NOTE: This piece contains some attempts at humour. I don't expect good reception for these attempts as I am naturally not a witty person. But do take much of what is said here with a grain of salt. This preview piece merely looks at my view of the club as a whole, where it currently sits and the 2019 season ahead. I make some predictions and even give my thoughts on a few of the players. Do feel free to share your own opinions and predictions in the comment section below, as they are very much encouraged.
Ladies and gentlemen, the new football season is fast approaching. Which means all us proud Carlton members and supporters are ever so close to being provided the annual wake up call. The one part of that cycle we should all be very well used to by now. All the excitement rushes through us as we set eyes on the refreshed blue boys, only to watch them under-perform, tire out, and even drop like flies after the first few rounds. Suddenly, we are wanting the season to end as we anticipate for further changes to the club's setup. Whether it be players, coaches or board members, we're all for it. Then it is back to square one, rinse and repeat. What? I'm a pessimist? But isn't that our usual way of thinking? To believe the sun will rise but be left disappointed by the ever-obstructing dark clouds within weeks. I'm confused. But one thing is for certain, success looks like a legend when one's a Carlton supporter around my age.
AFL today has seen Carlton build a reputation of being the ultimate laughing stock. The worst team of the modern era. The new Fitzroy or the twenty-first century St. Kilda, take a pick. A club with a huge following that is still somewhat dormant, and is likely to remain so for a little while longer. A club like an old abandoned house up in the hills of the countryside that was once a gathering place for many during the 1900's. A club where success happened whilst Egyptians built the pyramids. I'll admit that last one was me overdoing it a little, but we all get the idea. The blues have more often than not broken all the wrong records since being tainted by the salary cap scandal. They have gone through coaches faster than shoes and have made lower leagues look more professional on the field. Carlton today have long been the face of everything other football clubs wouldn't want to be. The history is gold but what we've been seeing nowadays is mould.
Not everything is doom and gloom though. We all should be grateful that the club is making improvements. A new, witty social media team. The connecting with the fanbase. The new facilities, new initiatives and the promotion of good causes. Basically anything that isn't associated with the word football, because obviously that is not by any means a priority at Carlton. Of course they can't show it, hence all the training pics and other mouth-watering photos of the new recruits in navy blue. But I'm sure the wealthy power brokers and other Carlton administrators with sinister grins on their faces are currently devising new secret plans to earn rewards without having to rely on a team of men playing footy on the field. The art of Aussie Rules means no... oh alright, I'm just jesting! I know there will be some brighter days ahead and I know Carlton holds some highly-talented prospects. It's just that I can't fathom how my beloved blues haven't done much damage since I've become 'completely aware' of the game back in 2008. We have one team winning three consecutive flags this decade and another appearing in the finals fifteen of the last sixteen seasons. Meanwhile, my club prefers blowing the dust off their history books and reminiscing the glory years. Argh, the agony is unbearable! WHEN WILL IT END?!!!
The 2019 season is just around the corner and seventeen teams are eager to prove they can make it all the way, while one is thinking about doing so in 2020. I mean, even though the whole point of participating in any AFL season is to compete and reach for the holy grail, the blues don't seem at all interested in such logic. Instead they enjoy the 'not this year, but maybe next year' mentality. One that us blues fans should very well be familiar with as it is the same one lingering around Ikon Park for most of this century so far. I mean it's led to a record all teams should be envious of. That being the worst win-loss record of any team in the AFL since 2001 (excluding the two new plastic additions to the league of course). Adding to this is a 24-year premiership drought and a 20-year grand final drought. Not even a preliminary final appearance after I could wipe the drool off my own chin. I can't see how jealousy doesn't arise from the rest of the competition. It's the record all would want to own.
