Universal Love 2026 List Profile

[Aphrodite]

Starting with Defenders ...

2026 list profile: Defenders

A look at Carlton's defensive stocks heading into 2026.

www.carltonfc.com.au

 

[Coona Blues]

Impressive list. The final make up will be fascinating and I suspect relatively “fluid”.

Surprised Zac Williams not on the list given the amount of training he has been doing in defence.

It will be intriguing how quickly the next generation take over. Saad, Haynes, Newman, McGovern and maybe if we include Williams would realistically have a maximum of two years left on the list. They are also some of our better mentors, Haynes and Newman likely have an excellent progression to the coaching ranks. Ollie Florent now joins the senior core of the group and seems likely to join Weiters as a leader in the defence as the veterans are phased out.

On showing and natural progression it is hard not to see Cowan, Hollands, Carroll should be staples, albeit that Jeff and Ollie could both feature on wings. There is plenty to say that both Wilson and Charleson are deserving of game time at the higher level. Boyd cannot be discounted either if he puts it all together.

How quickly Harry Dean becomes a staple a the health of Weitering will play a huge part in the effectiveness of our defence. Haynes would seem unlikely to be deployed as the second tall given he has somewhat “leaned” down following his health challenges, having even spent time on a wing late last year.. Do we see the odd couple of Weitering and Young teamed up again? Is Young only key back up for Jacob? It would be spectacular if Harry O’Farrell is good to go after the bye as we are dangerously short of key defensive depth. The future is very rosy, but in ‘26 we walk a tightrope. Heaven forbid if McGovern is require to play 2nd tall.

 

[bradfisher14]

It would be spectacular if Harry O’Farrell is good to go after the bye

Is there any chance of this happening?

 

[Coona Blues]

Is there any chance of this happening?

Have heard it mentioned more than once. He is doing a significant amount of running and some light skills work at the moment. Wishful thinking, but clearly not all ACL’s are the same, and people rehab at differing rates.

I am fairly confident he will be back this year, but expecting it to be late. Doubt he is declared “inactive”.

 

[bradfisher14]

Have heard it mentioned more than once. He is doing a significant amount of running and some light skills work at the moment. Wishful thinking, but clearly not all ACL’s are the same, and people rehab at differing rates.

I am fairly confident he will be back this year, but expecting it to be late. Doubt he is declared “inactive”.

That's awesome. I was worried we wouldn't see him at all this year.

 

[Soapy V]

Have heard it mentioned more than once. He is doing a significant amount of running and some light skills work at the moment. Wishful thinking, but clearly not all ACL’s are the same, and people rehab at differing rates.

I am fairly confident he will be back this year, but expecting it to be late. Doubt he is declared “inactive”.

If he keeps progressing the way he is there is every chance. Apparently the op went well and there was no issues after. Now running etc. They won't rush him but if no issues from here could easily be playing second half of the year

He is another kid who is 100% professional in everything he does. Great to see

 

[Robertio]

Impressive list. The final make up will be fascinating and I suspect relatively “fluid”.

Surprised Zac Williams not on the list given the amount of training he has been doing in defence.

It will be intriguing how quickly the next generation take over. Saad, Haynes, Newman, McGovern and maybe if we include Williams would realistically have a maximum of two years left on the list. They are also some of our better mentors, Haynes and Newman likely have an excellent progression to the coaching ranks. Ollie Florent now joins the senior core of the group and seems likely to join Weiters as a leader in the defence as the veterans are phased out.

On showing and natural progression it is hard not to see Cowan, Hollands, Carroll should be staples, albeit that Jeff and Ollie could both feature on wings. There is plenty to say that both Wilson and Charleson are deserving of game time at the higher level. Boyd cannot be discounted either if he puts it all together.

How quickly Harry Dean becomes a staple a the health of Weitering will play a huge part in the effectiveness of our defence. Haynes would seem unlikely to be deployed as the second tall given he has somewhat “leaned” down following his health challenges, having even spent time on a wing late last year.. Do we see the odd couple of Weitering and Young teamed up again? Is Young only key back up for Jacob? It would be spectacular if Harry O’Farrell is good to go after the bye as we are dangerously short of key defensive depth. The future is very rosy, but in ‘26 we walk a tightrope. Heaven forbid if McGovern is require to play 2nd tall.

