Since the turn of the century, the Carlton Blues have ‘won’ the wooden spoon four times. No other club has done so more than twice. In 2017, I’m tipping Carlton to make it five.
What’s remarkable is that before 2002 the Blues had never finished at the bottom of the ladder in more than a century of VFL/AFL history – and, of course, they won 16 premierships in that time, the equal most of any club in the game.
They’re a great club. More accurately, they used to be. For those like myself who have grown up watching the modern game, they’re a shambolic mess, known for salary cap breaches and their controversial pursuit of priority picks.
At the end of 2015 they won their most recent spoon and made the admirable decision that it was time to cut their losses and start over.
Mick Malthouse, an ill-considered coaching appointment if there ever was one, left the club that year, and was eventually replaced with the latest mini-Clarkson on the market, Brendon Bolton.
At the same time, a favourite son of Carlton, Stephen Silvagni, returned to the club to serve as its list manager, having played a key role in building the talented list that now exists at Greater Western Sydney.
These were decisions that had to be made, and only time will tell whether or not they offer any level of success. I’m not optimistic they will, and in the short term, the outlook is bleak.
In 2016 the Blues had a season that went far better than anyone really expected, thanks largely to a string of six wins from seven games from Round 5 through to Round 11, which even included a win against an eventual top-four side, Geelong.
That was a run of form that had always-optimistic Carlton fans wondering if maybe finals was on the cards, but outside of that seven-week purple patch, the side won only one other game.
They closed out the season with a four-goal loss to Essendon, a team missing a dozen players, a side so depleted they were tipped by many to go through 2016 without a single victory.
If you’re wondering to yourself which of these two sides of the coin was the ‘real’ Carlton, it is the team who lost ten of their last 11 matches that you will see turning up in 2017.
Carlton have five players on their list who could be considered above the AFL average – five. They are Patrick Cripps, Sam Docherty, Kade Simpson, Bryce Gibbs and Marc Murphy.
The other 41 players on the list are average or below. They fall into two categories largely – developing youth, and those who are at their best only serviceable AFL players or worse.
None of the youth seem ready to take that next step up in 2017. The Blues fielded a side missing the majority of their stars in the pre-season comp on the weekend, and there was little to suggest that they have players ready to make an impact at AFL level this year.
It is, after all, only two years ago that they were making decisions like trading away a draft pick so they could bring in Liam Jones on a three-year contract. This is a new policy, there’s very little talented youth on the list, and what is there is still raw.
On top of that, there are question marks over some of that top five. Cripps and Docherty should have strong seasons again, and Simpson too though he is 32, but almost-30 Murphy is badly in need of some revitalisation.
Bryce Gibbs is the biggest concern, after last year seeking a trade and being held to his contract. Much has been said about his professionalism during the pre-season, but we’ll see how well that holds up when competition starts.
Will Carlton’s future be any brighter than its present? So long as the club chooses holding 27-year-olds against their will over acquiring more first-round picks, and continues to fill out its list with Reject Shop stocking-stuffers, I remain unconvinced.
That’s something we’ll find out in time though, and maybe I’ll be proven wrong. It has happened before, and it will happen again. Live in hope, Blues fans.
For now though, their list situation is simply diabolical, and while I like Brendon Bolton – how could anyone not, with that cheery face – his honeymoon period has come and gone.
The four clubs who finished below Carlton in 2016 are all likely to improve – Essendon and Fremantle through the return of key players, Brisbane with the new-coach bounce, and Gold Coast having added both mature and young talent over the off-season.
That being the case, I can’t find any good reason not to make this my tip for 2017. These Blues are bottom-place bound.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Well crap. But we did beat Carlton in Brisbane at least
Larry Parkins
Guest
How did this finish up?
Matt
Guest
This review needs an update, Carlton may still be on track for the wooden spoon in 2017 but have beaten ladder leaders GWS in a great game!
Bored
Guest
Carlton is back in town!
Macca
Guest
Travis - You have no clue not because you think like other journalist and myself that we will finish bottom 4 or worse but because you think finishing last means a "wasted year". Also you have no clue because "who went to that game wanting a good contest" when any one paying the slightest attention to the line ups could have seen a blow out on the cards.
Paul D
Roar Guru
I actually have a fair bit of sympathy for this view because it used to drive me spare watching my boys play softly softly careful football these last few years and we were still getting flogged by 60 odd. I can only assume coaches and players would prefer that though to taking it on and potentially losing by 150.
Travis
Roar Pro
Also I am fed up with the talk about me having no clue. Are you going to say the journo's have no clue either. Mark Robinson has predicted us to finish 17th while David King has predicted another wooden spoon. The author of this article has also said we will finish last. Are we just going to be happy to finish last and have another wasted year as long as the "talent" is coming through? I thought the AFL was a competitive competition, we might as well say Carlton are tanking...
