As many have mentioned, plenty of talent at the Blues, feel they just need some leadership around them to improve there standards and thus improve the football on field. Melbourne did that when they brought in older, wiser guys like Cameron Pedersen, Daniel Cross etc. Brisbane have done that recently with the recruitment of guys like Luke Hodge, Charlie Cameron, Allen Christensen and Dayne Beams (even though he wanted to return home to Qld).
Feel Carlton should be doing something similar at the end of the year. You can pick up B & C grade players but not run of the mil, borderline fringe players they seemed to have stacked there list with. These guys should be of high character, leaders if you will, help improve and set the standards everywhere for the Blues to improve on.
The kids they have are a decent crop, they do need some guidance but the previous 2 years un Bolton showed they can play football. Obviously injuries have curtailed this year but the previous two years Win:loss ratios ('17 - 6 wins, '16 - 7 wins) suggests they can play football.
Anyways, to the topic at hand. A Best 22 using only the guys they currently have is incredibly hard to fill. They have a large number of guys on the cusp of going either way. Jarrod Picket, Ciaran Byrne, David Cunningham, Nick Graham, Darcy Lang even. The top ends are seriously as good as any but it is that mid > lower end of this 22 that really falls away.
Will try to break down each zone in what I feel the 22 will look likei n 5 years time. Some contentious calls but may be required in due time at Carlton.
Defense:
Backline: Lachie Plowman - Jacob Weitering - ????
Half Backs Line: Sam Docherty - Caleb Marchbank - ????
The two lynchpins of this last line of defence could be as good as any. Weitering obviously has talent. You don't go at No.1 for little reason and his debut season showed this. Plowman has been a revelation since coming across from GWS. Docherty is obviously one of the best in the caper and Marchbank goes about it with very little fuss but do not underestimate how good he could be/is. O'Brien is one that should/could seriously come into consideration for one of these spots. Has shown PLENTY this year already.
Obviously two more spots to fill in this 18, one on each line here. A number of guys have the opportunity on the current list to nail down a spot.
Midfield:
Centreline: Zac Fisher - Pat Cripps - SPS
Rucks: ???? - Matt Kennedy - Dow
I genuinely believe the nucleus of a great midfield is already set in stone. SPS could genuinely be anything. Cripps is obviously one of the best in the caper and whilst the rest of this currently named group are 50:50, they have all shown they can be very good players at the top level. A ruck for the future is the most glaring need and hard to find but once filled, this group could be something special imho.
Forwards:
Half Forward Line: ???? - ???? - Charlie Curnow
Forward Line: ???? - McKay - ????
If/when McKay comes on, the Blues have a seriously talented duo to build a forward line around. Obviously this is one area they very much need to address moving forward but easily filled. Marking forwards a must and whilst many have tipped Curnow to be a hulking CHF, feel his best work will be done floating off a flank and tearing games apart at will.
Depth analysis:
This will be very contentious but a worthwhile task none the less. All these guys are 26 or under (roughly 31 in 5 years) NOT NAMED ABOVE currently on the Blues list.
(from oldest to youngest
according to footywire)
Matt Shaw (borderline/gone)
Aaron Mullet - gone
Cam O'Shea - gone
Jed Lamb - gone
Sam Kerridge - gone
Nicholas Graham - gone
Ciaran Byrne - 50:50
Darcy Lang - gone
Jarrod Garlett - 50:50
Jarrod Pickett - 50:50
Jesse Glass McCasker - 50:50 (more gone)
David Cunningham - high possibility of being on the list
Cillian McDaid - didn't he retire and return home already?
Jack Silvagni - Genuinely torn about Jack. Could be a player but not sure the bodies are around the help protect him.
Harry McKay - Needs to come on for the sake of the Blues moving forward.
Cameron Polson - 50:50 shows plenty of go but needs to better finish to have a consistent impact at AFL level.
Harrison Macreadie - 50:50 the Blues like him and he has plenty to offer at AFL level. Certainly one to watch.
Kym Lebois - gone but could still keep improving and be ok in 5 years.
Pat Kerr - 50:50 talls do take longer and Kerr is young. Will be keen to see how he improves in the next 2 years.
Tom Williamson - Another player that many Blues supporters rave about. Could be a real player and is one many expect to make it.
Angus Schumacher - 50:50 younger defender with a raking left foot. Could fill a void in defense.
Tom De Koning - 50:50 ruckmen/fwd who continues to grow. Perfect for the Blues if he comes on.
Lochie O'Brien - Genuinely excited about this kid. He and Dow will be brilliant from this draft class.
Final Analysis:
B. Plowman - Weitering - ??
Hb. Docherty - Marchbank - ??
C. Fisher - Cripps - SPS
R. ?? - Kennedy - Dow
Hf. ?? - ?? - C.Curnow
F. ?? - McKay - ??
This is a very solid foundation to fill the team around. With this core of players all 24 or younger (bar Docherty) they should be ok. Plenty of opportunities for the next batch of kids to fill but an exciting one none the less. A ruckmen should be paramount for the Blues moving forward and obviously capable forwards are required. In 5 years time they may not be pushing for a flag but they should have turnt around there fortunes by 2023.