After yet another disastrous season for the Carlton army with another coach getting sacked, Carlton elected to sign caretaker coach David Teague, who won six out of a possible 11 games, to a three-year deal late last season.
Carlton have won just 21 games in the last four years and it will be expected that Teague, off a seven-win season in 2019, will be pushing for a double-digit win tally for the first time since 2013.
In this piece, we will take an in-depth look at the list and how I think they’ll go in 2020.
Best 22
FB: Lachie Plowman, Liam Jones, Kade Simpson
HB: Sam Docherty, Jacob Weitering, Caleb Marchbank
C: Sam Walsh, Patrick Cripps, Will Setterfield
HF: Mitch McGovern, Harry McKay, Jack Martin
FF: Eddie Betts, Charlie Curnow, David Cunningham
FOL: Matthew Kreuzer, Ed Curnow, Marc Murphy
INT: Sam Petrevski-Seton, Jack Silvagni, Zac Fisher, Jack Newnes
Defence
The individual talent in the Carlton defence will get Blues fans excited yet again, and with a fit Sam Docherty and Caleb Marchbank, they should improve this season.
However, there is a long way to go still for a back six that was statistically one of the worst in the competition last season, conceding the third-most points of any team in the competition.
The defensive depth is incredibly thin, as shown last year with horrible defensive performances when either of Jones or Marchbank missed through injury.
Jacob Weitering is the key to this defence improving and it’s hard to see him improving much at all. He looks like he is constantly in two minds when attacking the football and obviously as a key defender in the modern game, you have to have a load of confidence in your ability. He is only 22, which helps his cause, but you feel like this is a make or break year for the number one pick of 2015.
It’s very hard to see this back six becoming a top ten defence in 2020 and it could very easily hold Carlton back from improving and moving out of the bottom half of the ladder.
Midfield
The Carlton midfield is clearly the best part of their team and with some better coaching in 2020, they could easily develop into a finals calibre outfit.
Patrick Cripps is one of the premier midfielders in the competition and was unlucky not to win the Brownlow Medal last year, while Marc Murphy was rejuvenated when going back to the midfield and could be ready for another great season as he nears retirement.
(Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Sam Walsh had one of the better first years of any player in the game’s history as he averaged 25 disposals a game and won the Rising Star Award. Another good year is expected as he makes his way in the league.
The query surrounding the Carlton midfield is that they are slow and get hurt on the spread. Cripps, Murphy and Walsh form a very good three-pronged attack, but none of them are fast. Carlton’s other midfielders like Ed Curnow, Will Setterfield and David Cunningham aren’t quick either, which is a worry.
Their issue regarding speed is evident by them ranking fourth in the league for clearances while being ranked 16th in disposals per game. They are getting their hands on the ball first, but aren’t making any constructive plays out of it due to their lack of unity when spreading away from the contest.
For this reason, Sam Petrevski-Seton and new recruit Jack Martin will need to improve for the Blues to become an elite midfield. Both of them have elite speed and kicking ability, which is what the midfield is crying out for.
Attack
On paper, the Carlton forward line looks okay with youngsters Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay leading the attack after combining for nearly 50 goals last season.
However, the issue is whether Curnow, in particular, can stay on the park. Reports say he may miss the first half of the season with yet another knee injury and without him, the forward line looks weak.
McKay will now have to carry the burden of leading a forward line after only playing 35 games and the second key forward will be Mitch McGovern, who turned up to pre-season overweight last year.
Carlton threw everything at trying to get Tom Papley from the Swans in the trade period to fill the void of a good small forward, however, missed out and had to settle for a most likely retiring Eddie Betts.
Besides Betts, the Blues don’t have any other small forwards. Jack Silvagni, Jack Martin, Zac Fisher and David Cunningham are all more midfielders than forwards and due to this, the Blues will yet again be lacking pressure in their forward line.
Prediction
Under a new regime, the Carlton faithful will be expecting to push for finals in 2020. However, it is yet again unlikely that they will.
On every line, there are plenty of question marks surrounding improvement or stagnation, and it would be ignorant to think that every question mark is going to be answered with flying colours.
It wouldn’t completely surprise if the Blues shot up the ladder this season, but I’m predicting a finish similar to what they did in 2019.
Predicted finish: 16th
David F Ciampa
Guest
this aged well
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
Sorry for having a low ceiling Dingo but it has been low for the past 5 years. If I remember rightly your ceiling for the Lions last year wasn’t very high either - about 14th. You were way off the mark and I would certainly be happy if I am that far off too. If we get a good run with injuries (which we haven’t for a few years and Charlie is already out for the first half) then we could certainly be in contention for 8 - 12 wins. Apart from the top 5 teams and Gold Coast, I see the others as fairly even, therefore even with 8 - 10 wins you could still finish bottom 4.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
"I think you fail to grasp that defence starts in the forward line and that was an area Carlton were quite weak last year" Great point, and would be very interested in how you think Carlton will improve in that area?
DingoGray
Roar Guru
You can't seriously consider Liam Jones an 'A-Grade Player'. What's he played what 15 decent games as a defender?