Travis
Roar Pro
Macca- You blame me for being honest? I am only telling you what I saw in that game. Sure St Kilda are a team on the rise but you expect me to walk out of the ground smiling "oh what a great day we lost by 90 odd points, everything is perfect inside our footy club". No I pay my $20 as does everyone who went to that game wanting a good contest. Even St Kilda fans were surprised that Carlton were so poor. I want to give some praise for than anything from this team, I am just waiting to see it. Friday night we were better but against a bottom team of 2016 with our full list in, I still think we are under performing due to attitude within the club. Pickett kicked 3 goals, there is a positive, he is one of the best recruits we have got in years, goal kickers are something we have lacked in recent years, so he is a good start. I think throwing Wietering down forward would be another good move too, but the thing that disappoints me the most is the way we played the game against St Kilda, all this kicking backwards and sideways, it was like we were allergic to kicking goals, no wonder we were stuck on such a low score. We should be trying to take the game on more. Anyway round 1 will be a good indication, I have predicted Richmond to finish bottom 4 this year so a hard fought win would definitely change my tone. Lets hope to see a spirited round 1 effort!!
Macca
Guest
Travis - my nephew is very good mates with Tom Williamson and I caught up with my nephew over the weekend. He told me that after the St Kilda game Bolton rang Williamson (and I assume all the other young players) on the way home and basically told them that they will hear a lot of opinions like yours but to completely ignore them because they have no idea of what is actually going on inside the club and no understanding of the process being undertaken.
yawn
Guest
OMG Travis , you remind me so much of that bright spark mattyb......that guy has no clue either.
Travis
Roar Pro
By the way this is a really well worded article which shows accurately to any Carlton fan what this club has to become. Even though we may have gotten better, the other clubs are likely to improve too. Brisbane have vowed to play with more spirit and after beating the Bulldogs a few weeks ago, they might just avoid the spoon. We may just be fighting it out with Collingwood who are very overrated.
Travis
Roar Pro
The attitude within this former great club is disgusting. Listening to Brendan Bolton speak last week saying "we don't want to be judged on wins or losses" and saying "we are rebuilding" doesn't help the confidence within the playing group. Yeah Carlton doesn't have a lot of talent but we can at leased tackle and play for the jumper, give the Carlton fans something to get excited about. I felt embarrassed to watch Carlton play last week personally and from what I heard last night we were better with our full strength team and still lost to a team who was hardly trying and finished low on the ladder last year. I think Carlton will finish last this year, not because of talent necessarily, but the system within the club. Starting from the President which goes to the CEO, coach, assistants and end's up with the players. Saying you are happy to lose probably means you will lose. It apply's with any sport. Currently Carlton is a laughing stock to other clubs and are nothing like it's former self. Things are likely to continue unless I see otherwise represented in effort and trying to win.
Don Freo
Guest
Nah. No need to. He'll get what he wants when he turns his mind to that, when the time calls for it. There is no need for him to worry about mortal things. He'll be concentrating solely on two things...his captaincy of this great club and his own fitness after his injury (both celestial elements).
Darren L
Roar Rookie
Nice try Paul we thought the same at Carlton but he is clearly not above avg. None of the players Josh mentioned are above avg.
Macca
Guest
The blues just named their squad for the Freo game Friday night - the first and second year players to be named are J Silvagni, McKay, MacReadie, Polson and Cuningham (with C Curnow out with a minor injury) while of the older recruits Pickett, Marchbank, Smedts, Palmer & A Silvagni got the nod. SPS is supposed to play in the VFL practice match this weekend. Looks like plenty of spots are up for grabs in round 1 and we could see plenty of new faces - you would have to thik after being played in all 3 JLT McKay is likely to debut round 1.
steve
Guest
What, you think his people, agents. managers havent let it be known what will be an acceptable salary to acquire his services or for Freo to retain him? Bit naïve if you think a figure isn't out there for clubs to mull over his value.
mattyb
Guest
Adelaide Dockers,can't see the point of mentioning other posters,you either approve or disapprove of gatekeeper type behaviour. The other stuff is irrelevant.
Wild Willy
Guest
C'arn the mighty Blues! Keep up the passion Macca! You're a fantastic contributor to the the roar... and as a fellow blue boy, I enjoy your insights. The AFL would be a duller place without us... our time back at the top will come soon enough!
Macca
Guest
Don Freo - See the word "most" - White can play on him "most" of the day and the others still all play on him the rest. And in my "logical, rational, sane" way I also pointed out that when you get smashed -14 at the clearances and the time in forward half is 63%-37% against a forward kicking a bag isn't down to the defender.
Macca
Guest
Thanks Josh - I think we will need it for 2017 - but its from then on that is where things get interesting.