Carlton might have the best list on paper in the AFL, but that only gets you so far in a premiership race.

The Blues are home to some of the best players across each positional line but have continued to fall short of expectations, with 2025 hoping to be a fruitful year for Michael Voss' men.

While Carlton's top line of stars will again be a major influence, it might be their lower third of talent that can help them go an extra step or two.

With plenty of stars at their peak and a handful of young guns improving each year, we look at Carlton's best 23 for the coming season, assessing their defenders, midfielders and forwards before naming our predicted side.

Our Best 23 for 2025 series will include players unavailable for the start of the season, only excluding players who are expected to miss most/all of the season through injury/suspension.

2. Midfielders

The Blues bat deep in midfield, but there is a sense that captain Patrick Cripps needs more support on a consistent basis.

Star ball winners Sam Walsh and Adam Cerra have both faced injury setbacks in recent years to quell their impact, with the latter entering a critical campaign at Princes Park after a lean 2024.

Walsh could soon surpass Cripps as the Blues' main man in the middle, despite the Carlton captain polling a record 45 Brownlow votes last season.

George Hewett will add a defensive side to the Blues' midfielder planning, while Sam Docherty's composure and leadership are sure to be utilised through the middle.

A void has been created in the engine room with the departure of Matt Kennedy to the Western Bulldogs, opening the door for several emerging midfielder to push for a starting spot.

Pick 3 selection Jagga Smith could have an instant impact in navy blue after having no issue in the VFL for Richmond last year as a teenager, while 2024 Mid-Season Draft recruit Cooper Lord has turned heads since joining the club.

Father-son duo Ben and Lucas Camporeale might not get a look at senior level in 2025, but they'll offer healthy competition from underneath as they likely press for wing roles.

Those spots will be claimed by Blake Acres, Matt Cottrell and Jaxon Binns, with the likes of Docherty, Smith and Cerra also able to rotate wide.

The ruck situation at Carlton is a curious one, with the Blues expected to use Tom De Koning full-time in the middle after years spent between the central and forward thirds.

De Koning was a dominant presence in his switch to the first-string ruck role before being struck down with injury, with Marc Pittonet a more-than-serviceable backup option.