Sure most of us are more likely to find a gold nugget or two in our backyard than Carlton looking to be a threat this year. However, does ruling one team out mean that team is not to try and prove otherwise? The blues themselves would probably rush in to shout yes, but take it from someone who long thought the 'avoiding punishment' strategy would without a doubt win the respect of every single person. A strategy that implies that finishing second last can be considered satisfactory. It's a good thing I rethought the idea because if I were the coach adopting such a strategy, I would've well and truly been sacked by now. All the boys need to be taught to 'chase reward'. To accept nothing but first place and believe the feat is possible throughout the entire season. It will encourage them to work harder and get more out of themselves. After all, harder effort leads to greater reward. If this is taught, it will look as if the blues are trying. More people will respect them and they just might happen to exceed expectations. And I will add that there is no such thing as 'overachieving'. It's just a cop out by the media to avoid giving credit where credit is due. Carlton need to simply go hard at it.
Carlton Football Club could just about not be classified as a football club at the moment. Maybe a hospital ward seems more accurate. Even with the highly-respected Andrew Russell, the team always manages to find a way to avoid looking better than before. A quarter of the list is in rehab and it's like many more are wanting to join it. Everybody is breaking a bone and sitting themselves out for two months. It's happening at training and even outside the club. It's getting to the point where one will sneeze and likely break their neck in the process (this does happen). At this rate, the blues would be lucky to find 22 fit players for round one. Never thought Carlton would own that many glass ornaments. Perhaps it's a curse of some sort right now. Did Mark LoGiudice run over somebody's cat on the way to his office? Whatever it is, it seems like one is more prone to injuries when they're hanging around Ikon Park. Somebody better hurry and tell Michael Gibbons to be careful. There's every chance he might break a bone in his wrist just signing that contract.
Of course there is guaranteed to be a moment when things don't look so bad. It's just a matter of when that will be and how the club will react when it comes around. Will they be consumed by the excitement like they have before and not bother with making the necessary adjustments? Or will some sense be knocked into them, and lead them to doing anything they can (so long as it is sensible) to achieve ultimate glory? The truth remains that Carlton are pigs in the mud. They don't seem at all bothered with creating new history right now compared to celebrating the stuff from decades ago. Their mind has been everywhere but on the field, and fans are reasonably becoming more restless as the years go by. 2018 is something that must not ever be replicated again, as it will only send us the idea that Carlton doesn't care. They've lost Friday nights, have already sacrificed hundreds and thousands of dollars and the coach is on very thin ice. I don't believe people are wanting for another rebuild to happen. There aren't any excuses for this year. Jokes aside, 2019 is the season for action.
Sure most of us are more likely to find a gold nugget or two in our backyard than Carlton looking to be a threat this year. However, does ruling one team out mean that team is not to try and prove otherwise? The blues themselves would probably rush in to shout yes, but take it from someone who long thought the 'avoiding punishment' strategy would without a doubt win the respect of every single person. A strategy that implies that finishing second last can be considered satisfactory. It's a good thing I rethought the idea because if I were the coach adopting such a strategy, I would've well and truly been sacked by now. All the boys need to be taught to 'chase reward'. To accept nothing but first place and believe the feat is possible throughout the entire season. It will encourage them to work harder and get more out of themselves. After all, harder effort leads to greater reward. If this is taught, it will look as if the blues are trying. More people will respect them and they just might happen to exceed expectations. And I will add that there is no such thing as 'overachieving'. It's just a cop out by the media to avoid giving credit where credit is due. Carlton need to simply go hard at it.
Carlton Football Club could just about not be classified as a football club at the moment. Maybe a hospital ward seems more accurate. Even with the highly-respected Andrew Russell, the team always manages to find a way to avoid looking better than before. A quarter of the list is in rehab and it's like many more are wanting to join it. Everybody is breaking a bone and sitting themselves out for two months. It's happening at training and even outside the club. It's getting to the point where one will sneeze and likely break their neck in the process (this does happen). At this rate, the blues would be lucky to find 22 fit players for round one. Never thought Carlton would own that many glass ornaments. Perhaps it's a curse of some sort right now. Did Mark LoGiudice run over somebody's cat on the way to his office? Whatever it is, it seems like one is more prone to injuries when they're hanging around Ikon Park. Somebody better hurry and tell Michael Gibbons to be careful. There's every chance he might break a bone in his wrist just signing that contract.
