Opinion Has this Carlton list already peaked?

[Mr Meow]

My 'case' will be based around how the upcoming draft period and the 2026 season goes. I won't be prematurely stating whether we're destined to rise or fall until I see them both unfold as I think it could go either way rather quickly depending on how the year plays out.

Regarding the draft, an early Dean bid could be the difference between picking up another quality kid like Josh Lindsay or Latrelle Pickett, two players I think would have an early impact for our list. A later bid would allow us that extra throw at the stumps and also to acquire Ison without issue which would be invaluable going forward.

Then in regards to 2026, I think if the season goes well we'd be right in the market to use the draft capital and salary space we got this year on a top end recruit who fits a need like Butters, Bailey, Humphrey etc. We'll certainly have the cap space and draft picks to get a deal done if we presented as an attractive destination to them.

The key would be going well enough that external opinion shifted that we're a team on the rebound rather than a team destined to rebuild again. That as well as picking up a potentially generational talent in Walker would be a huge haul for the season and could greatly impact our chances of 'success' from 2027-2030 while Weitering, McKay, Walsh and Cripps still have some quality years left in them.

On the other hand, if things go poorly, Walsh may bugger off along with others just as we saw with TDK and Curnow this year... We plummet to the bottom of the ladder to undertake another full rebuild with Voss sacked and more turmoil surrounding the club.

I'll wait and see how 2026 goes first and what happens with the proposed F/S and DVI changes etc before casting judgment.

A lot of this explanation still fits contending for a flag around 2030 more than 2027 though.

The crucial difference you have is Carlton "might" have a strong 2026 and then build with some elite 2026 free agents. In my 2030 scenario, this isn't happening. Of course I could be wrong and Carlton have a brilliant 2026, but this is what I'm basing my initial contending comment on (and whether Carlton currently have the pieces to contend).

The pieces they need IMO are the 2026-2028 draftees + Jagga with 50ish+ games under their belt, a new coach and 2-3 years to develop his game plan, and some free agents/trade ins when some of the above things are close to getting ticked off.

If Carlton finish 5th and pick up Butters + Humphrey next season of course I'd shift my opinion a bit.

 

[WalshistheGOAT]

A lot of this explanation still fits contending for a flag around 2030 more than 2027 though.

The crucial difference you have is Carlton "might" have a strong 2026 and then build with some elite 2026 free agents. In my 2030 scenario, this isn't happening. Of course I could be wrong and Carlton have a brilliant 2026, but this is what I'm basing my initial contending comment on (and whether Carlton currently have the pieces to contend).

The pieces they need IMO are the 2026-2028 draftees + Jagga with 50ish+ games under their belt, a new coach and 2-3 years to develop his game plan, and some free agents/trade ins when some of the above things are close to getting ticked off.

If Carlton finish 5th and pick up Butters + Humphrey next season of course I'd shift my opinion a bit.

 

[CarmenSandiego]

Your memory must be fading with old age Fudger... We were getting articles like this before his 18s season had even began.

Could Nick Daicos make Pies' senior team NOW? Bucks' surprise answer

Son of a legend Nick Daicos has already made a strong impression on Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley

www.afl.com.au

then whatever hype there was was downplayed due to not playing in his u/18 year, and he was still touted as a potential #1 pick.

farq me, in one thread fadge is trying to claim he's not only generational, but on track to be the greatest of every generation. in this thread, daicos wasn't even a highly rated junior.

you couldn't make this shit up, seriously.

 

[CarmenSandiego]

A lot of this explanation still fits contending for a flag around 2030 more than 2027 though.

The crucial difference you have is Carlton "might" have a strong 2026 and then build with some elite 2026 free agents. In my 2030 scenario, this isn't happening. Of course I could be wrong and Carlton have a brilliant 2026, but this is what I'm basing my initial contending comment on (and whether Carlton currently have the pieces to contend).

The pieces they need IMO are the 2026-2028 draftees + Jagga with 50ish+ games under their belt, a new coach and 2-3 years to develop his game plan, and some free agents/trade ins when some of the above things are close to getting ticked off.

If Carlton finish 5th and pick up Butters + Humphrey next season of course I'd shift my opinion a bit.

2030 is fair.

no fan wants to hear their club is 5+ years away from contending.

we will have lost a few by then is the only concern, however hopefully gained some too.

 

[Robertio]

A lot of this explanation still fits contending for a flag around 2030 more than 2027 though.

