Carlton a flag chance in 2026.

[LordLucifer]

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.

 

[hawkman]

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

Let's not get too crazy

 

[strand_victor]

View attachment 2392415

Anyone would have been laughed at 12 Months Ago had they suggested Adelaide a Flag Chance in Season 2025.

 

[RCAB]

Anyone would have been laughed at 12 Months Ago had they suggested Adelaide a Flag Chance in Season 2025.

Not really. Everyone thought they had been unlucky with umpiring in previous years, and I think most thought they had a very good spine integrated with youth, just that their midfield was lacking. They added Peatling and that helped Soligo improve this season. Rankine has gone in their at times and made them more dynamic and unpredictable.

I had Adelaide 10th in my prediction the season, I certainly didn't think it was out of the realms of possibility if they played finals this season.

What do you see in Carlton that's going to see them improve next season and on?

 

[Munich]

Yes let's talk up Carlton yet again and watch them implode yet again.

Do you ever learn?

 

[strand_victor]

Not really. Everyone thought they had been unlucky with umpiring in previous years, and I think most thought they had a very good spine integrated with youth, just that their midfield was lacking. They added Peatling and that helped Soligo improve this season. Rankine has gone in their at times and made them more dynamic and unpredictable.

I had Adelaide 10th in my prediction the season, I certainly didn't think it was out of the realms of possibility if they played finals this season.

What do you see in Carlton that's going to see them improve next season and on?

Carlton have Graham Wright arriving who is one of the Best in the Business, and their Best Players have all had Down Years so expect a Rebound in Season 2026. Curnow, McKay, Weitering, Walsh, De Koning and Cripps is a lot of Quality and all have been Poor in Season 2025.

Yes let's talk up Carlton yet again and watch them implode yet again.

Do you ever learn?

Collingwood were in a similar Spot this Time in 2021 same as Adelaide this Time in 2024. Other Examples include Richmond 2016 and Geelong 2006 as mentioned by demondavey in the OP.

 

[Munich]

Carlton have Graham Wright arriving who is one of the Best in the Business, and their Best Players have all had Down Years so expect a Rebound in Season 2026. Curnow, McKay, Weitering, Walsh, De Koning and Cripps is a lot of Quality and all have been Poor in Season 2025.

Collingwood were in a similar Spot this Time in 2021 same as Adelaide this Time in 2024. Other Examples include Richmond 2016 and Geelong 2006 as mentioned by demondavey in the OP.

We had talent on every line.

 

[Xtreme]

More chance of Essendon making and winning a final before Carlton does!

 

[demondavey]

We had talent on every line.

So does Carlton

 

[Cyclops]

Carltons major problems are off field, mostly in the board room. They addressed cozy incompetent favourite sons in recruiting, and Wright will put a broom though the rest of the footy dept and coaches-Voss they have correctly kept.

Change the board and a return to finals is likely. Not sure about 2026 but its possible, he was a big part of our very short dip out of finals.

 

[demondavey]

Yes let's talk up Carlton yet again and watch them implode yet again.

Do you ever learn?

Who is talking them up? The media who for the most has NFI? They’re talked up because they’re Carlton. Big Victorian club. Who talked up Richmond in 17, Melbourne in 21 etc?

You ask anyone who wins the flag in 17 and 21 and you don’t get Richmond or Melbourne from the media. They know **** all.

 

[demondavey]

Not really. Everyone thought they had been unlucky with umpiring in previous years, and I think most thought they had a very good spine integrated with youth, just that their midfield was lacking. They added Peatling and that helped Soligo improve this season. Rankine has gone in their at times and made them more dynamic and unpredictable.

I had Adelaide 10th in my prediction the season, I certainly didn't think it was out of the realms of possibility if they played finals this season.

What do you see in Carlton that's going to see them improve next season and on?

Recent finals experience. A lot of very good players. Confidence in the coach.

 

[demondavey]

Just pointing out that McStay is a very average footballer along with Jack.
Because McRae wants them, doesn't mean they are class players.

Jack would fit Collingwood's system perfectly in defense.

Good role players perhaps?

 

[demondavey]

Munich

It gets overlooked.

A lot of really good players in the right positions.

Weitering
Defensive role players; McGovern, Newman, Young. Who’d have thought Astbury and Vlaustin would turn out to be as influential as they were? Granted they need another defender. Important that Silvagni stays. Kemp is there as well.

A fit Walsh and Cerra play outside. Cripps is a bull in the middle as is Hewett.

Forward line is so capable. McKay and Curnow are Carlton’s equivalent of Lynch and Riewoldt. Evans, Moir, Motlop. People need to look at what they have in terms of ability. Even Fogarty can play a part up there.

If they were to keep De Koning they have a ruck answer.

Williams, Saad, Hollands etc can all play.

I watched them apply themselves against Gold Coast and they were lively. It’s all belief with this group. Keeping Voss was huge.

 

[RCAB]

Recent finals experience. A lot of very good players. Confidence in the coach.

Carlton haven't "participated" in a finals campaign since 2023.

A lot of very good players? Compared to West Coast?

