Usually, surveys with a low sample size aren’t taken very seriously and whilst that’s got some merit, the results of asking a 28, 42 and 67-year-old Carlton supporter how they felt about their off-season, there was a collective non-concern not associated with the Blues in almost a decade.
From trading in Chris Judd in the late 2000s, to a late boom in Zac Williams, Adam Saad, Adam Cerra and George Hewett, the off-season at Ikon Park has usually consisted of splashes, promises and the collective over-inflated sense of optimism.
Cut to late-August and Carlton fans’ chins are scraping footpaths all over the country. Rinse and repeat.
Whilst the 2022 season ended with more (and rightly so) footpath scraping, the reality of a Carlton side relying on natural improvement rather than a “big fish saviour”, leads to a justified sense of 2023 leading to genuine production.
The key pillars of Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay are locked away for the foreseeable future, Patrick Cripps is a Brownlow Medallist, Sam Walsh has that potential and the weaknesses in the list have diminished, to just nabbing Blake Acres from the Dockers, whilst retaining their next four picks in the first two rounds (2022 & 2023 drafts).
Patrick Cripps after winning the 2022 Brownlow Medal. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
The Blues’ key back and small forward stocks are still looming as the side’s weaker points, however in the case of the small forwards, Jesse Motlop showed flashes of brilliance and Corey Durdin went to work so there’s not nothing there, just the investment of another pre-season.
The key back problem still exists, even with Lewis Young being very solid in the back half of 2022. Mitch McGovern can’t seem to stay fit and there isn’t depth behind them, with Liam Jones off to the Dogs and Oscar McDonald being delisted.
Getting a key back in the draft would be the ultimate win, whether it’s if Jedd Busslinger slides to Pick 10, or if Josh Weddle or Lewis Hayes are still there in the second round (or the Blues trade up with the Giants at some point, who have a quarter of the picks in the top 20).
The overall theme for the Blues is they’re in as great a shape as a team who didn’t make finals can be. No fanfare, no over the top indulgence, just heads down, bum up, do the work and the reward will come. Just ask the coach.
We could be living in a world where Carlton (at least internally) allow themselves to fly under the radar a touch, just do what they can control and let the media fall over themselves if they so choose.
Expectation will follow this group and rightly so. Harry McKay deeming the season a success if they didn’t make finals isn’t the hard lined attitude that needs to be instilled into this group but the burn off being a point off finals will tell us all we need to know.
Footy’s a mental game and the psychological strength of Carlton will determine the fate.
Coach? Tick
Captain? Tick
Soldiers? Tick
To quote my ex co-worker (the aforementioned 67-year old) who’s loved the Blues for more than double the time I’ve been alive, “it’s nice to not be the centre of attention after the grand final, a breath of fresh air”.
I couldn’t agree more.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
You don't recognise the distinction. Carlton...other teams.
Macca
Roar Rookie
So according to you expecting a premiership is demanding, you claim you aren’t demanding and so you can’t be expecting a premiership. You are the one who made them exclusive.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Neither is exclusive of the other. You'd be a terrible prosecutor.
Macca
Roar Rookie
Ahh so you never expect the Dockers to actually win a premiership.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Nah. Expecting a premiership is. Predictions are all about banter between supporters.
Macca
Roar Rookie
Predicting a premsierhsip every year isn't demanding?
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Balanced supporters. Demanding supporters can take 5 years off a player's career.
Macca
Roar Rookie
Strange how what supporters do and say has no impact on the players
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
That's no burden; that's just my prediction. The Freo playing list has no idea who I am.
Macca
Roar Rookie
Other than predicting a premiership every year. :laughing:
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
We walk with them in fellowship; supporting in the lows, dancing in the heights. We place no burdens on them, just wind beneath their wings.
Macca
Roar Rookie
How many of the 5 are on $1m a year and back ended?
Macca
Roar Rookie
Freo fans don’t expect anything from their players Don?
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Not Carlton players. They carry the burden of their fans. That's 5 years off each career.
PeteB
Roar Rookie
Premiership
Macca
Roar Rookie
A lot went wrong this year and 1 goal more (or 1 less conceded) over the whole season would have seen us play finals. Adding Acres at least partly solves 1 of our biggest deficiencies in 2022 and hopefully another pre-season into Durdin and Motlop and possibly the return of Cuningham might at least partly solve another. The BLues aren't that far away.
Macca
Roar Rookie
Docherty is about to turn 29, Cripps is still 27 and the other 2 are just 28. If the BLues can't replace them over the next 4 years through the draft they are worse than the Suns at list managment.
Macca
Roar Rookie
Peter - can you advise us how much is being paid on these long term contract and when?
Macca
Roar Rookie
Cat - why do yu do yourself such an injustice as to spot this drivel.
Macca
Roar Rookie
Blues best 8 players - Cripps, Curnow, McKay, Weitering, Walsh, Saad, Docherty & Hewett Carlton top 10 in the 2022 B&F - Cripps, Docherty, Walsh, Curnow, Hewett, Saad, McKay, Fisher, Kennedy & Cerra Player Contracted beyond 2025 - Williams (2026), Walsh (2026) Cripp (2027), McKay (2030), Curnow (2029). Which players exactly have "ridiculous high priced massive term contracts", how much are they being paid and when?