NRL champion side the Penrith Panthers, fresh off a remarkable four-peat, have been used as inspiration for one of the AFL's biggest clubs chasing premiership success for the first time this decade.
Carlton midfielder George Hewett spoke to the media on Wednesday, revealing the Blues had looked into the cross-code club's success story, achieving a feat not seen in the AFL world since Collingwood's VFL four-in-a-row between 1927 and 1930.
Hewett noted Panthers coach Ivan Cleary's straightforward message would be a key catalyst for Carlton's mental approach to football games in 2025.
"There's no secret (to success), we've done a bit of work into the Penrith Panther's story and Ivan Cleary talks about their game plan pretty simply where they try and do everything better than their opponent," Hewett said.
"(2024) was a bit of a mix. We played some quite strong footy throughout the year and then we didn't, so it was an inconsistent year. We'll be looking to improve that and that all starts on the training track."
Carlton's pre-season practice has been strong, with multiple personal bests on the track, preparing the Blues for a premiership tilt.
Hewett said that all players have come back from their off-season and Christmas breaks with elite fitness.
"It's been good. Everyone came back from the off-season in really good shape, there were a lot of PBs in their running and then the camp up in the Sunshine Coast was awesome, it was a bit wet," the 29-year-old said.
"We had three weeks off for the Christmas break and we had our first training session last Friday and we've come back in pretty good shape and we had a bit of match play on Monday. Everyone is looking good."
Hewett mentioned Jesse Motlop as one of the standouts of the squad, improving rapidly after a period of injury setbacks.
Motlop played 21 games in 2023 and booted 24 goals, but was limited to just seven appearances in 2024 as he suffered a pre-season toe injury and a lingering hamstring strain during the home and away fixture.
"I think Jesse Motlop has been pretty strong. He had a really good pre-season last year then had a few injury hiccups but this year he has come back in really good shape, he looks like the standout for a lot of us at the minute. He looks really confident, he's put in the work."
On the note of injuries, Hewett was confident that Walsh's recent hamstring strain would be overcome quickly and that the Carlton star would be back to full health as soon as possible.
Walsh suffered a low-grade hamstring strain on Monday, ruling the 24-year-old out for a month, likely to gradually integrate back into training in two to three weeks.
Jack Silvagni is close to beginning to integrate into the main training program as he recovers from an ACL rupture that occurred nearly 12 months ago.
"It's not great news, he was training really well as he always does," Hewett said.
"He pulled up a bit tight and I think he'll be out of a couple of weeks. He's flat out with everything so hopefully he'll attack his rehab again the way he does and hopefully be back soon.
"I think Walshy knows his body pretty well now, he managed himself really well in the off-season and came back really fit.
"It's just one of those things where sometimes you do soft tissue injuries.
"Jack's been good. He's still doing a bit with the rehab group but he's the ultimate competitor so hopefully he gets a clean run at this pre-season and I'm sure wherever he plays, he'll give it his all like he always does."
Walsh's injury will allow draftees Jagga Smith, and Lucas and Ben Camporeale ample opportunity to fight for a spot in the midfield as Carlton gear up for match simulations and intra-club matches in the next few weeks.
Hewett said that the midfield group looks likely to change its dynamic in 2025, although who comes in and where they are positioned is yet to be decided.
"It looks a bit different with Jagga [Smith] and the two Campoerale boys," Hewett said.
"Everyone will get a look, it'll be a bit different but the boys are training and competing pretty well to get their spots.
"It's a bit early to tell. Our first match play was on Monday and it was a good hitout, it felt pretty even, so the boys are competing hard and see how it goes."
