Carlton a flag chance in 2026.

[Spook]

Not a chance! Their small forwards are the worst in the league, the midfield one paced, the rucks without TDK are poor and after Weitering the backline is a worry. Add in an average coaching box and they won't be getting close

100%

Surely this op thread is a piss take looking to rope in some suckers!

The current Carlton are 10th at best. On paper some they have individuals who can play an awsome game once every few weeks, but they are so far off regularly beating the top teams it won’t change in 1 preseason.

Their form over the last few years against the current strong team is a better representation of how much they need to turn around to be finalists let alone

let’s look at Carlton’s recent form with the top 10.
Adelaide - lost last 5 games
Brisbane - lost 7 of last 8
Collingwood - lost last 4. Lost 7/8
GWS - lost last 3 of 4
Hawthorn - lost last 3
Sydney - lost last 3 do last 4
Bullies - lost 4 of last 5

The only recent strong teams they have had any suspect or broken even with are
Geelong - won 2 of last 3. What’s going on year Cats fans?
GC - last 3 won - I can’t see that lasting.
Freo - 1 each - Have to say that Freo are one of the biggest risers in the present and future.

So where is there relative important going to be?

I had Carlton 12th this year.

 

[WalshistheGOAT]

Care to elaborate on why you disagree with my opinion?



Here comes Walshy's mates to chirp in.

You watch them go silent in the years ahead when these posts are bumped.

Do you have any examples of Elijah Hollands shirking contests lol? Genuinely no idea what you're talking about.

Silvagni who was in AA form as a KPD this year according to multiple media figures/ex players and Champion Data and featured in the the coaches votes multiple times too despite his team being absolutely shite and playing in the back line is an average player...

And Moore is ahead of the 2x BNF winner, 5 time AA squad, 1 time AA team player despite never winning a BNF, only making the squad 2 times and generally renowned for being one of the worst one on one defenders in the league...

Can I get that dealers number please?

 

[WalshistheGOAT]

'Average player'

Must have been doing something alright to make two separate mid year AA teams before getting injured...

Champion Data's 2025 mid-season All-Australian team

The team is in!

sen.com.au

 

[Forward Press]

This was OP in January 2018 by the way.

Certified Legendary Thread - Eagles - Potential Premiers 2018

Good Morning, Yes that's my thread title and where I think the Eagles could be headed this year. There won't be many people on the MB agreeing with me, but I feel that you have a list almost ready to explode if things can click. I'll give you my reasons. KPP - Elite. JK, Darling, McGovern, NN...

www.bigfooty.com

OP also in 2005.

Hawthorn will be premiers in 2008 or 2009

just looking at hawthorn's list and realising that they have some serious potential. If they can keep that list together for the next two or so seasons, then they should be ripe to take the cup in 2008 or 2009. I would say 2009 to be safe. Just looking at there youngsters and the potential they...

www.bigfooty.com

Carlton posters, time to start booking your Grand Final tickets for next year.

 

[carlton_99]

This was OP in January 2018 by the way.

Certified Legendary Thread - Eagles - Potential Premiers 2018

Good Morning, Yes that's my thread title and where I think the Eagles could be headed this year. There won't be many people on the MB agreeing with me, but I feel that you have a list almost ready to explode if things can click. I'll give you my reasons. KPP - Elite. JK, Darling, McGovern, NN...

www.bigfooty.com

OP also in 2005.

Hawthorn will be premiers in 2008 or 2009

just looking at hawthorn's list and realising that they have some serious potential. If they can keep that list together for the next two or so seasons, then they should be ripe to take the cup in 2008 or 2009. I would say 2009 to be safe. Just looking at there youngsters and the potential they...

www.bigfooty.com

Carlton posters, time to start booking your Grand Final tickets for next year.

If this turns out to be another correct prediction I will gift demondavey a Premium Lifetime Platinum plan (whatever that is).

 

[Forward Press]

I also want to say that that - unlike many of us here - demondavey at least puts his outlandish predictions out there and although obviously not all of them hit (I'm sure if you dig hard enough you can find some predictions that failed), two of them in recent times have been hits when posters at the time - even West Coast and Hawthorn ones - laughed it off.

