With 24 wins from their last 88 matches, the general feeling amongst the supporters of the famous Carlton Football Club was one of impatience.
Knowing the club is currently embarking on a full-blown rebuild since Mick Malthouse’s failed attempt to take the Blues to their first premiership since 1995, supporters still entered the 2018 campaign, the third under Alastair Clarkson understudy Brendon Bolton, with a sense of optimism and hope that the wins column would grow instead of shrink, as it has done progressively under Bolton.
Instead, Carlton suffered the worst season in their long, rich history, winning just two matches from 22 games and claiming another unwanted wooden spoon, their fifth since 2002.
Midfielder star Patrick Cripps enjoyed a busy night at Carlton’s best and fairest, claiming his second John Nicholls Medal after an outstanding campaign, while he was also unveiled as one of Carlton’s new captains, with Cripps and Sam Docherty announced as co-skippers, replacing Marc Murphy after six years in the role.
The accelerated turnover of the Carlton list continued in earnest once the Blues’ campaign ended, with a raft of players delisted.
These included Aaron Mullett, Matt Shaw, Cam O’Shea, Nick Graham, Sam Kerridge, Sam Rowe, Jed Lamb and Jesse Glass-McCasker. Leadership group member Alex Silvagni announced his retirement at the conclusion of the season, as did crafty forward Matthew Wright after being offered a coaching position at his former club the Adelaide Crows.
Irish duo Ciaran Byrne and Cillian McDaid also decided to give the game away and return home.
With Carlton and Gold Coast’s struggles down at the bottom of the ladder over the past few seasons, the AFL stepped in and allowed both clubs the ability to pre-select a predetermined number of mature-age stars from the state leagues around Australia, with these players also able to be used during the trade period.
Carlton were granted two selections, taking Nathan Kreuger and Shane McAdam, both from the SANFL. Kreuger was sent to Geelong in exchange for pick 43, while McAdam was used in a complex trade with the Crows that saw Mitch McGovern head to Princes Park.
The Blues added yet another ex-GWS Giant to their list, acquiring highly talented youngster Will Setterfield along with pick 71, sending pick 43 and a future second round selection back.
In one of the last swaps of the trade period, Carlton secured out-of-favour Sydney defender Nic Newman in exchange for a future fourth round pick. Collingwood small forward Alex Fasolo also joined the club as a free agent.
With another last-place finish comes another crack at landing the best young talent in the land, something the Blues had three attempts at in the mid 2000s, and again a few years ago. After taking talls Jacob Weitering and Matthew Kreuzer with their last two number one draft selections, Carlton addressed their desperate need of bolstering the midfield, calling out Geelong Falcons gun Sam Walsh at the national draft.
In a historic draft night, where live trading was allowed for the first time, the Blues made a shock swap with the Crows, swapping their future first round pick with Adelaide’s in exchange for the Crows’ selection 19, which they used to draft Liam Stocker.
With two more picks late in the draft, Carlton selected young forward Finbar O’Dwyer from the Murray Bushrangers, before grabbing Ben Silvagni as a father-son recruit.
With their two selections in the rookie draft, the Blues handed out lifelines to delisted St Kilda tall Hugh Goddard and axed Demon Tom Bugg. Matthew Owies also joined the club as a category B rookie, having code-hopped from college basketball in the States.