The crucial difference you have is Carlton "might" have a strong 2026 and then build with some elite 2026 free agents. In my 2030 scenario, this isn't happening. Of course I could be wrong and Carlton have a brilliant 2026, but this is what I'm basing my initial contending comment on (and whether Carlton currently have the pieces to contend).

The pieces they need IMO are the 2026-2028 draftees + Jagga with 50ish+ games under their belt, a new coach and 2-3 years to develop his game plan, and some free agents/trade ins when some of the above things are close to getting ticked off.

If Carlton finish 5th and pick up Butters + Humphrey next season of course I'd shift my opinion a bit.

I doubt we have the picks for Humphrey next season,

 

[CarmenSandiego]

You Bloosers really need to get to those remedial English lessons...

Are you seriously going to flood the entire main board with this pathetic boomer banter?

Go away, absolute pest.

 

[rdhopkins2]

It can’t get any worse unless they recruit Wazza Tredrea as forwards coach.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

Then I pray for Sam's sake that it won't be to your s*** sorry mob.

What has your sad excuse for a football club done in the last 30 years to deserve lording it over Saints?

5 x no.1 picks.
16 x top 10 picks.
26 x R1 picks.

Since 2000.

And 0 GFs to show for it.
You know what company that has you in?? GCS (est 2011) and NM.

Humble yourself.
In today's footy, you're not the powerhouse you think you are.

 

[WalshistheGOAT]

What has your sad excuse for a football club done in the last 30 years to deserve lording it over Saints?

5 x no.1 picks.
16 x top 10 picks.
26 x R1 picks.

Since 2000.

And 0 GFs to show for it.
You know what company that has you in?? GCS (est 2011) and NM.

Humble yourself.
In today's footy, you're not the powerhouse you think you are.

'Sad excuse for a football club' that has more flags and more members than your corrupt stain of a mob despite the endless advantages you've been afforded.

Done cheating this year and barely even got a slap on the wrist from the corrupt Geelong higher ups running AFL house these days.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

'Sad excuse for a football club' that has more flags and more members than your corrupt stain of a mob despite the endless advantages you've been afforded.

Done cheating this year and barely even got a slap on the wrist from the corrupt Geelong higher ups running AFL house these days.

Yes........ Because playing fairly within the cap is a game Carlton fans should want to play...
That self awareness bro. Jeezus.

And going at my club for putting you in your place for a misplaced sense of superiority is truly your finest hour

P.S. We got done for small time admin errors, just like the premiers were a decade ago... and the Dogs before them. Storm in a teacup stuff really.

 

[WalshistheGOAT]

Yes........ Because playing fairly within the cap is a game Carlton fans should want to play...
That self awareness bro. Jeezus.

And going at my club for putting you in your place for a misplaced sense of superiority is truly your finest hour

P.S. We got done for small time admin errors, just like the premiers were a decade ago... and the Dogs before them. Storm in a teacup stuff really.

Carlton fans would like everyone to play fairly within the cap or at least face the same repercussions as we did for cheating the salary cap. We were fined millions, stripped of draft picks and frankly it set us back decades.

Geelong on the other hand get caught cheating the same way and practically walked away scot-free. Corruption plain and simple.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

Carlton fans would like everyone to play fairly within the cap or at least face the same repercussions as we did for cheating the salary cap. We were fined millions, stripped of draft picks and frankly it set us back decades.

Geelong on the other hand get caught cheating the same way and practically walked away scot-free. Corruption plain and simple.

Not the same way though. there's the difference.

Ralph and Caro all year were at pains to make it clear there was no suggestion of salary cap cheating or that were over the cap. Merely sloppiness with reporting.

And we wouldn't be having this conversation if you had some respect for St.K as a club. A club you rubbish but two of your players would rather play there. If your assessment of ST.K is true then what's that say about your club??

 

[WalshistheGOAT]

Not the same way though. there's the difference.

Ralph and Caro all year were at pains to make it clear there was no suggestion of salary cap cheating or that were over the cap. Merely sloppiness with reporting.

And we wouldn't be having this conversation if you had some respect for St.K as a club. A club you rubbish but two of your players would rather play there. If your assessment of ST.K is true then what's that say about your club??

You breached the salary cap rules. That's a fact.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

You breached the salary cap rules. That's a fact.

You have no business looking down on St.K.
Humble yourself.