That about sums it up, we are good in 26 as long as Weitering stays fit, with O'farrel and Dean for the future we still need to look at a mature swingman.

 

[Soapy V]

That about sums it up, we are good in 26 as long as Weitering stays fit, with O'farrel and Dean for the future we still need to look at a mature swingman.

Perfectly summed up by you both

We are walking a fine line in 26 with KPPs. That's why I would recruit Phillips. Not a star but a good solid team player that can fill a vital role if needed.

We need need options until Dean, HOF, HOK are really ready. Big call to expect them to play every game this year

 

[Coona Blues]

That about sums it up, we are good in 26 as long as Weitering stays fit, with O'farrel and Dean for the future we still need to look at a mature swingman.

The “mature” swingman is an interesting thought, if we can get through this year with Weiters and the young keys in good shape, we potentially have Young who can continue the role for another couple of years.

I think I would be more inclined to draft a YOUNG swingman option to continue building the list. After a couple of years of Young, the right kid could be ready for a consistent role. Timeline wise I actually think a forward leaning young swingman would be our best investment in the short term, then perhaps a mature type if needed when the time comes to move past Young and the kid is more forward or unsuitable. Just my opinion.

I have plenty of faith in Kemp and O’Keeffe to get the job done in the medium term, but consider forward more pressing than defence once we get through the upcoming season. O’Keeffe may be required to be ruck first at some stage, Kempy is capable of going back if the necessity arises. If we can get a genuine ruck/forward it may be even better. There are a couple of possibles in the next draft.

It is so much about what is available and when they are available, but more talls must be on the menu sooner rather than later.

 

[Soapy V]

The “mature” swingman is an interesting thought, if we can get through this year with Weiters and the young keys in good shape, we potentially have Young who can continue the role for another couple of years.

I think I would be more inclined to draft a YOUNG swingman option to continue building the list. After a couple of years of Young, the right kid could be ready for a consistent role. Timeline wise I actually think a forward leaning young swingman would be our best investment in the short term, then perhaps a mature type if needed when the time comes to move past Young and the kid is more forward or unsuitable. Just my opinion.

I have plenty of faith in Kemp and O’Keeffe to get the job done in the medium term, but consider forward more pressing than defence once we get through the upcoming season. O’Keeffe may be required to be ruck first at some stage, Kempy is capable of going back if the necessity arises. If we can get a genuine ruck/forward it may be even better. There are a couple of possibles in the next draft.

It is so much about what is available and when they are available, but more talls must be on the menu sooner rather than later.

If some rumours are true we may be looking at Taj Murray although he seems more a ruck/fwd

The other question is where do we see HOF? Some at club think he will be a forward

 

[Coona Blues]

If some rumours are true we may be looking at Taj Murray although he seems more a ruck/fwd

Yeah, more forward and a beanpole, but his ability as a leaping ruck in the middle is appealing too. There are going to be some interesting ruck tactics in the coming season. Some training vision had Pitto crossing the line to make contact in some centre contests, really wondering what the umpire interpretation is going to be on that.

 

[gbatman]

If some rumours are true we may be looking at Taj Murray although he seems more a ruck/fwd

The other question is where do we see HOF? Some at club think he will be a forward

O'Farrell will play where ever we need an elite tall the most. He will be a top level player at either end. He reminds me a little of a young Stephen Silvagni. Tall, skinny, quite quick, agile and with a big leap and footy brain.

I think McKay and O'Keeffe supported by our other strong overhead types like Moir and Kemp is plenty of height and there is no need to add another tall to that equation. The issue is if we have injuries, we will need a pinch hitter in there. However with Kemp, Moir, Ainsworth, Hayward. Losing a key forward is not going to hurt like it has previous seasons when it has been Curnow, McKay and noone.

O'Farrell is already good enough to hold down CHB. Dean is a talent. Haynes is good enough to hold that position pretty well. Young finished last season well in that role.

If we get into a situation where Weitering, Dean, O'Keeffe and McKay are all going well. Our taller pockets, Kemp, Moir and Haynes are all going well. It will be interesting to see where O'Farrell fits in.

I think he is a CHB or CHF. Someone who can park themselves up the line in defence and get a run and jump at it when it's bombed in or as a hard leading forward who you put the ball out in front of and he does the rest. I think he is both and it will come down to team needs as to where he mostly fits in.