Playing list
New players in bold
1. Jack Silvagni
2. Paddy Dow
3. Marc Murphy
4. Lochie O’Brien
5. Sam Petrevski-Seton
6. Kade Simpson
7. Matthew Kennedy
8. Matthew Kreuzer
9. Patrick Cripps (C)
10. Harry McKay
11. Mitch McGovern
12. Tom De Koning
13. Liam Stocker
14. Liam Jones
15. Sam Docherty (C)
16. Darcy Lang
17. vacant
18. Sam Walsh
19. Angus Schumacher
20. Lachie Plowman
21. Jarrod Garlett
22. Caleb Marchbank
23. Jacob Weitering
24. Nic Newman
25. Zac Fisher
26. Harrison Macreadie
27. Matthew Lobbe
28. David Cuningham
29. Cameron Polson
30. Charlie Curnow
31. Tom Williamson
32. Alex Fasolo
33. Jarrod Pickett
34. Andrew Phillips
35. Ed Curnow
36. Pat Kerr
37. Ben Silvagni
38. Finbar O’Dwyer
39. Dale Thomas
40. Tom Bugg
41. Levi Casboult
42. Kym LeBois (R)
43. Will Setterfield
44. Matthew Owies (R)
45. Hugh Goddard (R)
Number 1 pick Sam Walsh (centre) is seen during the 2018 AFL Draft. (AAP Image/James Ross)
Best 22
FB: Nic Newman, Jacob Weitering, Lachie Plowman
HB: Sam Docherty, Caleb Marchbank, Kade Simpson
C: Marc Murphy, Patrick Cripps, Sam Walsh
HF: Sam Petrevski-Seton, Charlie Curnow, Zac Fisher
FF: Alex Fasolo, Harry McKay, Mitch McGovern
R: Matthew Kreuzer, Paddy Dow, Matthew Kennedy
I/C: Ed Curnow, Lochie O’Brien, Will Setterfield, Tom Bugg
EMG: Liam Stocker, Matthew Lobbe, Tom Williamson, David Cuningham
The star
Midfield bull Patrick Cripps did not let Carlton’s horrific on-field form affect his own, with the star Blue taking his game to another level after a broken leg saw his 2017 campaign end at Round 16.
Stamping himself as one of the game’s premier midfielders, Cripps averaged a career-high 29.6 possessions, with 17.6 of them contested, which ranked him first in the AFL.
He also won the second-most clearances of anyone in the league with 170 and managed to average 6.3 tackles per match.
Importantly, Cripps played every match in a season for the first time in his young career, although questions marks will continue to be raised on whether his body will be able to cope with the constant stress and strain it is put under week in, week out.
Standing at 195cm, Brendon Bolton would do well to send Cripps into the forward line on occasions during games in 2019, allowing his body to rest and giving the Blues another avenue to goal.
Needs a big year
There’s no denying the talent and ability of number one draft pick Jacob Weitering, who enjoyed an excellent two seasons to start his career.
His third campaign at AFL level would be his most challenging, suffering a form dip that saw him on the edge of being sent back to the VFL before a thigh injury sidelined him.
The 21-year-old made his return after a stint in the reserves, and managed to get close to his best form late in the season.
Heading into his fourth season and with 56 games under his belt, Weitering heads a young backline alongside Caleb Marchbank and Lachie Plowman and how he bounces back from a challenging year will say a lot about Carlton in 2019.
Ready to breakout
A rare highlight in the annus horribilis that was the Carlton 2018 season was the impact young midfielder Paddy Dow had in his debut year.
Arriving at the Blues via pick 3 in last year’s national draft, Dow quickly went to work at wowing all onlookers with an impressive JLT Series that saw him named in the Round 1 senior side.
While he did not dominate games, averaging 14.2 disposals and 2.6 clearances from 20 matches, he did show the qualities that will hold him in great stead to develop into one of the competition’s brightest young prospects.
Last chance
It hasn’t been the smoothest of careers thus far for small forward Jarrod Pickett. After being drafted with pick 4 by the GWS Giants in the 2014 national draft, Pickett has managed a measly 17 matches from a possible 90.
Injuries and fitness have cruelled the prodigious talent, with Carlton fans guaranteed to be frustrated by the news that Pickett returned from his off-season break overweight.
Granted, the 178cm goalsneak appears committed to attacking 2019 with plenty of vigour, putting his hand up to do additional training sessions with Carlton’s VFL squad to get his fitness back to an acceptable level.
Out of contract at the end of next year, it really is a do-or-die season for Pickett.
New colours
The Blues were quite busy once their 2018 campaign finished, having their fingers in multiple pies as the trade period kicked off.
The acquisition of Mitch McGovern will give the Blues much-needed star power in attack, with the former Crow capable of taking big marks.
Free agent Alex Fasolo will also relish the opportunity for a fresh start after just one game for Collingwood this year.
