Carlton
Coach: Michael Voss
2023–
Points For – 9th
Points Against – 4th
Top 5 Best and Fairest
1 – Jacob Weitering
2 – Nic Newman
3 – Charlie Curnow
4 – Adam Cerra
5 – Patrick Cripps
2023 Rising Star Noms
Oliver Hollands (Rnd 21)
Ins – Matt Carroll, Orazio Fantasia, Elijah Hollands, Ashton Moir, Rob Monahan, Billy Watson
Outs – Ed Curnow, Paddy Dow, Zac Fisher, Josh Honey, Sam Philp, Lachie Plowman
My Prediction
There was very few things more disappointing last year than Carlton finding their feet and looking like a good football team. Half way through the year things looked so promising, they were consistently losing, Voss had one foot out the door and fans were trying desperately to cut off the other foot and throw it out with him. Then things got ugly and they started winning.
The backline has achieved the amazing and the impossible in making Mitch McGovern look like a footballer. Jokes on them though, it was a contract year, he will be back to his usual self this year. Weitering found his feet again and you could make an argument he was the best backman in the comp. Newman was good off half back and then there is Zac Williams, he was there collecting more money than effective possessions. Adam Saad was disappointingly good last year although it still feels almost lucky when he actually hits a target.
I am not sure on the Carlton midfield, the very top level of talent is impressive, Cripps when his shoulders allow is able to carry the team, Cerra grew into the team last year and was a great pick up. Sam Walsh looked to be a world beater at times and other times felt a little like the K-Mart version of Bryce Gibbs. I think the depth is the challenge here, Hewett and Acres are ok, then there is Docherty who was good last year but they are a couple of key injuries from having to play youth.
The forward line has probably the best one-two punch in the competition, at least they would be if McKay could kick. Curnow is a beast and near on unstoppable when he gets going. The small forwards are average, Jack Martin got their hopes up last year but we all know he will disappear again. Motlop had been a non factor generally but they would love him to step up.
Tom De Koning staying last year was a surprise, they must have tapped into their Visy partnership to stock up on brown paper bags. He is an ok ruckman. Most of his career he has been barely good enough and last year he was slightly better than that. Crazy Vossy held onto his job and I think he may even have got an extension. He is still a crap coach with not much tactical nous but clever enough to let talented players do the things they are good at.
There is too much talent on their list to not play finals again, I don’t know if they are good enough to make a deep finals run but I live in fear that they are. They have quality in every area of the field (except the ruck) and they have multiple match winners. I think they will threaten top four this year and may even make it. Somewhere from 4-6 for mine.