Of course there is guaranteed to be a moment when things don't look so bad. It's just a matter of when that will be and how the club will react when it comes around. Will they be consumed by the excitement like they have before and not bother with making the necessary adjustments? Or will some sense be knocked into them, and lead them to doing anything they can (so long as it is sensible) to achieve ultimate glory? The truth remains that Carlton are pigs in the mud. They don't seem at all bothered with creating new history right now compared to celebrating the stuff from decades ago. Their mind has been everywhere but on the field, and fans are reasonably becoming more restless as the years go by. 2018 is something that must not ever be replicated again, as it will only send us the idea that Carlton doesn't care. They've lost Friday nights, have already sacrificed hundreds and thousands of dollars and the coach is on very thin ice. I don't believe people are wanting for another rebuild to happen. There aren't any excuses for this year. Jokes aside, 2019 is the season for action.
MY BEST 22
FULL BACK: Nic Newman - Lachie Plowman - Jacob Weitering
HALF BACK: Dale Thomas - Caleb Marchbank - Kade Simpson
CENTRE: Lochie O'Brien - Paddy Dow - Sam Walsh
HALF FORWARD: Mitch McGovern - Charlie Curnow - Zac Fisher
FULL FORWARD: Sam Petrevski-Seton - Harry McKay - Marc Murphy
RUCK & ROVERS: Matthew Kreuzer - Patrick Cripps - Ed Curnow
INTERCHANGE BENCH
Matthew Kennedy - Will Setterfield - Liam Jones - Michael Gibbons
EMERGENCIES
Darcy Lang - Tom Williamson - Matthew Lobbe - Alex Fasolo
1. I do not however see this being the round one side though, since Caleb Marchbank, Mitch McGovern and Will Setterfield all have a cloud over them.
2. Unlikely to see Michael Gibbons straight away (that's even if he signs with the club, which should pretty much be a certainty). But I do believe he will be somebody very helpful for us.
3. Don't see what most see in Tom Williamson as of now due to his ongoing back-issues, but I do look forward to seeing more of him and my view may easily change.
4. I expect to see Marc Murphy pushed up forward a lot more.
5. Here's hoping we can begin moving away from Matthew Kreuzer and Matthew Lobbe soon. Would really like to see Tom De Koning step forward a little this year.
6. Centre line is extremely young, but there will be a lot of rotating.
7. There are a lot of players that can play in the midfield here and that is a good thing. Flexibility and versatility are key in my opinion. Many players need to have more roles than one.
8. Can't forget to mention how excited I am to see Charlie Curnow, Mitch McGovern and Harry McKay all play in the same side. But also have to consider the team needing to deliver fast and efficiently to them for much of the excitement to be worth it.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Matthew Kennedy
There is some unfair judgement going around when it comes to this kid. A lot of kicking whilst his down. He may have not left me genuinely excited after the 2018 season, but I well and truly new he was never given the chance. Especially after the troublesome ankle sustained in the season opener last year. He has been in and out of the side, and if I recall was one of the six or seven players to have been pushed back on to the field sooner than necessary. This led to his stint on the sidelines being extended. Matthew Kennedy was brought in to be the inside assistance for Patrick Cripps. While it didn't all go to plan in his first year at the club, I wouldn't be quick to put a cross next to his name. I still classify Matt as potential. A player that is still yet to show his best. And I believe this can be the year when he shows glimpses of that. The midfield is still a work in progress after all, so he will have plenty of opportunity to show that he can be right man to help carry some of the weight off Cripps (so long as he doesn't struggle with injuries like last year of course).
Nic Newman
With Sam Docherty out for another year, Carlton are once again left to prove that his absence will not be too problematic. I tend to believe that most of the solution lies with this young man. As soon as I came across the speculation, I was all for it. As a matter of fact, I was starting to see Carlton's biggest strength over the past few years fast become the biggest weakness. The rebound stocks were taking a hit especially after Ciaran Byrne retiring and losing Docherty for the second time. I just didn't want to see the heavy reliance on the ageing veterans (Kade Simpson and Dale Thomas). And I couldn't cope with the blues throwing their money towards another small group of ineffective list-cloggers. So when the name Nic Newman came up, I breathed a small sigh of relief. This guy had a great 2017 season, and I thought that level of performance (or close to it) was very much what we require. Sure he might not be as quick on his feet, but he fills the middle-age bracket and will be there to allow the even younger crop more time and space to take the next step in their careers. Plus this man thinks very well. He knows there is no replacing and that all the backline has a part to play to prove that there'll be no added pressure from the loss of Docherty.