DingoGray
Roar Guru
"I cannot say for certain where the Blues will finish this year but I am pretty confident if they have a good run with injuries they will have a better season than last year." Low ceiling Col.... I would imagine the Carlton faithful would be ready to burn the place down if they don't have a better season than last year
DingoGray
Roar Guru
This thread become tedious to follow again
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
So much to agree with Blue20. We have more depth in our side than we have had for the past 10 years, and there is a lot of quality as well. Looking forward to see how McGovern goes after dropping 7kgs, and also our new recruits. Eddie might be 33 but he has said he is back loving football after that infamous Adelaide camp made him lose a lot of passion. Martin is impressing everybody with his training, particularly his tackling which will be great in our forward line and midfield. Newnes is also impressing and has stated that moving to Carlton has re- vitalised him. Also getting another pre-season into McKay, SPS, Dow, O’Brien, Cunningham, JSOS, Weitering (he looks a beast), Stocker and Walsh is only going to help.
Blue20
Guest
Wow what an article, missed the mark in my view The blues defence is nowhere near as poor as presented. Firstly Teague has confirmed that SPS will play back and alongside a returning Docherty and Williamson, you can expect serious rebound from the defence. The key position posts are well covered with Jones, Weitering, Marchbank, Plowman and Casboult all able to play tall. Weitering rarely gets beaten these days and you’re in for a tough day on Jones. Midfield is one year older and will surprise. Kreuzer, Cripps, Setterfield, Dow, Walsh, Martin, Murphy, Ed Curnow, Fisher, Cunningham is a good mix of inside and outside run. No issue with pace and Pittonet, Dekoning and Casboult are good ruck reserves if needed. Forwards are progressing well, however perhaps is our biggest question mark. We need greater output from McKay and McGovern whilst Charlie is out, however both are quality. Betts, Cunningham, Murphy, Martin can all play small forward well and the blues will get a huge boost in the second half from Charlie Curnow. Blues batting deep in 20 Predicted finish 6-10
Rippa86
Roar Rookie
I stopped reading as soon as you mentioned Weitering being a spud.
Nozz_888
Guest
Interesting view point. I think it's a very bland viewpoint, but nonetheless interesting. I think you fail to grasp that defence starts in the forward line and that was an area Carlton were quite weak last year. To dump score against all on the back six is disingenuous. To not seperate stats from two coaches is also a bit of a rort. I've put Carlton around 12 this year and top 8, 2021. They have some quality people and it's going to start to show.
Macca
Roar Rookie
"It’s obvious watching Carlton that they struggle to spread from the contest." More to do with endurance than speed. The likes of Fisher, Dow & Cuningham all have plenty of speed they just don't haven't had the seasoned bodies to be able to go for a full game week in week out. As these players build their tank the midfield will look packed with speed. The likes of Murphy, Ed Curnow and Cripps aren't exactly slow - just don't have elite pace.
Liam
Guest
You have labelled Levi 'simply isn't good at AFL level', and 'not backline depth'; this despite a Champion Data piece that demonstrates that, at least as a key defender, he actually goes fairly well. You dismissed it a puff piece.
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
If you read my comment you would see that I disagreed with your comment about the midfield lacking speed. They may not be the quickest but certainly do not lack speed. If you watched the wins against the Bulldogs & Brisbane you would see that our midfield absolutely destroyed the opposition. I wouldn’t call Richmonds midfield quick either yet they have been able to win 2 of the past 3 flags.
William Cornwill
Roar Guru
Do you not think the Carlton midfield is slow? Maybe it was a bad use of the statistic, however, there is a big difference than when West Coast moves the ball quickly and get it into a forward line of Kennedy and Darling, compared to when Carlton get it into McKay and Curnow. It's obvious watching Carlton that they struggle to spread from the contest.
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
Last season Levi played 43% time forward, 36% as a key back and 21% in the ruck which made him the most versatile player in the AFL. To put Casboults round 8 - 13 stint in defence into perspective he recorded 4.2 intercept marks a game, an average that would make him the league best over a season. I wonder how many clubs would like a player who can play forward, back & ruck?
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
William, I am still puzzled with your statement about Carlton’s midfield being slow because they ranked 4th in clearances yet 16th in disposals. If you read my reply you would have seen Brisbane & West Coast stats were nearly the same as Carlton & 4 of the top 5 sides ranked 11th or lower in disposals. Collingwood were top for disposals yet 14th for clearances. Just means they tended to chip it around more.
Macca
Roar Rookie
Don't think it is particularly "glass half full" to expect a third year player completing his first full pre-season who has shown he has "ball winning ability"to improve from his 2nd year efforts. It seems basic logic.
William Cornwill
Roar Guru
How have I selectively used stats that verify my argument? Isn't that what everyone would do when pointing out a weakness in a team? I haven't been stubborn about criticism either, look above and you will see that I haven't.
William Cornwill
Roar Guru
That's a fair enough view if you are taking the half glass full approach Macca, which I'm sure most Carlton supporters are. As I said, I'm not completely writing him off or anything, but I think he needs to improve dramatically coming into his third season.
Macca
Roar Rookie
"but his decision making and poor foot skills were the most concerning part of his game. I don’t question his ball-winning ability at all." This is exactly why I am bulliish about him this year, he has demonstrated he can win the ball (and do some exciting things with it) he simply didn't have the endurance necessary at AFL level - this lack of endurance impacted his decision making and his ball use. With track watchers noticing a significant change in his kicking this pre-season and Andrew Russell stating his endurance has improved dramatically it is hard not to expect another step forward from Dow this year.