Carlton's finals aspirations for 2026

[mrmonkey]

Prime in an age sense. The late 20s / early 30s years when the body is the most capable it will ever be.

There's so many uncontrollable factors that go into whether a player will be put in a position to perform at a peak level. Given he's going to be surrounded by the current Brownlow Medallist Rowell, Anderson, Miller and Humphrey in the midfield - you'd have to think it's unlikely that he's going to be 'the guy' on a weekly basis.

So even if Trac is capable of putting forward a peak performance in 2026, I doubt he's going to get the chance to do it on a regular basis. There's a certain level of sacrifice that's going to come with Petracca joining the Suns and that's what comes with being a good midfielder who joins a young team that's already established itself with a strong midfield. Having said that, I do think Trac will have weeks where he wins us games and that's what you need to go from a team that finishes 7th to a top 4 team that's genuine contending.

I did actually say I think he'll make a great contribution. I think his role will be playing forward with stints in the midfield. I feel like he was doing this a bit more at the dees as well. He's still a very handy player, which I wish we could have kept but the reality is melbourne need a reset and gc a pushing for a premiership. Trac is the type of player that will help with that. Back on topic, the blues are in the same boat and got some picks for Curnow which is what they needed. IMO they need to hit the draft. Carlton could make finals but there's no real point this team won't get far.

 

[Mr Meow]

You think the Suns are going to slip lower than 7th even after recruiting a prime Christian Petracca? Most analysts I've seen are predicting at least a top 6 finish for the Suns this year so that's a pretty bold claim from you.

I don't know what to make of Carlton's list this year. Obviously lost two of their best players in De Koning and Curnow last year so that doesn't instil me with a lot of confidence. No longer having Silvagni's flexibility is probably going to hurt as well.

On the bright side, I feel like Hayward and Florent will be good additions for them around the ground. Both are 27yo so you've essentially recruited them at their peak and should at least get three really solid years out of them.

I think I can comment on this because I watched him up close for 8 years - Ainsworth is likely going to tease you with moments of brilliance, but will overall be disappointing and won't deliver when you need him to. He made a habit of missing some really straight forward 35m almost directly in front shots in goal while he was at the Suns and it certainly cost us wins.

Having said all that, if Carlton are to rise in 2026, I don't expect it to be a big rise. Perhaps a wildcard entrant finishing somewhere between 7-10th? I think that's probably best case scenario for Carlton in 2026.

Only correction I'd add is it isn't prime Petracca. Prime Petracca was arguably the best player in the comp a few years back. His current level is more like Dangerfield when he hit 32 (I realise Petracca is younger but he declined earlier).

If he tears up a finals series like Danger did in 2022 it will be a great investment.

 

[T2B_]

Apparentluy Charlie Curnow has now become a genius about football- now that he isnt playing at Carlton - him leaving means Carlton have no chance to play finals - even though when he did play finals at Carlton he was about as impactful as an abacus with no beads being used by a blind man with no hands - hmmm this reminds me of a troll on here no names no though....silvagni has been elevated from try hard nepo child to the answer to St Kida's defensive gaps when he gets over yet another injury - and TDK is somehow a better ruck forward than Marshall - because he is being paid 3X or more - and moneyt talks ( well it does make players walk) - all this is a negative indficator about Carlton ( somehow)...because all teh current finalists are unbeatable LMAO

more larfs from BF nuffies T@.

Its the main board. There's actual negative IQs around here

 

[Fadge]

Apparentluy Charlie Curnow has now become a genius about football- now that he isnt playing at Carlton - him leaving means Carlton have no chance to play finals - even though when he did play finals at Carlton he was about as impactful as an abacus with no beads being used by a blind man with no hands - hmmm this reminds me of a troll on here no names no though....silvagni has been elevated from try hard nepo child to the answer to St Kida's defensive gaps when he gets over yet another injury - and TDK is somehow a better ruck forward than Marshall - because he is being paid 3X or more - and moneyt talks ( well it does make players walk) - all this is a negative indficator about Carlton ( somehow)...because all teh current finalists are unbeatable LMAO

more larfs from BF nuffies T@.

And then there are those that buy the narrative that Carlton will be a better team with the three players because they'll be 'more balanced and dynamic'....

 

[WillHayward]

Likely bulldogs and Gold Coast will slip, and with two extra spots, gives blues a decent chance of playing finals.

Suns are genuine flag contender.

 

[Warwick]

What is Carlton’s midfield mix looking like this year? Any changes? Last year they were so pedestrian and same-same.

 

[JustaBattler]

What is Carlton’s midfield mix looking like this year? Any changes? Last year they were so pedestrian and same-same.

yeah mate a bunch of plodders.

 

[Mr.X]

yeah mate a bunch of plodders.

They’ve built around the midfield and have brought in more depth to support.

Also been some adjustments to match strategy and new game day plans

It’ll be a very different Carlton in 2026

 

[Fadge]

They’ve built around the midfield and have brought in more depth to support.

Also been some adjustments to match strategy and new game day plans

It’ll be a very different Carlton in 2026

You forgot to use the words 'dynamic' and 'balanced'.

 

[JustaBattler]

They’ve built around the midfield and have brought in more depth to support.

Also been some adjustments to match strategy and new game day plans

It’ll be a very different Carlton in 2026

My favourite COllingwood player is Maynard - by a ong long way - not that he is their best but because he has what rugby blokes like to see MONGREL - rth biggest disapointment I have wirth Voss is that he has Carlton playing clen football - teh alst time a Carlton player ended an opponment was Kreuzer on Jpolly and that was a fair tackle- too- Mongrel mate- unless youve got that youve got nuffin. Even Darcy Moore has that nasty calculated mongrel- ask Petracca- he's had to run away to Queensland to try and escape.