Both McGovern and Fasolo, combined with young guns Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay, should see Carlton reach a score of triple figures in 2019, something they haven’t achieved since Round 11, 2016.
Will Setterfield was also a major coup for Carlton list manager Stephen Silvagni, with the former Giant a number 5 draft pick a couple of seasons ago.
The tall midfielder is coming off a knee reconstruction, so he won’t be rushed early in the season, while Nic Newman should see regular footy in the Blues’ backline after playing 31 games in two seasons with the Sydney Swans.
The kid
Despite murmurs the Blues could have traded their prized number one draft selection, there was never really any doubt Sam Walsh, the most outstanding teenage prospect in the country, would join the Carlton Football Club.
The dazzling midfielder displays excellent leadership qualities, as exemplified by being named captain of not only the Geelong Falcons in the TAC Cup but also for Vic Country in the Under-18 national championships, the NAB AFL Academy squad and the Under-18 All-Australian team.
Walsh averaged a tick under 30 disposals during the national championships which saw him claim the Larke Medal, joining the likes of Lachie Whitfield, Dom Sheed, Stephen Coniglio and Christian Petracca.
He will slot straight into Carlton’s best midfield and looms as a captain in waiting.
Supercoach star
Despite not playing a game in 2018, Sam Docherty will be one of fantasy football’s must haves next year. The newly-appointed co-captain of the Blues missed the entire season due to a torn ACL in the pre-season, but looms to be Carlton’s most valuable ‘recruit’ going into next season.
The star defender averaged 27.9 possessions, 9.1 marks and 114.7 Supercoach points in 2017, and there is no reason why he cannot reach those lofty heights again.
Sam Docherty will be a site for the sore eyes of Carlton fans next year. (AAP Image/Tracey Nearmy)
Fixture
Round 1: Richmond (MCG)
Round 2: Port Adelaide (Adelaide Oval)
Round 3: Sydney (Marvel Stadium)
Round 4: Gold Coast (Metricon Stadium)
Round 5: Western Bulldogs (Marvel Stadium)
Round 6: Hawthorn (UTAS Stadium)
Round 7: North Melbourne (Marvel Stadium)
Round 8: Collingwood (MCG)
Round 9: GWS Giants (Sydney Showgrounds)
Round 10: St Kilda (Marvel Stadium)
Round 11: Essendon (MCG)
Round 12: Brisbane Lions (Marvel Stadium)
Round 13: Western Bulldogs (Marvel Stadium)
Round 14: Bye
Round 15: Fremantle (Optus Stadium)
Round 16: Melbourne (MCG)
Round 17: Sydney (SCG)
Round 18: Gold Coast (Marvel Stadium)
Round 19: Adelaide (MCG)
Round 20: West Coast (Marvel Stadium)
Round 21: Richmond (MCG)
Round 22: St Kilda (MCG)
Round 23: Geelong (GMHBA Stadium)
View the full 2019 AFL fixture here
Carlton have been punished heavily for their poor on-field form in the past few seasons, with the AFL stripping them of prime-time matches in season 2019.
However, the Blues will still play in the highly-anticipated season opener against Richmond on a Thursday night in Round 1, which they will host this time around.
Brendon Bolton’s men will play in Victoria 16 times, with eight matches to be played under the roof at Marvel Stadium, seven at the MCG and one down the highway at GMHBA Stadium in Geelong.
The Blues will head to Sydney twice, while they go to the Gold Coast, Adelaide and Perth just once, with a trip to Launceston to take on Hawthorn also thrown in.
Carlton will have two cracks at the lowly Gold Coast Suns and St Kilda each, while they also face the Bulldogs twice which, depending on how the 2016 premiers continue to trend, could provide Carlton with a golden opportunity to boost their wins tally. Double-ups against Richmond and Sydney hurt.
The quirks
In Round 20 of the 2019 season, Carlton will host the reigning premiers West Coast under the roof at Marvel Stadium. It will be the first match-up between the two sides at the Docklands venue since 2014, and will be just the fifth time both teams have met there.
The Blues will also head to University of Tasmania Stadium for just the second time in their history, while they go to GMHBA Stadium in Geelong in the final round of the season for just the second time since 1997.
