19 players made the 44-man All-Australian team for the first time in 2024, suggesting they took their game to the next level.
So, who could be primed to do the same in 2025?
In no particular order, here are 10 players who have the opportunity to take the next big step over the coming 12 months.
3. Jesse Motlop
The departure of Matt Owies from Carlton leaves a small forward hole in the Blues team that Jesse Motlop seems primed to fill. Motlop has played three seasons in the league with the latest being undeniably his least efficient.
In 2023 it seemed as though he was set to take the next step into 2024 but he only managed to kick six goals in six games. But with Owies gone, he will be the focal point at ground level to clean up Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay's crumbs.
Motlop managed 24 goals in 2023, so to see him reach 35-45 goals in 2025 shouldn't be out of the question if he can stay healthy. But equally as important is that he needs to be able to apply forward pressure. Too often opposing teams did not feel the heat playing against the Blues, especially when transitioning out of defence.