West Coast were $31 for the flag in the 2018 pre-season and Hawthorn in 2005 were nowhere near it.

 

[demondavey]

You've had 2 x 13 win seasons, and we're miles off the pace of the genuine contenders in both years.

All eventual premiers are miles off it at some point. The history is in front of you. Absolutely nobody picked Melbourne to win in 2021. Same as Richmond in 17, WC in 18 etc (well I picked WC but anyway).

Walsh, Cerra and another midfielder need to drive the middle. Less reliance on Cripps. Weitering isn’t old and is capable. Curnow and McKay are A grade.

It’s simply not beyond achievable.

 

[demondavey]

I also want to say that that - unlike many of us here - demondavey at least puts his outlandish predictions out there and although obviously not all of them hit (I'm sure if you dig hard enough you can find some predictions that failed), two of them in recent times have been hits when posters at the time - even West Coast and Hawthorn ones - laughed it off.

West Coast were $31 for the flag in the 2018 pre-season and Hawthorn in 2005 were nowhere near it.

I’ve had some busts, but it’s BF and it’s a bit of fun.

It’s not on here I don’t think but I either said it to friends or on BF but I said Melbourne would go back to back in 2020-2021. Went bust one year.

 

[Crankyhawk]

And making more shit up.

Actually quoting things that I never said, and ignoring the many accurate comments that have been made (Sidebottom > Acres, for example).

What a desperate, desperate lying individual.

But regardless...

E. Hollands really has been great this year, hasn't he?

And who's had a better season - Walsh or Long.

You are embarrassing yourself. But that's not unusual.

Long had one good month. Now is struggling as sub. Exposed badly on Thursday.

 

[PrancingPony]

In all seriousness, I think Carlton missed their chance over the last few years to contend, they had the cattle but couldn't get the job done, and with the rumours of how many players are looking to leave this year, I think we may see Carlton back down the bottom of the ladder for years to come.

 

[demondavey]

'Average player'

Must have been doing something alright to make two separate mid year AA teams before getting injured...

Champion Data's 2025 mid-season All-Australian team

The team is in!

sen.com.au

Silvagni is a good player. A good defender. The kind of player that stays and turns into an AA or influences success. Like a Vlaustin or an Astbury. I hope he signs back on with Carlton.

 

[Freomaniac]

Putting it out there now. I am putting a target on my head and calling all Collingwood supporters for a free shot. I know you will. A scent to the wolves.

Carlton aren’t far away. It’s attitude and application. I am convinced the list is there. The core group is solid with enough experience to compete with the best. The second and third tier players need to sharpen their corners but I think the trading period could benefit them if they target the right players.

Last night I saw a really impressive burst of play that showed me that game plan, structure and names didn’t matter. It was energy, intensity and desire. The core foundations of the best sides that comes as second nature. I think they can bring themselves up to that level next year.

We see this happen typically with each premier. This century anyhow.

Geelong
04-06 was two finals years, bust, flag.

Richmond
13-16, three finals years, bust, flag.

WC
15-18 was a GF, few early exits, flag

Melbourne
Near Miss in 17, finals 18, bust for two, flag.

Carlton
Finals in 23, bust for two…..

I’d not be surprised if the signing of Voss was a bit of Mark Thompson 06 moment giving him the confidence to change and giving the players confidence and stability in leadership.

McKay
Curnow
Cripps
Williams
Saad
Weitering
Evans
Hewett
De Koning - you’d hope he stays
Walsh

There’s a plethora of talent. Sometimes the circuit breaker is between the ears. I’ll wear the inevitable laughing emojis from all and sundry, but there’ll be a handful of posters out there that’ll be able to identify with the trends and understand that Carlton aren’t far off.

I am throwing it out there now, and happy to be wrong as it’s a harmless prediction, but I think Carlton might go all the way next year.

Have at it.

I posted this on another thread.

Even Irish BlueBagger agreed with me on that post.

If Carlton does win a flag in 2026, it will be similar to the demons of the 2021 flag.

Looking at the demons path to the 2021 flag....

- 2007-17. No finals. Could of got 8th spot in 2017 if they did slightly better

-2018, finals, won 2 finals then a preliminary final exit vs eagles in Perth.

- 2019 no finals but injuries. 17th

- 2020 no finals, less injuries

- 2021 everything fell their way and they won a flag.