Sam Walsh
This seems like an obvious one given he was taken with the first pick and was considered by most the best of the 2018 draft crop. But believe it or not, these are not the reasons why I have Sam Walsh named as a player to keep eyes on. Unlike many of Carlton's top picks over the past few years, Walsh has this attractive aura that surrounds him. He appears to me as one of the most eager and ready-made draftees to step in the doors of Ikon Park. Judging from the clips of him in the U18's, he looks so poised and at times, extremely lethal. And to top it off, he would have a wise head on his shoulders. I always said that it was either Sam Walsh or Dylan Shiel we had to pick up over the off-season. And since Shiel gave his heart to Essendon, it was Walsh I was most desperate for Carlton to obtain. This is a player we just simply could not ignore. He will take some time to really get going, as he like all draftees is making the transition to professional footy. But Walsh is guaranteed to impress in some shape of form and I know for a fact it will be this year he does so.
PLAYERS UNDER THE PUMP
Levi Casboult
With the hype surrounding the potential of the new trio (e.g. Charlie Curnow, Mitch McGovern and Harry McKay), it all but leaves people knowing that we have moved on from our reliance on Levi Casboult up forward. He has been our main target up forward for the past four years, and has failed to meet the expectations laid upon him. Casboult has the extraordinary ability to take a strong mark in many of the toughest contests. But he is often known for his questionable set-shot kicking. But after that was addressed successfully by Saverio Rocca, he would later find himself with new problems. Not only would he struggle to keep on the park, but he would be unable to make his presence felt whenever he played. Casboult only kicked 12 goals in his 10 matches last year and has been hanging by a thread on one-year contracts. He was even place on the trade table, with nobody interested in his services. One can tell that Levi is a step closer out the door. That is unless, he can pull off the biggest and most unlikely of comebacks.
David Cuningham
I've been an avid supporter of David Cuningham throughout the years, maintaining the belief that he would find a permanent spot in the main team. But his body has more often than not let him down. He has a brilliant burst of speed and can find the big sticks on the run. However, he has trouble delivering this on a consistent basis. And now with many more kids having come in since and shown more promise, it has seen Cuningham fast pushed to the back of the line. I personally still hold onto hope that he could surprise all of us this year as it still feels like we haven't seen enough of him to make a proper judgement. However, his chances are beginning to fade away. If he continues to battle injury, there will come a point where Brendan Bolton and the other coaches will lose their patience. If I were in that position, I'd be thinking the same way. I certainly don't want to see this happen, but it can become the cold hard truth. One can only have so much time to prove they are both fit and worthy enough for a place moving forward. Come on Cunners! I'm backing you all the way.
Jack Silvagni
The Silvagni name is one that will forever be relished among Carlton fans everywhere and never will it be ruined. But the expectations laid upon Jack have been somewhat unfair, given the club's recent strategies. I am one of plenty who still thinks that the eldest of Stephen's children can deliver something of good value to the blues. And especially with the heart having always lied with Carlton, one can tell that he'd do anything to help push the club to bigger and better things. Jack Silvagni though, does have some noticeable limitations. One of them I do kind of see, is his preference to wait for the receive rather than chase for the hard ball when the delivery isn't great. And another which I did manage to pick up in the last game of the season against Adelaide last year, was his hesitance to apply pressure when necessary. I just saw him simply stop and allow Elliot Himmelberg to run towards the big sticks and slot one on the outside of his boot. It told me that Jack just doesn't want to get his hands dirty. Effort is key in most situations, and players will (and should) be commended more for trying. But an example such as this shows Jack doesn't try hard enough. It's why people see through the 'poster boy' side of him. If he doesn't fix this, his dream will undoubtedly reach the end sooner than he wishes. No good soul wants that.
