Carlton
Coach: David Teague
2019 –
Points For – 15th
Points Against – 15th
Top 5 Best and Fairest
- Patrick Cripps
- Ed Curnow
- Lachie Plowman
- Sam Walsh
- Levi Casboult
2019 Rising Star Noms
Sam Walsh (Round 4)
Ins – Brodie Kemp, Sam Philp, Sam Ramsay, Jack Martin, Josh Honey, Fraser Phillips, Eddie Betts, Jack Newnes, Marc Pittonet
Outs – Tom Bugg, Josh Deluca, Alex Fasolo, Jarrod Garlett, Pat Kerr, Kym Lebois, Matthew Lobbe, Andrew Phillips, Jarrod Pickett, Angus Schumacher, Dale Thomas
My Prediction
Carlton seem to be the tip of the year as the big improver, this though seems an annual event as if they are about to turn some mythical corner and wind back the clock to achieve relevance. This year does feel different with the common sense appointment of Teague who pointed the list in the right direction towards the end of last season and had them finish the year with their best period of form for a long time.
The backline is built around Weitering and Jones as the key backs with Plowman and Marchbank able to come in and support. I felt like Jones got found out last year and struggled against more mobile key forwards. Weitering has been destroyed by Bolton and it will be interesting to see if he can get back on track. They will be praying for an injury free Docherty but after two knees in two years, it will take him time. Newman was a handy pick up last year and Simpson will keep going even if he needs a Zimmer frame.
The midfield is a one man wrecking machine. They can talk about depth but the majority of their wins last year happened when Cripps put the team on his shoulders and carried them. They need him to keep doing that. Walsh is a good player and Setterfield started to show why he was rated highly. Murphy will keep doing what Murphy does (high skilled squibbing) and Ed Curnow is a decent food soldier. It wouldn’t surprise to see Charlie Curnow play a few more midfield minutes this year to try and relieve some of the workload on Cripps.
The forward line is high on potential. McKay looks a gun with great skills, Curnow threatens to rip games apart but still lacks consistency and at times, work rate. They spent heavily on McGovern who has not repaid the faith at this job and needs a big preseason. Small forwards are still questionable with bringing in Betts who looked shot last year in Adelaide. Petrevski-Seton is ready to move up the field more but they may still require him closer to goal.
The rucking looks good when Kreuzer is fit, but when is he ever fit for long periods. I think the recruitment of Pittonet was good and he is an able backup. Will be interesting to see how he goes as first ruck for long periods. Teague looks a solid coach and did good things last year. The word from places he was assistant seems to be that he was ready for the step. That being said, Carlton didn’t feel he was ready until their hand was pushed by players and fans. We will find out more as this year rolls on.
There still looks to be a significant gap between the quality of the players on their list. They have a good top tier and Cripps may end up the best player in the competition if he isn’t already but they are lack depth and I think their key position players still look fragile. All that being said, they shouldn’t be as low on the ladder as they were and I think they will look like a chance to play finals football for a lot of the year before just missing out. I think they will finish in the 10-12 range.