Season Preview: Carlton

2020 Recap What could have been? Carlton had their finals hopes in their own hands before losing key games in the second half of the season and missing out on a maiden finals appearance since 2013. The Blues showed genuine improvement last year and were much more competitive then they had been in past seasons. Other than their loss to Adelaide they were very competitive in most matches they played and may well have made finals had they been able to prevent multiple runs of 5+ goals against. [caption id="attachment_42749" align="alignnone" width="696"] GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - JULY 12: Blues celebrate winning during the round 6 AFL match between the Carlton Blues and the Western Bulldogs at Metricon Stadium on July 12, 2020 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)[/caption] Those runs cost the Blues on far too many occasions. In nine of their 17 games the Blues conceded a run of five goals or more, and while they were able to win some of those games, most of those runs turned out to be the difference between winning and losing. A season of close but not close enough for the Blues. Off-season moves Ins: Zac Williams (GWS), Adam Saad (Essendon), Lachie Fogarty (Geelong), Corey Durdin (national draft), Jack Carroll (national draft), Luke Parks (national draft). Outs: Hugh Goddard (delisted), Matthew Kreuzer (retired), Darcy Lang (delisted), Harrison Macreadie (delisted), Callum Moore (delisted), Finbar O'Dwyer (delisted), Fraser Phillips (delisted), Cameron Polson (delisted), Ben Silvagni (delisted), Kade Simpson (retired). Off-season Grade A The Blues got their guys, they identified their targets and they went about getting them through the door. Zac Williams is a brilliant acquisition, he will add outside pace and polish to a midfield in need of it. Adam Saad joined from arch-rivals Essendon and will provide more creativity which is something Carlton has been lacking, His run and drive have seen him become one of, if not the game's best small defender. He is a great ball user and can shut out the games best small forwards as well as launching attacks off half-back. The Blues didn't invest in the draft as they have in the past, but what they did get seems to have filled some areas they were otherwise lacking in. Corey Durdin looks like a real chance for round one in the small forward slot while Luke Parks has impressed in match simulation. [caption id="attachment_71114" align="alignnone" width="696"] GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 28: Corey Durdin of South Australia is tackled by Isaac Wareham (L) and Jay Rantall of Vic Country (R) during the AFL 2019 U18 Championships match between Vic Country and South Australia at GMHBA Stadium on June 28, 2019 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)[/caption] Defining Period Rounds 1-4 loom as pivotal to Carlton's finals hopes, they open their season against Richmond and while not many people will expect them to beat the reigning premiers, they can certainly send an early message. [caption id="attachment_18768" align="alignnone" width="696"] Nick Vlaustin and Ed Curnow during the round one AFL match between the Richmond Tigers and the Carlton Blues at Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 22, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia.[/caption] The Blues take on Collingwood, Fremantle and the Gold Coast in must-win games to round out their opening month. They must be pulling in three wins from their opening four before matches against Port Adelaide and Brisbane. Any slip-ups will see the Blues playing catch up from the get-go, if they manage to upset one of the aforementioned premiership contenders it could set up their season from the onset. Best 22 B: Lachie Plowman, Liam Jones, Caleb Marchbank HB: Sam Docherty, Jacob Weitering, Adam Saad C: Marc Murphy, Sam Walsh, Sam Petrevski-Seton HF: Jack Martin, Charlie Curnow, Zac Fisher FF: Jack Silvagni, Harry McKay, Eddie Betts FOLL: Tom De Koning, Patrick Cripps, Zac Williams INT: Ed Curnow, Will Setterfield, Levi Casboult, Tom Williamson [caption id="attachment_31550" align="alignnone" width="696"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 15: Sam Walsh of the Blues in action during the 2019 AFL round 13 match between the Carlton Blues and the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium on June 15, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)[/caption] Strengths and Weaknesses There's no doubt Carlton's strength lies in their defence. Jacob Weitering was very unlucky to fall short of a maiden All-Australian blazer in 2020 and he has formed a formidable partnership with Liam Jones. Lachie Plowman had an outstanding year playing both big and small and the arrival of Adam Saad will make his life a lot easier, as it will for Sam Docherty who won't have to carry the load of launching attacks from defence with Saad now taking over that responsibility. [caption id="attachment_17114" align="alignnone" width="696"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 04: Lachie Plowman of the Blues handballs away from Daniel Rich of the Lions during the round 11 AFL match between the Carlton Blues and the Brisbane Lions at Etihad Stadium on June 4, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)[/caption] They have plenty of depth their as well, where they don't have as much depth is their midfield. While it isn't a bear-boned as it has been in the past it is still the area the Blues lack in the most. The addition of Zac Williams is a huge plus but they need the likes of Paddy Dow, Lochie O'Brien, Sam Petrevski-Seton and Matt Kennedy to take the next step and share the load. If they don't get that lift, the load could again be too much for too few and see the Blues lose touch with the top eight. Prediction 8th The Blues will break their finals drought. They have a good draw and seem to have the list to take a significant leap up the ladder. The time for waiting is over and now is time for the Carlton rocket to launch, if not now, when? [caption id="attachment_34156" align="alignnone" width="696"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 08: Patrick Cripps of the Blues celebrates kicking a goal during the round 12 AFL match between the Carlton Blues and the Brisbane Lions at Marvel Stadium on June 08, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)[/caption]

		P	W	L	PTS	%
1	HAW	4	4	0	16	127.4
2	BL	4	4	0	16	119.5
3	GC	3	3	0	12	172.6
4	GWS	4	3	1	12	149
5	ADEL	4	3	1	12	146.6
6	COLL	4	3	1	12	123.4
7	STK	4	3	1	12	112.3
8	GEEL	4	2	2	8	135.7

Season Preview: Carlton

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