MILESTONES
Marc Murphy
250 Games for Carlton (Round 1)
If fit for round one, Murphy will be playing his 250th game for the Carlton Football Club. Murph has copped a lot of flak over his career, especially when he took over the captaincy from Chris Judd ahead of the 2013 season. But when I take one look at this man, I don't see what others do. Although he might not seem as vocal as most others, I don't see him as 'soft' or 'pea-hearted'. If anything, it's quite the opposite. We have to understand that he is human. He gets hurt. He bleeds. He has his good days and his bad days. Most importantly, he has a family (a wife in Jessie and a baby boy named Max). I find any criticism towards him nothing but one bolstering their own ego. We instead should be thanking Murphy for helping to carry a club during a time the direction wasn't so clear. We should be commending him for the persistence and half-glass-full attitude he has carried going into each year. Like most mature-aged leaders, Murphy looks forward with both loyalty and great belief. Him being a number one pick means bugger all. He has given enough to be respected by us and we should all cheer him on come the season opener against the tigers.
Ed Curnow
150 Games for Carlton (Round 7)
Ed Curnow being one of the few players to last as long as he has on the playing list. I don't think any of us saw this happening. He has survived numerous culls, and for a pretty damn good reason. He is the epitome of guts and determination. What he lacks in skill, he makes up for in endeavour. This is why he is one of my favourite players to watch. That and he could arguably be the most underrated in the competition. To come from the rookie list is even a greater reward for the club. This is the sort of person that needs to be a leader for Carlton. To teach the young crop to not ever give up the footy dream if it fails the first time. To play like they've still got so much to give. Ed represents the idea that more effort leads to greater reward. He had to achieve footy the hard way. I couldn't think of a player on the list more deserving than Ed Curnow to reach a milestone like 150 games this year. He might be overshadowed by his younger brother Charlie when it comes to talent, but Ed still has the edge when it's about heart.
Dale Thomas
250 AFL Games (Round 12)
I will admit that I wasn't at all impressed with the acquisition of Dale Thomas. It took sacrificing the dangerous small forward in Eddie Betts (who would go on to have a more celebrated career with Adelaide) to have Mick Malthouse be reunited with one of his favourite students. One which at the time was far from fit and since has been unable to replicate his form during his early years playing for the arch-rival. But as the years passed, I saw the wise man behind the larrikin. Daisy knew where he sat in Carlton's plans and made himself all about the footy come the back-end of his controversial contract. The more recent seasons has seen him focus on his performances on the field and his hunger to contribute. And we can tell he hasn't been lying, with his performances having improved by the year since arriving at the blues. Some might remain unswayed by him, but I'm most definitely not one of them. I hope he reaches the milestone as soon as possible. I even hope he reaches the '100 Games for Carlton' milestone later in the year. He's earned it.
Kade Simpson
Most Losses of any AFL Player (15th Loss)
This might not be classified as a milestone, but I just had to talk about it. People can call this an 'unwanted' record all they like. They can make jokes about it all they like. But that will only tell me how ignorant they are. Most rant on about how Shaun Burgoyne is the best veteran going around due to all the accolades and premierships over his time with both Port Adelaide and Hawthorn. But he should also have luck to thank for that. Sure, he helped build a dynasty at the Hawks (and should be respected for that) but he has had strong teammates and coaches as well. Kade hasn't had such luck. If anything, I'd be congratulating Simpson more than Burgoyne. Most would think it's my bias on show. But if Simmo were to have the same record for any other team, I'd be thinking no differently from now. Kade has had many opportunities to call it quits. He's even had many opportunities to seek a trade and chase for success. But he hasn't. He signed on for a 17th season at the blues, all while still believing finals are within reach. That might not be as good as the silverware, but it's pretty damn close to it. It is proof that Simpson deserves all the respect he receives. He doesn't take shortcuts. He accepts things as they are and keeps his chin up. If that isn't resilience, then I don't know what is. Worst 300-game player my arse! I'd be having him close to the best. Probably better than most of the Carlton players from the glory years. The numbers mean nothing to me.
