Preview 2026 Rd 3 Carlton vs Melbourne Sunday 29th March 3:15PM ADST @ MCG

[Aphrodite]

Final Team is in …

AFL team selection: Evans returns among two inclusions

Francis Evans returns for his first game of the season this Sunday.

www.carltonfc.com.au

 

[GoBlues!]

It will be tough, no easy games. Maybe we’ll make a few changes each week to rest and manage players in that 3 game block.

 

[ITCHY EYEBALLS]

Haynes and Newman in Iff ready. Who goes out .

If Haynes is back I’d throw Young fwd and park him in the goal square.He had shown (Bulldogs game last year) he can play that role ok. He can be 2nd ruck from there. Let Harry roam fwd 50 and beyond.
Fog needs to go out, I don’t care who for.

 

[ITCHY EYEBALLS]

Out - Fog, O Hollands
In - Newman, Haynes

 

[ITCHY EYEBALLS]

If the Dees and Roos results in round 1 weren't aberrations we will struggle to win either, could legit be bottom 3 with WC and Richmond

And St Kilda

 

[Red_man2008]

Out - Fog, O Hollands
In - Newman, Haynes

Forward and midfielder for two defenders. Where are we supposed to put all the tall backs. Who’s going to replace hollands’ defensive running and coverage. Newman is handy but he doesn’t get up the ground.

 

[Cringle]

Prefer Young as the second ruck at this stage over O’Keeffe or Reidy.

Both looked off their feet in the little game time they did play in their respective games.

McKay, Young, Kemp & McGovern forward would be fine.

The latter two aren’t really KPFs.

 

[Blue_Fusion]

We really have a poor one paced midfield with below average ruck support. We don't have one winger who can hit targets more often than not, Jagga is our only pod mid and he's playing his 3rd game.

Jack Steele

9

Jack Steele

Age

30

Ht

187cm

Wt

90kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

20.9

5star

K

8.7

3star

HB

12.2

5star

M

3.7

4star

T

6.8

5star

CL

3.6

5star

D

21.3

5star

K

10.0

4star

HB

11.3

5star

M

4.0

4star

T

5.8

5star

CL

4.6

5star

D

16.8

4star

K

5.0

2star

HB

11.8

5star

M

2.6

3star

T

6.4

5star

CL

3.6

5star

usually does a job on Cripps too...

Walsh is going to have to be at his best for us to have any hope. Hewett is going to have to be better too. Oh and would it be too much to ask for Harry to actually play like a 200cm kpf?

I sort of pencilled this one in as a win going into the season... now I'm not confident at all...

 

[JustOneTime]

It's only round 3 but it sort of seems better to have the bye for our club. We know the shit storm that is coming. The club took their late game fadeouts of 2025 and then honed the fadeouts part over the pre-season. Voss couldnt have overtrained it better.

As a supporter, I'm backing Carlton for sure but only with line bets up to the end of Q2. Money in the bag.

 

[teagueyubeauty]

At least we don't lose this weekend, that's something right.

The haters are hating that

 

[teddy-hopkins]

You obviously didn't see Tofau carve up Derksen in the 2s

I didn't see the game but I heard Derksen played well?

 

[JustOneTime]

We really have a poor one paced midfield with below average ruck support. We don't have one winger who can hit targets more often than not, Jagga is our only pod mid and he's playing his 3rd game.

Jack Steele usually does a job on Cripps too...

Walsh is going to have to be at his best for us to have any hope. Hewett is going to have to be better too. Oh and would it be too much to ask for Harry to actually play like a 200cm kpf?

I sort of pencilled this one in as a win going into the season... now I'm not confident at all...

We get them after a tough roadtrip. Surely we are a chance.

 

[Blue_Fusion]

We get them after a tough roadtrip. Surely we are a chance.

Of course we're a chance... I didn't say we aren't... just that I'm not confident.

Hoping the second half fade outs are going to be sorted over the bye is wishful thinking to put it kindly...

 

[JustOneTime]

Of course we're a chance... I didn't say we aren't... just that I'm not confident.

Hoping the second half fade outs are going to be sorted over the bye is wishful thinking to put it kindly...

Fair shout Blue. Everything you said is right in your post. I just wanted to say it is a perfect opportunity for us to sniper them.

There isnt a game Carlton fans wont have to stress it to the max.

 

[bigblueboy]

Prefer Young as the second ruck at this stage over O’Keeffe or Reidy.

