Carlton
Coach: Michael Voss
2021 –
Points For – 10th
Points Against – 17th
Top 5 Best and Fairest
- Sam Walsh
- Jacob Weitering
- Harry McKay
- Patrick Cripps
- Ed Curnow
2021 Rising Star Noms
Nil
Ins – George Hewatt, Adam Cerra, Lewis Young, Jesse Motlop
Outs – Eddie Betts, Levi Casboult, Michael Gibbons, Liam Jones, Marc Murphy, Sam Petrevski-Seton, Sam Ramsay
My Prediction
One of the few joys I have been able to take out of football over the twenty odd years has been watching Carlton fans start celebrating each false dawn before their hearts get torn out again. It feels like they may have accidentally got it right this time, I hope not but we will soon know.
The backline was dire last year beyond the form of Weitering and Jones. They spent big money and may have the most expensive half back line in AFL history and it was largely ineffective. Williams is a massively overpaid spud who they kidded themselves into believing could transition into the midfield after watching one game a couple of years ago where he looked ok. Jones has sold his future rather than take his jabs and reinforced everyone’s gut feeling on just how bright he seemed
The midfield looked ok last year in large part because Walsh is an absolute gun, Carlton then went and did Carlton things and paid lots of money to Cripps for a long period of time despite the fact that he has spent two years looking like his body is breaking down. Cerra is a very good in and just about to hit his stride, I dont know who Hewett is but four years seems like a long contract for a player even the Swans were surprised had an alternate offer. Its a very average midfield with a couple of very good players.
The forward line is quality and it is going to get better if Curnow can stay fit. McKay as well is a very tough match up and a good player for as long as his shoulders let him. Silvagni is coming off his best year and Martin is largely the same inconsistent footballer he was at the Suns. They lack a quality small forward and will be hoping Motlop becomes that player.
Pittonet is a bog average ruckman and they will need a bit from him this year. Him and De Koning will be it for them this year. It feels like a gap in their list but if Cripps can get first hands as often as he has in the past maybe it wont matter too much. We all remember with great fondness how Crazy Vossy dismantled the Lions with his insane list management work and we would love to see it at Carlton but I suspect he will come back as a much more complete coach and be kept an arms distance from most list management decisions.
Carlton is an average list with some pretty good players. They should contend for the eight but I am not convinced they are as ready for the jump up the ladder that so many are predicting. John Barker on his way out last year claimed they would be next season’s Melbourne. That was enough to convince me that John Barker took way too many head knocks. I think they will be around the fringes of the eight but miss the finals. 10th-12th I think feels about the mark.