Other milestones include:
- Matthew Lobbe (100 AFL Games)
- Patrick Cripps (100 Games for Carlton)
- Mitch McGovern (50 AFL Games)
- Charlie Curnow (50 Games for Carlton)
- Liam Jones (50 Games for Carlton)
- Jack Silvagni (50 Games for Carlton)
- Sam Petrevski-Seton (50 Games for Carlton)
- Andrew Phillips (50 AFL Games)
- Caleb Marchbank (50 AFL Games)
- Zac Fisher (50 Games for Carlton)
- Nic Newman (50 AFL Games)
- Matthew Kennedy (50 AFL Games)
BEST AND FAIREST
Patrick Cripps
Right now, I can throw almost everything on this happening again. Cripps is just a contested beast, and one of the best I've seen in my lifetime. Not only that, he has outstanding peripheral vision, and is able to make the right decisions most times the ball is in his hands. Of course he isn't entirely perfect. His set-shot kicking has raise some eyebrows over the past couple of seasons. And his not-so-good performances can often be excused with all the weight placed on his shoulders. But to do what he does in the face of so much misery is and will forever remain admirable. I mean he finished fourth in the Brownlow medal count and was a lock for the 2018 All-Australian team, coming from one of the worst performing sides in footy history. If one doesn't give him credit for this, then they are not worth the time. Just imagine what he could do when the support is there and the wins come in. The Brownlow medal could easily be a walk in the park for him. So long as he isn't hampered by any injuries, it's a near-certainty that he will gobble up most of the accolades again in 2019.
WHERE WILL THEY FINISH?
ROUND 1 - Carlton (v) Richmond (Thursday 21 March, MCG) LOSS (38 points)
ROUND 2 - Port Adelaide (v) Carlton (Saturday 30 March, AO) LOSS (62 points)
ROUND 3 - Carlton (v) Sydney Swans (Saturday 6 April, M) WIN (23 points)
ROUND 4 - Gold Coast Suns (v) Carlton (Sunday 14 April, MS) WIN (11 points)
ROUND 5 - Western Bulldogs (v) Carlton (Sunday 21 April, M) LOSS (42 points)
ROUND 6 - Hawthorn (v) Carlton (Sunday 28 April, UTS) LOSS (21 points)
ROUND 7 - Carlton (v) North Melbourne (Sunday 5 May, M) WIN (5 points)
ROUND 8 - Carlton (v) Collingwood (Saturday 11 May, MCG) LOSS (16 points)
ROUND 9 - GWS Giants (v) Carlton (Sunday 19 May, SS) LOSS (36 points)
ROUND 10 - St. Kilda (v) Carlton (Sunday 26 May, M) LOSS (52 points)
ROUND 11 - Essendon (v) Carlton (Sunday 2 June, MCG) LOSS (14 points)
ROUND 12 - Carlton (v) Brisbane Lions (Saturday 8 June, M) LOSS (28 points)
ROUND 13 - Carlton (v) Western Bulldogs (Saturday 15 June, M) LOSS (27 points)
ROUND 14 - BYE
ROUND 15 - Fremantle (v) Carlton (Sunday 30 June, OS) LOSS (89 points)
ROUND 16 - Carlton (v) Melbourne (Sunday 7 July, MCG) LOSS (72 points)
ROUND 17 - Sydney (v) Carlton (Saturday 13 July, SCG) LOSS (55 points)
ROUND 18 - Carlton (v) Gold Coast Suns (Saturday 20 July, M) WIN (35 points)
ROUND 19 - Carlton (v) Adelaide Crows (Saturday 27 July, MCG) LOSS (60 points)
ROUND 20 - Carlton (v) West Coast Eagles (Sunday 4 August, M) LOSS (24 points)
ROUND 21 - Richmond (v) Carlton (Sunday 11 August, MCG) LOSS (13 points)
ROUND 22 - Carlton (v) St. Kilda (Saturday 17 August, MCG) WIN (2 points)
ROUND 23 - Geelong Cats (v) Carlton (Saturday 24 August, GMHBA) LOSS (110 points)
17th (5 wins and around 67%)
I don't see there being any close losses this year. Whenever Carlton will lose, they will lose convincingly. Though I do believe they will be competitive for most quarters in more than half of the matches. Most years, Carlton has a dark patch of games in consecutive weeks. The way I see it, that won't change much. I'm predicting they'll come right after the bye. There are obviously going to be some upsets, and I'm expecting them to be against Sydney and North Melbourne during the first half of the season. As much as people think a win against Essendon is becoming an annual thing, I see the bombers changing that this year with a victory that will seem like it's overdue (though my heart will be hoping this isn't the case). There will also be matches where Carlton truly disappoints the fans again. They'll come in against Fremantle after the bye and Geelong at the end of the season (where I'm expecting the blues to take their foot off the pedal). The results might seem alarming here and they could likely encourage calls for Brendan Bolton to be sacked. But I stand firmly by the idea that the club will continue to not budge. It's a small improvement anyway in terms of development and win-loss ratio.