 

[Robertio]

The “mature” swingman is an interesting thought, if we can get through this year with Weiters and the young keys in good shape, we potentially have Young who can continue the role for another couple of years.

I think I would be more inclined to draft a YOUNG swingman option to continue building the list. After a couple of years of Young, the right kid could be ready for a consistent role. Timeline wise I actually think a forward leaning young swingman would be our best investment in the short term, then perhaps a mature type if needed when the time comes to move past Young and the kid is more forward or unsuitable. Just my opinion.

I have plenty of faith in Kemp and O’Keeffe to get the job done in the medium term, but consider forward more pressing than defence once we get through the upcoming season. O’Keeffe may be required to be ruck first at some stage, Kempy is capable of going back if the necessity arises. If we can get a genuine ruck/forward it may be even better. There are a couple of possibles in the next draft.

It is so much about what is available and when they are available, but more talls must be on the menu sooner rather than later.

Yeah i didn't mention the draft as we're not sure what will happen and how much we have to pay for Walker but the best KPP's are usually drafted early unless we find anotherr Harry O'ffarrell.

 

[Coona Blues]

Yeah i didn't mention the draft as we're not sure what will happen and how much we have to pay for Walker but the best KPP's are usually drafted early unless we find anotherr Harry O'ffarrell.

I think the Walker cost is a relatively known quantity. They are talking about “no more that two first round picks” to ensure clubs don’t us a heap of later picks. My reading is we likely pay both ours and Swans first rounders and any excess comes from one of our two ‘27 first rounder. Other than Cody, we will be starting with Norf’s second rounder (earlyish twenties academy/father sons aside)

 

[Robertio]

I think the Walker cost is a relatively known quantity. They are talking about “no more that two first round picks” to ensure clubs don’t us a heap of later picks. My reading is we likely pay both ours and Swans first rounders and any excess comes from one of our two ‘27 first rounder. Other than Cody, we will be starting with Norf’s second rounder (earlyish twenties academy/father sons aside)

After Cody they should definitely target some KPP or go Free agency.

 

[gbatman]

Lets just see where Sydney and us finish. I have a gut feeling Sydney could finish fairly low and perhaps we won't need much more than our first for Walker. There is a lot of hype around them because they finished in a grand final a few years back, have a strong reputation and just gained Curnow. They have also lost players and regressed a long way last season. Verdict is still out on Cox. I think they could crash as easily as they could rise.

The other question is what we do with Walker? If any player is going to lay low for a year it will be him. Could easily play half back in our VFL side in a development role for a year. Learn our game plan, train with the club, get accustomed to playing against men.

I'm not 100% sure of our list needs going forward. I can see us looking into a ruck. I suspect we will want someone a little more dominant in that position. It just matters a little less if your midfield is a little slow if your controlling where the ball is going more. However new rules means the ruckman needs to be a decent footballer as well, mostly strong overhead and athletic.

As for key position players. I am not of the opinion that we need them as desperately as some. We have a good mix of elite talent and up and coming talent. I do think that we should hit the draft in this instance. Ideally a forward and a back would be good. But not just for the sake of it. We have to think that they are most likely good AFL quality, not a project type.

I would be keen on another small forward/half forward type. Just to fill in the age demographic there. Moir is developing and Byrne to me looks great. Ainsworth and Hayward will be with us for a while however if the opportunity arises to pick another then go for it.

Our young half backs are developing ok. Will any become elite? I think we need to keep an eye on the progress of Wilson and Charleson. Both look good young players with potential but if they don't move out of the potential stage we can't be left short here.

Wing is the other point of play. I think wing could be one of our highest priority positions. We will have to wait and see what comes up here.

The onball group look to be balancing up with the arrival of Walker. Walsh fit and Smith fit. Looking at the match sim we look like a completely different team with pace and agility in there. Will Walsh, Walker and Smith be enough to rebuild and modernise our midfield? I hope so. As for big bodies in there, that is no issue at this stage IMO.

IMO our list doesn't have any weak points. But there are points of improvement and ares to add depth and repair age demographics.

Things can change quickly if players step up.

I would say at this stage that wing could be the main area of need and possibly ruck after that. Key position wise I think we are fine but I think we need to add some depth via the draft or the possibility a young player wants to come home.