In 2015 favourite son Stephen Silvagni returned to Carlton Football Club in the role of List Manager with the task of rebuilding what most pundits felt was one of the weakest playing lists in the AFL.
The word rebuild was previously not in the Carlton vernacular so this was to be a new experience for Carlton supporters. In August 2015 the club appointed Brendon Bolton as the coach to oversee the development of the rebuilding list.
A time-frame of four to five years was given as a period that supporters should expect to not only see Carlton return to finals action but also enjoy a sustained period of success. In the two years that Silvagni has been back at the Blues, 27 new players have been added to the playing list through the National Draft, Rookie Draft and traded players from other clubs.
My belief is that 2019 will be the season that we start to see the Blues rise up the ladder to be either in the top eight or knocking on the door. So looking at the current list I have selected a side that we might see in Round 1 of the 2019 season.
I have indicated the age of the player and what their possible game total could be at that time. For the players yet to debut I have allocated a possible 25 games by 2019.
Plowman 24 (83) Marchbank 22 (51) Macreadie 20 (44)
Byrne 24 (40) Weitering 21 (64) Docherty 25 (114)
Fisher 20 (45) Cripps 24 (88) Williamson 20 (42)
Petrevski-Seton 21 (44) McKay 21 (25) Silvagni 21 (52)
Pickett 22 (44) Kerr 20 (25) LeBois 20 (25)
Kreuzer 29 (184) Murphy 31 (258) Gibbs 30 (252)
C. Curnow 22 (49) Phillips 27 (71) Polson 21 (25) E. Curnow 29 (153)
Given that there will be two more years of National Draft selections where we would likely have two top ten picks and also further additions through the trade period there are possible unknown inclusions.
I have included Bryce Gibbs but there is always the possibility of him being traded back to Adelaide at the end of this season. We could expect to get a first round selection for him.
The average age of this team is 23.4 years with a likely average game experience around 81. So what do you think fellow Blue Baggers, would you be happy to see that team run out against the Tigers in Round 1 2019 or do you have alternative suggestions?
mark
Guest
John laughing at you.
mark
Guest
Not one 1st round pick ? Try 2 ya dorkman.
Macca
Guest
I can see the logic of Kerridge but to me it is going the safe option - won't hurt us but minimal upside - Cuningham on the other hand has significant upside- I'd take the risk.
Darren
Guest
I just think it will be the Kedge for a mature body around the ball.
Macca
Guest
I'd go Cuningham for Cripps - more speed and better user.
Macca
Guest
Darren L - He kicked 2 against Port Melbourne in round 1, he kicked 3 in the Northern Blues last practice match against the Hawks, kicked 4 the week before that and from memory got a couple in the first VFL practice game - that's 14 goals in 5 games so far this year, he is only 22 and appears bigger and stronger this year - at the very least he is worth giving another shot - what have we got to lose?
Darren L
Roar Rookie
Me too Original Buzz. I was already expecting a smashing from my Port mates, could get ugly if Cripps and Kreuzer are out. I'd say Kerridge in for Cripps - purely for physical presence around the ball. Phillips for Kreuzer - but this seems a bit rushed. Polson for SPS. We could lose by a fair bit.
Darren L
Roar Rookie
Macca that was against a bunch of kids. He has looked a long way off AFL level whenever he has played. I'd say his card is close to marked.
Macca
Guest
Is your bloke barrass70?
Macca
Guest
I am pretty confident Polson will play - hopefully the other 3 all get up but I could see them resting SPS for a week. Wouldn't be surprised if MacReadie goes out to after his cork last week.
The Original Buzz
Guest
I have tickets to the game this week, I doubt if they will beat Port at Adelaide Oval but looking forward to a good effort from the boys. It will be a major blow having Kreuzer and Cripps out. Even SPS has been a good contributor this year.
steve
Guest
Macca, I'm hearing Polson will play, Kruezer, Cripps and SPS all in doubt this week.
steve
Guest
Macca, I'm hearing from my guy Polson will play this week. Kruezer, Cripps and SPS all in doubt.
Macca
Guest
Why do one of them have to go? If you look at the team of the future Col has listed we will already be very young in 2019. Why would you move Kreuzer on? We aren't going to get a whole heap for Kreuzer (I can't think of a side desperate for a ruckman - maybe the bulldogs but I doubt they would want Kreuzer) and he is actually played really good football in the first 3 weeks. The age gap between the 2 is 4 years but why take the punt that Longer might get to be as good as Kreuzer just to go back 4 years - you would be better off rookie drafting a couple of young ruckmen and see if they could push Kreuzer out over time.
The Original Buzz
Guest
With 27 players added in the last 2 years, Gibbs is needed for his leadership within the club. Admittedly there are a couple of experienced players in that lot.
steve
Guest
Cos id move Kruezer on. One of kruezer or Gibbs need to go.
Macca
Guest
Steve - it is true that if his name wasn't Silvagni we wouldn't be talking about him but given "He already is 195cm — his father is 194cm — and has an exceptional tank" (which was written in June 2016) and his name is Silvagni we can dream a little.
Macca
Guest
Longer might be happy to be our number 1 ruck but why would we bother taking a punt on him?
steve
Guest
Sorry but I'm not getting why we Carlton supporters are talking up Ben Silvagni. The kid is in year 11 at high school. Wont even play TAC level until next year. If his name wasn't Silvagni, no Carlton supporter would even know who he is, let alone be talking him up as some super high draft pick.
steve
Guest
TBF, both Longer and Smith are stuck in the two's of their respective clubs, as are quite a few good ruckmen from other clubs. I would suggest its entirely possible Longer would be pretty happy being our number 1 ruckman rather than be stuck in the Saints two's behind Hickey.