OTHER PREDICTIONS
These are merely predictions of my own and I don't expect most of them to be right. As a matter of fact, I don't expect any of them to be right. But I thought I'd make myself a challenge. I also tried to be sensible while forming these predictions.
1. Carlton will score 100+ points only once this year. I have a feeling it will be against the round eighteen match against the Suns (102 - 67).
2. Mitch McGovern, Nic Newman and Sam Walsh to be only Carlton debutants for season opener.
3. I'm predicting two rising star nominations: Sam Walsh will be nominated within the first seven rounds and Will Setterfield much later in the season.
4. Charlie Curnow will once again kick our most goals and I believe he will reach just over 40.
5. Liam Stocker to debut round eight against Collingwood at the MCG.
6. Matthew Kennedy to kick the match winner against St. Kilda in round twenty-two.
7. Lowest score kicked is 32 against Fremantle straight after the bye.
8. Patrick Cripps to poll three Brownlow votes in seven matches.
9. Hugh Goddard to play a total of five matches for Carlton.
10. This one is a bit of a stretch, but I reckon brothers Ben and Jack Silvagni will play in the same Carlton side at least once in the back end of the season.
FINAL WORDS
Oh Carlton! Where do I begin? A club with such a proud history. Sixteen flags and some of the greatest names to ever set a foot on the park, having worn your iconic monogram (one of the few reasons why I chose to support the blues from a very young age). I do envy such achievements. But I ask you how much longer must I do so? You're honouring the past as you say, but little do you remember you have been doing the same thing for quite a while now. How about creating some new history? And by new history, I don't mean 2018. Like everyone else, years of my life are being wasted away on misery, endless torture and ridicule from others. And all I'm told is to be patient. I shouldn't have to pay for the sins of the arrogant bunch. I've long put my faith in you in the best way I could. All I'm asking is from you is to return the favour. At least one flag in the future. If not, at least a step away from it. No more adding to your spoon collection. If there is a God or ray of light, I simply ask them to have my time of witnessing glory. I promise to treat it with care and not rub it in the face of others. I'm a sensible person.