 

[eastfreo75]

I doubt we have the picks for Humphrey next season,

2026 Blues 2nd
2027 Blues 1st and Swans 1st
2028 Blues 1st

That's a fair bit of trade assets.

 

[WalshistheGOAT]

You have no business looking down on St.K.
Humble yourself.

Since when did you become the arbiter around here?

You act like one of the biggest clowns on this site and then go around telling others to humble themselves

Geelong were almost as big of a rabble as St Kilda before you started cheating the system with the 'Costa Living Allowance' and free farmland rort. You're in no position to lecture anyone on anything.

 

[Robertio]

2026 Blues 2nd
2027 Blues 1st and Swans 1st
2028 Blues 1st

That's a fair bit of trade assets.

Both the 1st round picks in 26 will go for Walker i presume and the two 27 1st picks might not be enough so i think we'll go after a free agent instead.

 

[eastfreo75]

Both the 1st round picks in 26 will go for Walker i presume and the two 27 1st picks might not be enough so i think we'll go after a free agent instead.

Tasmania 2027 makes the two first picks less value but the 2028 has real value.

 

[Saints43]

Carlton fans would like everyone to play fairly within the cap or at least face the same repercussions as we did for cheating the salary cap. We were fined millions, stripped of draft picks and frankly it set us back decades.

Geelong on the other hand get caught cheating the same way and practically walked away scot-free. Corruption plain and simple.

This penalty set Carlton back decades? LOL.

• Draft picks No. 1, 2, 31 and 34 from the 2002 National Draft
• All draft picks in the 2003 Preseason Draft
• Its first and second round draft picks in the 2003 National Draft

Carlton later earned a priority draft pick for the 2003 Draft, which it was permitted to keep.

 

[Robertio]

Tasmania 2027 makes the two first picks less value but the 2028 has real value.

Yeah i hadn't thought we could use the 28 1st next year.

 

[WalshistheGOAT]

Both the 1st round picks in 26 will go for Walker i presume and the two 27 1st picks might not be enough so i think we'll go after a free agent instead.

It all depends on what the AFL do with the bid matching and DVI changes. If they keep the current system for another year we may be able to work a big name trade in as well as acquiring Walker. The Free Agency pool next year will be tough going as all the bigger names will likely be matched by their current clubs so would essentially be a trade target anyway.

Chandler, McInerney, Voss, Fritsch etc the next tier down but unlikely to be needle movers for us, just quality role players.

 

[Robertio]

This penalty set Carlton back decades? LOL.

• Draft picks No. 1, 2, 31 and 34 from the 2002 National Draft
• All draft picks in the 2003 Preseason Draft
• Its first and second round draft picks in the 2003 National Draft

Carlton later earned a priority draft pick for the 2003 Draft, which it was permitted to keep.

I think we were fined a million bucks as well.

 

[WalshistheGOAT]

This penalty set Carlton back decades? LOL.

• Draft picks No. 1, 2, 31 and 34 from the 2002 National Draft
• All draft picks in the 2003 Preseason Draft
• Its first and second round draft picks in the 2003 National Draft

Carlton later earned a priority draft pick for the 2003 Draft, which it was permitted to keep.

Yep, the controversy and chaos it caused left the club in a state of disaster and bereft of quality leadership for close to two decades.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

Since when did you become the arbiter around here?

You act like one of the biggest clowns on this site and then go around telling others to humble themselves

Geelong were almost as big of a rabble as St Kilda before you started cheating the system with the 'Costa Living Allowance' and free farmland rort. You're in no position to lecture anyone on anything.

Again making this about me or my club. Bizarre behaviour.
You were the one talking about Carlton's list. You were the one that decided to give the Saints a drive-by while doing so.

I merely called you out on it. You have nothing to lord over St.Kilda.
Nothing.

And to top it off, doing so by throwing out copious mistruths, overstated issues or flat out lies.
Pull your head in. You acted like a pork chop. Were called on it. Now have lost the plot.

 

[WalshistheGOAT]

Again making this about me or my club. Bizarre behaviour.
You were the one talking about Carlton's list. You were the one that decided to give the Saints a drive-by while doing so.

I merely called you out on it. You have nothing to lord over St.Kilda.
Nothing.

And to top it off, doing so by throwing out copious mistruths, overstated issues or flat out lies.
Pull your head in. You acted like a pork chop. Were called on it. Now have lost the plot.

Yeah... No thanks.

Go bother somebody else Costanza.