Both looked off their feet in the little game time they did play in their respective games.

McKay, Young, Kemp & McGovern forward would be fine.

The latter two aren’t really KPFs.

It’s symbolic that after all these years on the list we are still unsure where players like McGovern and Young best fit.

One block of games down back then suddenly forward. Ruck? Williams the same - back/forward/mid. Kemp - where is best? O’Keeffe we think is a forward rather than a ruck?

it proves two things IMO: we have significant list deficits; we have significant coaching deficits.

 

[bourbons]

It's only round 3 but it sort of seems better to have the bye for our club. We know the shit storm that is coming. The club took their late game fadeouts of 2025 and then honed the fadeouts part over the pre-season. Voss couldnt have overtrained it better.

As a supporter, I'm backing Carlton for sure but only with line bets up to the end of Q2. Money in the bag.

Yep, bit of cash to be made this year betting Carlton to lead at 1/2 time, lose at full time. Dull the pain a bit lol

 

[Kernafides]

I didn't see the game but I heard Derksen played well?

Was outmarked in most one on ones

 

[ITCHY EYEBALLS]

Forward and midfielder for two defenders. Where are we supposed to put all the tall backs. Who’s going to replace hollands’ defensive running and coverage. Newman is handy but he doesn’t get up the ground.

Young goes fwd, Haynes takes his spot. Push Carroll onto wing in place of Hollands, Noodles takes back flank.
Fog? he won’t be missed

 

[Espio]

Was outmarked in most one on ones

Derks is one of the shiny new toys until he becomes the latest whipping boy.

Our key backs do not have it easy with limited midfield pressure they are often left on an island.

Replacing Young with Derksen (as some seem to think is a foregone conclusion) is just shuffling the deckchairs.

 

[Coona Blues]

Was outmarked in most one on ones

Derksen needs a body of work. Lefau is a very good player who would have been in the ones bar a legal indiscretion. Despite being 197cm, Derksen remains a third tall, more than a key, from a defensive point of view (think Todd Marshall in his new role). The absence of Phillips and Young in th senior side limits our keys in the Ressies.

I hope he can get some games this season. I think he will “make it”, but remain unsure if he becomes a regular or reliable back up. He could potentially inherit the Haynes role in years to come. He is not a genuine KPD option. Will be good IMO to have him as an option, particularly if we decide to try O’Farrell as a key forward when he returns. Let’s not forget he is a capable key forward option. I hope his scope is explored during this season at both levels.

 

[JJBagger]

I didn't see the game but I heard Derksen played well?

His intercepting was very good. Got carved up when having to defend one on one

 

[JJBagger]

Derks is one of the shiny new toys until he becomes the latest whipping boy.

Our key backs do not have it easy with limited midfield pressure they are often left on an island.

Replacing Young with Derksen (as some seem to think is a foregone conclusion) is just shuffling the deckchairs.

Same with Byrne. People can act like we are leaving Kevin Bartlett to languish in the 2’s, but I always ask this to people who attach themselves to the idea that he has to play - would he thrive in this current Carlton team?

 

[Accidental genius]

It’s symbolic that after all these years on the list we are still unsure where players like McGovern and Young best fit.

One block of games down back then suddenly forward. Ruck? Williams the same - back/forward/mid. Kemp - where is best? O’Keeffe we think is a forward rather than a ruck?

it proves two things IMO: we have significant list deficits; we have significant coaching deficits.

If we fix coaching first then list deficiencies should become a lot clearer.

For example a player that is currently seen to be struggling could possibly become an important cog.

 

[FitzroyBlueBagger]

Maybe our club needs to be a bit more vocal when fixtures are reviewed ?

Start with us having the home game against Swans, no opening round match & no Crows game again in Gather Round…

 

[Moon]

Maybe our club needs to be a bit more vocal when fixtures are reviewed ?

I'd rather cash in the credits, IOUs, favours and lucky breaks when Carlton are settled, skilled up, solid, fit ... and have the Players to make a genuine play for Top 6 .. which is not this season by the looks ... so let's bank it for the mo...

This is more of an experimental season to find out where all the n00bs slot in and get some experience playing with each other <lowers expectations>

 

[Bluechip66]

Over the rainbowI'm dreaming of the Carlton era where it doesn't matter whether we play Sydney at the SCG, GABBA, AO, OO or Geelong at GMHBA. Carlton are an awesome team and feared by all... where a home ground advantage doesn't matter.