You have confidence in Michael Voss's gameplan... which has created a list build of slow plodding, very poor skill users, that relies on contested game?




Since the 27th of April of 2024, they have only beaten Geelong of the current top 10 teams, despite using the fourth oldest list in competition in that time. If we ran a ladder from that time they'd sit 5th last... The same ladder position they are today.

 

[Forward Press]

Carlton haven't "participated" in a finals campaign since 2023.

A lot of very good players? Compared to West Coast?

You have confidence in Michael Voss's gameplan... which has created a list build of slow plodding, very poor skill users, that relies on contested game?

Since the 27th of April of 2024, they have only beaten Geelong of the current top 10 teams, despite using the fourth oldest list in competition in that time. If we ran a ladder from that time they'd sit 5th last... The same ladder position they are today.

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.

Obviously more likely than not that Carlton won't contend for a flag next year, but DD at least puts it out there.

He was laughed off on our own board when he posted in January 2018 that we'd win the flag.

 

[demondavey]

Carlton haven't "participated" in a finals campaign since 2023.

A lot of very good players? Compared to West Coast?

You have confidence in Michael Voss's gameplan... which has created a list build of slow plodding, very poor skill users, that relies on contested game?




Since the 27th of April of 2024, they have only beaten Geelong of the current top 10 teams, despite using the fourth oldest list in competition in that time. If we ran a ladder from that time they'd sit 5th last... The same ladder position they are today.

We shall see.

I think Voss and Carlton will change the approach over the summer. It’ll adapt. They have backed him in for that reason.

 

[LOLchie Schultz]

I agree. We know they are coming.
Dons v Blues in the GF
After beating Pies & Tiges in prelims.

Dees, Dogs, Saints & North will be knocked out in the first couple of weeks and Hawks & Cats finish 9th and 10th.

#VAFL #VICBIAS

 

[timokane]

Dark times ahead but not as dark as essendon or melbourne tho be a middle of the road team for a few years

 

[iameviljez]

Carlton have Graham Wright arriving who is one of the Best in the Business, and their Best Players have all had Down Years so expect a Rebound in Season 2026. Curnow, McKay, Weitering, Walsh, De Koning and Cripps is a lot of Quality and all have been Poor in Season 2025.

Collingwood were in a similar Spot this Time in 2021 same as Adelaide this Time in 2024. Other Examples include Richmond 2016 and Geelong 2006 as mentioned by demondavey in the OP.

Can someone please remove this poster's shift key? It's driving me insane trying to read this!

 

[iameviljez]

For all of the love for Curnow, Cripps, Walsh etc... this is Carlton's problem (taken from the most recent game):


With all due respect to Weitering, there's a shitload of bench filler there that would not get anywhere near a Brisbane, Collingwood or Adelaide side.

Carlton have overpaid their recruits, lost all their depth, and are in big trouble.

 

[Worm4]

For all of the love for Curnow, Cripps, Walsh etc... this is Carlton's problem (taken from the most recent game):
View attachment 2394988

With all due respect to Weitering, there's a shitload of bench filler there that would not get anywhere near a Brisbane, Collingwood or Adelaide side.

Carlton have overpaid their recruits, lost all their depth, and are in big trouble.

With all due respect, a lot of our depth has been sent for surgery or having a spell getting themselves right for pre season.
Lost ALL depth ? Please clarify

 

[Dangerousfield]

The OP needs to get off whatever he's on, it's seriously warping his thinking to the state of delusion.

We know Wright is a good operator, but get real, this is Carlton of shallow list notoriety, Wright is not a magician.

 

[carlton_99]

For all of the love for Curnow, Cripps, Walsh etc... this is Carlton's problem (taken from the most recent game):
View attachment 2394988

With all due respect to Weitering, there's a shitload of bench filler there that would not get anywhere near a Brisbane, Collingwood or Adelaide side.

Carlton have overpaid their recruits, lost all their depth, and are in big trouble.

Players like Carroll, Moir, Wilson, F.Young, White and O'Keefe are all young, inexperienced players that have largely been given a run late in the season when we were no chance anymore. I could find a similar number of players that haven't played much footy in their career on every list in the AFL. The difference is those lists don't have 10-12+ out with injury every week so haven't had to expose as much depth as we have. This is supported by the fact that only Essendon have used more players than Carlton this season.

And then someone like Lewis Young is probably our 5th rated tall defender but with Silvagni/McGovern/O'Farrell all out injured and then Kemp on top of that who has the versatility to play back he's forced to come in. There wouldn't be many better 5th string tall defenders in the competition. And yet opposition fans will use him as evidence of poor depth.

 

[strand_victor]

Carltons major problems are off field, mostly in the board room. They addressed cozy incompetent favourite sons in recruiting, and Wright will put a broom though the rest of the footy dept and coaches-Voss they have correctly kept.

Change the board and a return to finals is likely. Not sure about 2026 but its possible, he was a big part of our very short dip out of finals.

Do you think Carlton will become Relevant again before Essendon? There are major Issues in the Board Room of both Clubs.