Don’t miss it
Despite constant criticism over this particular fixture, Carlton have again regained the joint rights to open the season with a Thursday night match-up with Richmond at the MCG.
The Tigers and Blues always open the AFL season. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)
While many footy pundits don’t rate that game on paper right now, come March they will be itching for that first bounce as Matthew Kreuzer eyes off Toby Nankervis.
For Blues’ fans, they will likely see number one draft pick Sam Walsh unveiled, along with high-profile recruits Mitch McGovern and Will Setterfield, as well as the return of newly-crowned co-captain Sam Docherty from a knee injury.
Make other plans
There is perhaps no more of a daunting venue for a young side to play at than the Adelaide Oval. In Round 2, the Blues will head across to take on a new-look Port Adelaide outfit. It will be the Blues’ third match against the Power over there, and they currently have an average losing margin of 96.5 points.
This one, if history is anything to go by, could get ugly quickly.
Headline you probably will see
“Walsh wows with stunning debut season”
Headline you probably won’t see
“Bolton’s Blues bounce into top eight on eve of September”
Final word
Another off-season, another clearing of the decks for Carlton. The types of players recruited during the Mick Malthouse era that seemed to clog the list are mostly gone, replaced with good, quality young kids who Blues’ fans can get genuinely excited about.
The spine of the best 22 is solid and, most importantly, very young. If the Blues can keep those core group of players together over the next ten years, they will be well-placed to not only return to the finals in the not-too-distant future, but challenge for their 17th premiership.
For now, however, the Blues should simply set focus on playing an attacking, exciting brand of football that will make supporters fall in love with the club again.
Charlie Curnow, Harry McKay and Mitch McGovern will provide plenty of highlights up forward, while Sam Walsh and Patrick Cripps have the chance to build a truly scary midfield partnership.
The return of Sam Docherty to the backline will not only stabilise and provide leadership, but will provide a genuine attacking option from half back. 2019 looms as the new phase of the Brendon Bolton era, and supporters should stick fat for the time being.
Predicted finish: 16th – 18th
The Original Buzz
Roar Rookie
I am hoping the Crows take a massive slide (unlikely) but the Blues now have to climb as well.
The Original Buzz
Roar Rookie
I would say 8 wins should be the pass mark after the last three years, they should be aiming for 12 wins. Anything less than 8 would be a fail in my opinion. They need to prove themselves now and start climbing the ladder, 5 wins won't get them off the bottom and they would be going backwards.
The Original Buzz
Guest
Not sold on Fasolo yet, I would like Pickett or Garlett to step up to the mark and have a break out year. Other than that, your best 22 is fairly spot on for me.
EaglesMan
Roar Rookie
Carlton need to give Patrick Cripps a helping hand, he is a battering ram, with more support they could definitely improve
Cracka
Roar Rookie
I would like to see the blues use Jones as a Ruckman, to train with the midfield group, to run ruckman off their feet play tall and as a small, as he does in the backline now, when not being used in those roles, pushed back or used on the wing as a defensive winger. As for their younger players just play them Bolton's use them and make them work hard for there positions. They could win 1 to 12 games next season. As for teams well that will change every week depending on the side they are playing WHEN they are any good that's when they will keep the same players in the side.
Chris
Guest
Carlton's youth enthusiasm and spirit will dent Richmond's season from the get-go. They will be a threat to everyone and wouldn't surprise if they made it into the top eight. Football changes very quickly and any dismissive remarks now may prove silly nonsense. They will make an impact and another aggressive trade period will see them in the thick of things...that's for sure. The big thre are back in town: Blues, Dons, Pies!
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
Fair comment Pete and I for one would love to see Wells back on the park. He is the type of player you don’t need to get 30 possessions a game because he use of the ball is exceptional and makes every possession count. Carlton is building up its midfield and this year have added Walsh, Setterfield and Stocker to join Cripps, Ed Curnow, Murphy, Dow, Fisher and SPS. Picking up Newman will also allow Docherty to spend some midfield time. Getting Andrew Russell to the club could possibly be the best bit of recruiting the club has done. Having been involved in premierships at Essendon, Port and Hawthorn he knows what is needed by players to get the best out of themselves.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
The other part to it is transition running which is why you can never have too many mids - you need players with big tanks who can sprint back and forth from half back to half forward all game long. I imagine if the Pies can get Wells on the park will play him half forward...it's a big "if" though.
