It’s all in front of the Blues in 2024.
Carlton goes into this AFL season with its eyes on the main prize (when could we last say that?) on the back of its epic surge in the second half of 2023 all the way to a preliminary final against Brisbane at the Gabba. Heck, for the first 30 minutes of that prelim, the Blues looked grand final bound.
A list loaded with stars on every line that wants for nothing – now with considerable experience under its belt and an age demographic in the sweet spot – the Blues have all the tools to add an outright AFL best 17th flag.
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Two of the best power forwards in the game in the same forward line? Tick. A star-studded midfield? Tick. A now stingy defensive group that has built chemistry together? Tick. Taking on the ruthless and uncompromising approach of their coach and courageous captain? Tick.
Indeed, the arrow is pointing firmly north.
This sleeping giant has been building and building for some time, to have not only assembled elite talent on field, but also to have formed a trusting culture and stability off field, too – which are so important in the modern era.
So are the Blues indeed on the same level as the likes of Collingwood and Brisbane as a real premiership contender?
“Yeah, definitely,”dual premiership player Cameron Mooney told foxfooty.com.au.
“If things keep tracking the way they were tracking last year, their good players all play well and they’re injury free, they’ll be one of the favourites.”
Of course, last year wasn’t all rosy in an extreme tale of two halves for Michael Voss and company. Sitting in the bottom four at the midway point of the season amid a six-game losing streak as incredible pressure was heaped on Voss, the Blues rocketed into finals in a dreamy run all the way to the final four.
It was like something straight out of movie.
It came after Carlton struggled to put it all together the previous year too, sensationally tumbling out of the finals in the final round on mere percentage despite sitting inside the tip eight for the entire season.
And so the Blues have something of a point to prove in 2024 that they’re the real deal. And to fully earn our trust that the first half of last season was an aberration, and the team we saw from Round 14 onwards is the real Carlton.
For until we see it all come together across a full season, even the most optimistic of Blues fans will have that little bit of doubt in the back of their minds, given the ups and downs, predominantly the latter, they’ve experienced this century.
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“Their recent history does leave a little question mark for mine. This is one of the biggest clubs in the country, that hasn’t been a great club for a long time,” Mooney added.
“It’s always a big club, list hasn’t been a great club – a big club and a great club are two different things. It’s only the last few years we’re starting to recognise Carlton is on its way back to being a great club.
“That puts a lot of pressure on them. How they handle it is what I’m looking forward to. Can they deliver on the promise? – for a club that’s failed to deliver for so long. That’s my biggest question mark.
“I hope they do, because I would love nothing more than to see a great Carlton club again.”
As important as anything for Carlton last year though was getting that first taste of September in 10 years … and boy was it worth the wait in a wild ride for fans.
Voss’ side edged out Sydney (by six points) and Melbourne (two points) in two of the most insane finals of the post-season in scenes of pure jubilation from the Blue Baggers, whose explosion of passion and booming roar made up for that 10-year September drought.
Footy is better when the Blues, after a decade of doom and gloom, are a powerhouse again as the club will look to build off its rise last year – and go one, or two, better.
There’s something special brewing at Ikon Park.
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STRENGTH
Twin towers and midfield. Carlton having not one, but two star key forwards is such a valuable point of difference that very few other clubs have. And the fact Charlie Curnow, 27, and Harry McKay, 26, who’ve combined to win the last three Coleman Medals, are both in their absolute primes makes it an even greater advantage. Sure there’s been some criticism around whether the duo can coexist at their optimum and towards McKay for not getting back to his absolute peak form in 2021. But the possibility that there’s still upside is a scary one for the rest of the AFL, while Curnow will be keen to atone for a quiet finals series. If the two can really distinguish their roles in 2024 and continue to build chemistry, the Blues will be seriously tough to beat. Of course, everything is powered by Michael Voss’ star-studded engine room and stoppage game, led by Patrick Cripps, Sam Walsh and Adam Cerra. It bats deep with multiple A-graders and is incredibly well balanced, with the ability to bully the opposition and play the game in the Blues’ forward half. After the 2023 home and away season, Carlton ranked first in the competition for average points from clearances (47.6) and contested possession differential (+15.8), while it was also second for clearance differential (+6.6).
WEAKNESS
Turnover game. The one part of their game that wasn’t in good shape last year during their epic run into finals. Ten of the past 11 premiers have ranked among the top-six teams for points from turnover differential. After the 2023 home and away season, the Blues ranked 11th in the competition (-1.9). Carlton’s struggles with scoring off intercepts is a big reason why it finished outside the top four last year and an area it’ll look to correct in 2024 to have more balance in score sources. They’d also love one of their small forwards like Matt Owies (27 goals in 2023) or Jesse Motlop (24 goals) to make a genuine leap to the competition’s elite in their position and for more support for Curnow and McKay. Along the same lines, Tom De Koning becoming a fully fledged star and elite ruckman of the competition, which he’s shown flashes of, would also raise their ceiling. Again though, if it all comes together for the Blues this year, it’s downright scary for the other 17 teams.
WHERE ARE THEY ON THE PREMIERSHIP CLOCK?
9pm: The time is now for the Blues, and really, their premiership window is wide open for the next several years. Jack Silvagni’s ACL blow and uncertainty around Jacob Weitering’s availability to start the season due to a calf concern are just about the only concerns for Carlton right now. But they’ll welcome back Zac Williams from his ACL injury and brought in Elijah Hollands, older brother of Ollie, at a budget price. The Blues lost a bit of depth after the trade departures of Zac Fisher and Paddy Dow, but that happens to all good sides, plus the arrival of Hollands and others stepping up should help offset it amid a healthy competition for spots. The fact Carlton had one of its quieter trade periods in some time tells you everything you need to know – the list, like the club as a whole, is settled and ready to contend for more silverware.
PREDICTED LADDER RANGE
1st-4th
PREDICTED ROUND 1 TEAM
B: Nic Newman, Jacob Weitering*, Brodie Kemp
HB: Zac Williams, Mitch McGovern, Adam Saad
C: Blake Acres, Patrick Cripps, Sam Docherty
HF: Jack Martin, Charlie Curnow, Lachie Fogarty
F: Matt Owies, Harry McKay, Jesse Motlop
FOLL: Tom De Koning, Adam Cerra, Sam Walsh
I/C: George Hewett, Matt Kennedy, Caleb Marchbank, Matt Cottrell, Ollie Hollands (sub)
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