle this year
JMW
Guest
They should have ditched Fev and that bludger Waite years ago. Traded them when they had currency. Fancy losing a talented key forward in Kennedy for a midfielder....he delivers for West Coast most weeks. Like Kernahan, I cringe every time I see Kennedy play.
Don Freo
Guest
Like a cat about to pounce, Carlton will need to crouch a bit before it can jump. Bottom 2.
JMW
Guest
All sides are in the mix at this time of the year. All sides experience injuries during the season proper. Those sides that prosper have greater depth and aren't reliant on luck with injuries. The general consensus would appear to be that the Blues will struggle to cover injuries to key players, both now and in the foreseeable future. If somebody had told me in 1995 that we would not win a premiership in the next 20 years and we would deliver not one, but three wooden spoons, I'd have made an informers call to the drug squad! The Blues have a long way to go. I'll be very happy if I'm wrong about that.
Macca
Guest
I'd throw Essendon, And Melbourne as worse than the blues for sure and Collingwood would be arguably worse as well given Reids injury issues.
Paul D
Roar Guru
I think ours of Close, Freeman and...um...Staker (?)...would comfortably shade Carlton in the worst tall combo stakes. Unfortunately.
jax
Guest
I admire your optimism Macca but they need another year or two before they challenge for the eight. It would take a monumental effort this year and Mick does have a knack of getting the best out of his players so never say never. Good luck.
Macca
Guest
Have ou looked at the blues list right before they to those number 1 draft picks?
Macca
Guest
Worst? How's St kildas, the bulldogs and brisbanes looking for starters? Also Jones will be a lot better as the third tall rather than the main target and all 3 are 25 or less, the will all be better in 2015 than 2014, especially Henderon who had hip surgery last preseason
Macca
Guest
He was the ruck/forward not the full forward and last year was just a step forward, hopefully he will take another this year
Macca
Guest
If you aren't optimistic at this time of year when would you be? That said, claiming they are far from certain finalists but in the mix is hardly going overboard in the optimism stakes.
Josh
Expert
Henderson, Casboult, Jones - that's got to be the worst three-tall combination in the league by a very wide margin.
Josh
Expert
Well, I admire your optimism.
Josh
Expert
The odd thing is people celebrate his 'good form' last year but he kicked 15 goals in 19 games. Not exactly Coleman medal material.
Josh
Expert
A club with three no. 1 draft picks on their list all in the prime of their careers shouldn't be beginning another rebuild - but that's what they're doing. Missed the boat for a flag chance, due largely to losing/cutting out Fev at a very inopportune time, and now I think it's going to be a while before we think of the Navy Blues as premiership contenders again. Very optimistic to look at them as a finals chance this year in my opinion, but that's the great thing about footy, anything can happen.
Macca
Guest
Betts wasn't there last year, Garlett hardly played and Waite was ordinary or hadly played until the last 6 games. The goals will come from Henderson, Casboult, Menzel and Jones plus some cameos from the likes of Walker and Everitt
Paul D
Roar Guru
He was one of the best things to happen for Carlton last season. Has fantastic hands, took what should have been the mark of the year, an outstanding pack mark. If he continues that run of form he could be what Carlton have been craving for years, a genuinely dangerous tall forward.
Macca
Guest
In The dead rubber against the bombers they were missing about 7 of their first choice side, including Murphy and Henderson, and still should have won, the bombers were full strength and were playing not have to travel the first week from memory. The point still stands when they play their best football they are competitive with the best, they just have to play it more consistently.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Bottom 6 for my mind. Malthouse is an old crank and I fail to see how this team is going to challenge for the 8.
David
Guest
It's made my day reading maccas posts. According to mick the permership window was at 11 and heading to 12 o'clock. Now that was wishful thinking. Not sure where the goals are coming from on Waite or betts or Gartlett. Bottom six locked in