1DER
Guest
Don't think 2019 will be about wins, however, it must be about a marked improvement and development of the playing group. The bottom six sides were way off the mark in 2018 and together with the Lions their draw is not as easy as it should be. Every chance that the Blues are 1 -8 at beginning of round 10 . Have travel away games to Port, Hawks (Tassie,) Giants, Freo and Geelong together with home games (non travel) against Roos, Pies, Bombers, Dees, Crows, Eagles and Lions. Double up with three cellar dwellers Suns, Bulldogs, and Suns plus the Tigers and Swans. Being competitive in 2019 will be a huge pass mark?
Macca
Roar Rookie
I am super excited about Setterfield, his highlight (although only at U18 level) just look so much like Bontempelli. Moves well in traffic with clean hands and great vision and looked at home as a lead up forward. Next to Cripps he could be very Dangerous.
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
Slane, the previous 3 years the Blues plan was to go to the draft and get as much young talent into the club as possible. The fourth year was to bring in some experience through trading as well as getting what the can in the draft. They have done this by bringing in McGovern, Newman, Fasolo and a potentially good young player in Setterfield. They identified that they needed midfield depth and grabbed Walsh and when they got the chance to grab Stocker who they rated highly they jumped at it. I don’t think the Blues are looking at next years draft as much as they have the past 4 and will more than likely look to trade in some more experience than drafting anymore young players.
Macca
Roar Rookie
Slane - "SOS will have given up a tip 3 draft pick for a bloke who most people saw as a late first rounder/early second rounder." We didn't give up the pick, we (presumably) slid back in the order. by a yet unknown amount
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
Sammy, you are correct that improvement in the kids is what we want to see and also the benefits in trading in McGovern, Newman, Setterfield and Fasolo. How much better will young players like Curnow, Fisher, Weitering, SPS, Dow, O’Brien, Marchbank, McKay etc with another pre season into their bodies is going to be what Carlton supporters will be looking for. They are the players that are the future of the Blues and with an experienced high performance manager in Andrew Russell teaching them how to condition their bodies to get the best out of themselves then I believe the Blues will start to rise up the ladder quicker than opposition supporters think. I don’t think anyone can put a number of wins on any side. The last few years we have seen top sides fall dramatically as well as bottom sides rise more than expected. I will be looking for the Blues to play consistent good football.
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
Love it Pete.
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
Pete, I think Murphy is more an offensive than defensive player and best suited to playing in the forward half when not playing through the midfield. Both Fisher and Williamson are quick, very good kicks and also good tacklers. I think Carlton would benefit from having them both playing on the wing.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Col, the Pies have an offensive Wing in Sidebottom and a defensive Wing in Mayne. Mayne wouldnt be classed as overly quick but has a good footy brain like Murphy. Could Murphy play that defensive Wing role?
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Managed to get some secret footage from the group behind the new Adelaide Crows motivational camp Col and I think they are in safe hands now. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QU5dq1TH-ck
Sammy
Guest
Haha..yes i am sure you will be. Realistically i see a 6-7 win season from xarlton and a bottom 4 finish but i get the feeling that many blues fans would be quite ok with that if they see improvement in the kids and game plan
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
I am sure you won’t be barracking for the Blues next season Sammy. You will be wishing for another wooden spoon just as us Blues will be wishing for another Don Pyke training camp.????
Slane
Guest
I would have thought the evidence suggests that the longer any player can stay off of Carlton's list the better they will become ;-) If Carlton rated Stocker as the 6th best player of the draft it's really hard to fault anything they did in the trade period. If Stocker ends up being better than RCD then SOS will have proven himself one of the best list managers in the AFL. If Stocker turns out to be just an average midfilder then SOS will have given up a tip 3 draft pick for a bloke who most people saw as a late first rounder/early second rounder. Either way I think it was a very canny bit of live trading. I hope we see more of it next year.