ROUND 6 - Hawthorn (v) Carlton (Sunday 28 April, UTS) LOSS (21 points)
ROUND 7 - Carlton (v) North Melbourne (Sunday 5 May, M) WIN (5 points)
ROUND 8 - Carlton (v) Collingwood (Saturday 11 May, MCG) LOSS (16 points)
ROUND 9 - GWS Giants (v) Carlton (Sunday 19 May, SS) LOSS (36 points)
ROUND 10 - St. Kilda (v) Carlton (Sunday 26 May, M) LOSS (52 points)
ROUND 11 - Essendon (v) Carlton (Sunday 2 June, MCG) LOSS (14 points)
ROUND 12 - Carlton (v) Brisbane Lions (Saturday 8 June, M) LOSS (28 points)
ROUND 13 - Carlton (v) Western Bulldogs (Saturday 15 June, M) LOSS (27 points)
ROUND 14 - BYE
ROUND 15 - Fremantle (v) Carlton (Sunday 30 June, OS) LOSS (89 points)
ROUND 16 - Carlton (v) Melbourne (Sunday 7 July, MCG) LOSS (72 points)
ROUND 17 - Sydney (v) Carlton (Saturday 13 July, SCG) LOSS (55 points)
ROUND 18 - Carlton (v) Gold Coast Suns (Saturday 20 July, M) WIN (35 points)
ROUND 19 - Carlton (v) Adelaide Crows (Saturday 27 July, MCG) LOSS (60 points)
ROUND 20 - Carlton (v) West Coast Eagles (Sunday 4 August, M) LOSS (24 points)
ROUND 21 - Richmond (v) Carlton (Sunday 11 August, MCG) LOSS (13 points)
ROUND 22 - Carlton (v) St. Kilda (Saturday 17 August, MCG) WIN (2 points)
ROUND 23 - Geelong Cats (v) Carlton (Saturday 24 August, GMHBA) LOSS (110 points)
17th (5 wins and around 67%)
I don't see there being any close losses this year. Whenever Carlton will lose, they will lose convincingly. Though I do believe they will be competitive for most quarters in more than half of the matches. Most years, Carlton has a dark patch of games in consecutive weeks. The way I see it, that won't change much. I'm predicting they'll come right after the bye. There are obviously going to be some upsets, and I'm expecting them to be against Sydney and North Melbourne during the first half of the season. As much as people think a win against Essendon is becoming an annual thing, I see the bombers changing that this year with a victory that will seem like it's overdue (though my heart will be hoping this isn't the case). There will also be matches where Carlton truly disappoints the fans again. They'll come in against Fremantle after the bye and Geelong at the end of the season (where I'm expecting the blues to take their foot off the pedal). The results might seem alarming here and they could likely encourage calls for Brendan Bolton to be sacked. But I stand firmly by the idea that the club will continue to not budge. It's a small improvement anyway in terms of development and win-loss ratio.
OTHER PREDICTIONS
These are merely predictions of my own and I don't expect most of them to be right. As a matter of fact, I don't expect any of them to be right. But I thought I'd make myself a challenge. I also tried to be sensible while forming these predictions.
1. Carlton will score 100+ points only once this year. I have a feeling it will be against the round eighteen match against the Suns (102 - 67).
2. Mitch McGovern, Nic Newman and Sam Walsh to be only Carlton debutants for season opener.
3. I'm predicting two rising star nominations: Sam Walsh will be nominated within the first seven rounds and Will Setterfield much later in the season.
4. Charlie Curnow will once again kick our most goals and I believe he will reach just over 40.
5. Liam Stocker to debut round eight against Collingwood at the MCG.
6. Matthew Kennedy to kick the match winner against St. Kilda in round twenty-two.
7. Lowest score kicked is 32 against Fremantle straight after the bye.
8. Patrick Cripps to poll three Brownlow votes in seven matches.
9. Hugh Goddard to play a total of five matches for Carlton.
10. This one is a bit of a stretch, but I reckon brothers Ben and Jack Silvagni will play in the same Carlton side at least once in the back end of the season.
FINAL WORDS
Oh Carlton! Where do I begin? A club with such a proud history. Sixteen flags and some of the greatest names to ever set a foot on the park, having worn your iconic monogram (one of the few reasons why I chose to support the blues from a very young age). I do envy such achievements. But I ask you how much longer must I do so? You're honouring the past as you say, but little do you remember you have been doing the same thing for quite a while now. How about creating some new history? And by new history, I don't mean 2018. Like everyone else, years of my life are being wasted away on misery, endless torture and ridicule from others. And all I'm told is to be patient. I shouldn't have to pay for the sins of the arrogant bunch. I've long put my faith in you in the best way I could. All I'm asking is from you is to return the favour. At least one flag in the future. If not, at least a step away from it. No more adding to your spoon collection. If there is a God or ray of light, I simply ask them to have my time of witnessing glory. I promise to treat it with care and not rub it in the face of others. I'm a sensible person.
Travis "TJ" James
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