It ok to play fair football hard and fair- but the real superstars knwo how to funish a bloek 'failry' - thsi requires IQ and intent - footy IQ is teh #1 differentiator betwen teams that can contend and teams that look good somtimes beat anyone sometimes but cant do it week in week out.

ALl this stuff is obvious to anyone who watches the game or has played serious levels of competitive contact sport.

Every champiuon team has run on mongrel - well that si my observation as a noobie over the aost 20 uears - Collingwood have a few hard at it types but also they have more than a few with A grade footy brains ( IQ) that is their competitive edge - forget coaching BS nd game plan BS.

You cant win a seriosu game with littel runts who can't even think their way thjrough standard plays- Carlton is infesrted with them and only started thinking about improving from absolute joke to putting the sembalnce of a competitive team together three years ago - ythe fatser Calron ditches diumb players liek Curnow and TDK - the better.

 

[Fadge]

My favourite COllingwood player is Maynard - by a ong long way - not that he is their best but because he has what rugby blokes like to see MONGREL - rth biggest disapointment I have wirth Voss is that he has Carlton playing clen football - teh alst time a Carlton player ended an opponment was Kreuzer on Jpolly and that was a fair tackle- too- Mongrel mate- unless youve got that youve got nuffin. Even Darcy Moore has that nasty calculated mongrel- ask Petracca- he's had to run away to Queensland to try and escape.

It ok to play fair football hard and fair- but the real superstars knwo how to funish a bloek 'failry' - thsi requires IQ and intent - footy IQ is teh #1 differentiator betwen teams that can contend and teams that look good somtimes beat anyone sometimes but cant do it week in week out.

ALl this stuff is obvious to anyone who watches the game or has played serious levels of competitive contact sport.

Every champiuon team has run on mongrel - well that si my observation as a noobie over the aost 20 uears - Collingwood have a few hard at it types but also they have more than a few with A grade footy brains ( IQ) that is their competitive edge - forget coaching BS nd game plan BS.

You cant win a seriosu game with littel runts who can't even think their way thjrough standard plays- Carlton is infesrted with them and only started thinking about improving from absolute joke to putting the sembalnce of a competitive team together three years ago - ythe fatser Calron ditches diumb players liek Curnow and TDK - the better.

LOLOLOLOL.

Long winded way to say (and I had to interpret most of it) that you're happy Curnow and TDK are no longer on your list.

As if Carlton had any say in the matter...

 

[JustaBattler]

LOLOLOLOL.

Long winded way to say (and I had to interpret most of it) that you're happy Curnow and TDK are no longer on your list.

As if Carlton had any say in the matter...

I'm catching white bait atm - not worth repsonding to your low brow fitst shot-

 

[AlecDuncan]

The "final 10" is a phony finals. It's effectively a "final 6", as no-one finishing below 6 has any chance of winning.

I seriously doubt we'll make the real finals. The week before is possible. As per usual, injuries will decide everything.

 

[THE_GUN]

My favourite COllingwood player is Maynard - by a ong long way - not that he is their best but because he has what rugby blokes like to see MONGREL - rth biggest disapointment I have wirth Voss is that he has Carlton playing clen football - teh alst time a Carlton player ended an opponment was Kreuzer on Jpolly and that was a fair tackle- too- Mongrel mate- unless youve got that youve got nuffin. Even Darcy Moore has that nasty calculated mongrel- ask Petracca- he's had to run away to Queensland to try and escape.

It ok to play fair football hard and fair- but the real superstars knwo how to funish a bloek 'failry' - thsi requires IQ and intent - footy IQ is teh #1 differentiator betwen teams that can contend and teams that look good somtimes beat anyone sometimes but cant do it week in week out.

ALl this stuff is obvious to anyone who watches the game or has played serious levels of competitive contact sport.

Every champiuon team has run on mongrel - well that si my observation as a noobie over the aost 20 uears - Collingwood have a few hard at it types but also they have more than a few with A grade footy brains ( IQ) that is their competitive edge - forget coaching BS nd game plan BS.

You cant win a seriosu game with littel runts who can't even think their way thjrough standard plays- Carlton is infesrted with them and only started thinking about improving from absolute joke to putting the sembalnce of a competitive team together three years ago - ythe fatser Calron ditches diumb players liek Curnow and TDK - the better.

Had to read this 3 times

could somebody tell me what he said

 

[THE_GUN]

LOLOLOLOL.

Long winded way to say (and I had to interpret most of it) that you're happy Curnow and TDK are no longer on your list.

As if Carlton had any say in the matter...

Its called Copium

 

[terrybull]

Had to read this 3 times

could somebody tell me what he said

I think he wants Blues to play like they did like in the 70’s 80’s

 

[THE_GUN]

I think he wants Blues to play like they did like in the 70’s 80’s

Bring Parkin back

 

[Mr Meow]

The "final 10" is a phony finals. It's effectively a "final 6", as no-one finishing below 6 has any chance of winning.

I seriously doubt we'll make the real finals. The week before is possible. As per usual, injuries will decide everything.

That's pretty much always been the case. How many sides win it from 7th or 8th? Bulldogs in 2016, but not many others.

 

[JustaBattler]

Round 1 will be fun.