The Blues enter 2022 with a refreshed lineup on the field and in the coaching box, with hopes of breaking away from being a mid-tier team and finally re-entering the race for finals.
The Blues have made significant changes to their list, with big names both exiting and entering Princes Park.
New senior coach Michael Voss was known for his competitiveness and ferociousness as a player and he will be looking to enforce this mantra into the previously inconsistent Blues.
Ins: Adam Cerra (Fremantle Dockers), George Hewett (Sydney Swans), Lewis Young (Western Bulldogs), Jesse Motlop, Domanic Akuei.
Outs: Michael Gibbons (Delisted), Sam Ramsey (Delisted), Liam Jones (retired), Eddie Betts (Retired), Marc Murphy (Retired), Levi Casboult (retired), Sam Petrevski-Seton (West Coast Eagles).
With the loss of Liam Jones leaving a giant hole in defence, the Blues will look to fill the intercept marking void and give Weitering some assistance manning up on key forwards.
Defender Caleb Marchbank will miss the start of the season as he continues to recover from an ACL injury, leaving new recruit Lewis Young as the most likely replacement for Jones in the early rounds.
Adam Saad will be looking to return to his peak form providing the main source of run and carry out of the Blues' backline.
The Blues had some defensive lapses throughout last season, having runs of goals scored against them. Despite the loss of Jones, the Blues have versatility and experience in their backline and can hold up against competitive forward lines.
The Blues have made some welcome additions to their midfield with Adam Cerra making the move from Fremantle. He adds much-needed depth to the group.
Sam Walsh and Patrick Cripps have been the main workhorses for the Blues in recent seasons, however they have been in desperate need of more support.
The Blues now have more options as to who they can line up at centre bounces, with George Hewett, Paddy Dow, Ed Curnow, and Matthew Kennedy to be used as extra rotations.
There is a lack of genuine wingmen on the Blues' list, with Lochie O'Brien and Matt Cottrell being the two endurance runners outside of Walsh. However, they could rotate the likes of Zac Williams, Nic Newman and Sam Docherty along the wing.
With the return of Charlie Curnow providing a highlight for the Blues in 2021, there will be more expectation placed on the Blues forward line in 2022.
With both Charlie Curnow and 2021 Coleman medallist Harry McKay entering their seventh seasons, the pressure is on for the pair to become one of the most competitive forward duos in the competition.
With Eddie Betts being the Blues' most notable forward line loss, the club will look to Zac Fisher and Jack Martin to fulfil crumbing small forward roles, while draftee Jesse Motlop also firms as an attacking option.
The Blues have struggled to consistently put big scores on the board, however as this forward group, including Jack Silvagni and Mitch McGovern, play more games together they have the potential to consistently cause havoc for other team's defence.
FB: Liam Stocker, Jacob Weitering, Sam Docherty
HB: Adam Saad, Caleb Marchbank, Nic Newman
C: Zac Williams, Patrick Cripps, Sam Walsh
HF: Jack Silvagni, Charlie Curnow, Jack Martin
FF: Josh Honey, Harry McKay, Zac Fisher
Fol: Marc Pittonet, Adam Cerra, George Hewett
I/C: Tom De Koning, Ed Curnow, Lewis Young, Mitch McGovern
EMERG: Lachie Plowman, Matt Kennedy, Lachie Fogarty, Will Setterfield