- 2022 and 2023 finals.

Carlton on the other hand....

- 2014 to 2022 no finals. Narrowly missed finals in 2022.

-2023 like the 2018 demons, finished 5th and won 2 finals. Lost a preliminary final outside of Victoria vs Brisbane at the Gabba.

- 2024 made 8th spot but could of got 9th if other results went against them.

- 2025 like the 2019 demons. Season ruined crippled with injuries.

- 2026 things could fall in their direction. A fully fit Carlton squad can do damage.

- 2027-8 finals .

The playing list is there.

The core is good. Weitering in the backline is good.

Walsh (when fully fit) , Cripps and Cerra are all solid inside mids.

Curnow and McKay fully fit can cause problems.

There is a 3 or 4 year window with this current playing list

 

[demondavey]

In all seriousness, I think Carlton missed their chance over the last few years to contend, they had the cattle but couldn't get the job done, and with the rumours of how many players are looking to leave this year, I think we may see Carlton back down the bottom of the ladder for years to come.

I don’t think so. It’s a line in the sand moment for these guys. It could go one of two ways. I genuinely think they need to look at history and revisit their potential and ability. They can win it.

 

[demondavey]

Hollands is ordinary. He shirks contests all too often.
Silvagni is an average footballer and always will be.

Moore v Weitering is a very good comparison. You would have to give the nod to Moore based on what he has achieved so far in his career with the finals performances and 2 x All Australians.

McCrae isn’t courting Silvagni if he thinks he is an average footballer.

 

[PrancingPony]

I don’t think so. It’s a line in the sand moment for these guys. It could go one of two ways. I genuinely think they need to look at history and revisit their potential and ability. They can win it.

We'll see what happens, but I think their best chance was 2023 when they made the PF.

 

[Freomaniac]

I also want to say that that - unlike many of us here - demondavey at least puts his outlandish predictions out there and although obviously not all of them hit (I'm sure if you dig hard enough you can find some predictions that failed), two of them in recent times have been hits when posters at the time - even West Coast and Hawthorn ones - laughed it off.

West Coast were $31 for the flag in the 2018 pre-season and Hawthorn in 2005 were nowhere near it.

I would love you or demondavey to post a crazy thread of Fremantle winning the 2026 or 2027 flag LoL

 

[T2B_]

We'll see what happens, but I think their best chance was 2023 when they made the PF.

I can agree, we got there in the end pretty banged up and running on fumes with what I think was a pretty unsustainable game plan. If there had of been more in the tank and/or we had a better system and list balance (especially pace through the middle) who knows what might have been.

But woulda shoulda coulda. Now we're in the mess we're in. Though I can't personally see us going from our current predicament to premiers in one year, obviously I'd love OP to be right. One thing is for certain in footy though, things can turn around quickly. Generally hasn't been the case for us, but if we start working across the board like an actual 21st century AFL football club, who knows.

 

[Billy Cart 07]

These main board threads are great at setting up any team to fail. Can someone please go create one for the other 17 clubs. I can’t be bothered. Thank you

 

[demondavey]

I would love you or demondavey to post a crazy thread of Fremantle winning the 2026 or 2027 flag LoL

I actually feel like Sydney will be very good next year. Fremantle and Adelaide will be up there along with GC and the WB. I reckon you can lock that top 6 in right now.

Carlton
Adelaide
Fremantle
Sydney
GC
WB

 

[demondavey]

These main board threads are great at setting up any team to fail. Can someone please go create one for the other 17 clubs. I can’t be bothered. Thank you

Do you think Carlton will read this and collectively to fail?

You don’t have to contribute.

 

[demondavey]

I would love you or demondavey to post a crazy thread of Fremantle winning the 2026 or 2027 flag LoL

Dockers are in the mix. You should be playing finals for a few years yet.

 

[Bostonian]

 

[RonnieRaven]

I thought we waited to after the grandfinal before we spruik top 4 and premiership potential for the blues and bombers.

 

[demondavey]

Didn't he court McStay?

Likely

 

[demondavey]

McStay produced a slightly better career than Silvagni?

Yes, but why is McCrae into him? He clearly rates him. Not sure what your point is on this one.