2022 Team Preview – Carlton

This is me…

…desperately trying to keep a lid on my hopes for Carlton this year. A new (importantly proven) coach, some of the best talent available in last year’s trade period, a midfielder who went Top 4 in last year’s Brownlow Medal, the reigning Coleman Medallist, a returning Forward that Dermott Brereton once said would one day be the best in the AFL, and a spine that matches it with any other team in the comp.

Must. Keep. Lid. On.

Let’s take a look at the players who will help take the Blues back to Finals Footy for the first time since 2013 and are of interest from a SuperCoach perspective.

Defenders

Feeling Lucky: Jacob Weitering ($512 200). The number 1 draft pick from 2015 blossomed last year playing all 22 games, taking his average from 75 to 94, and narrowly (unjustly) missing the AA team. Kade Simpson’s retirement has been great for his game! The question in 2022 is: how will the departure of Liam Jones (who at the time of writing was out of the team – solidarity, brother!) and the addition of Mitch McGovern to the backline affect his stats? It’s a big enough question for me to leave him out at this stage. Let’s not forget about Nic Newman ($477 100). Returned from injury in R9 last year and played out the season, scoring 126 and 128 in 2 of the last 3 games to take his average to 87.6. In his last full season (2019), he averaged 96.7. An awkward price but I think he’s worth your consideration. Liam Stocker ($317 900). With a 2021 average of 58.4, I can’t put hand on heart and tell you to bring him in and certainly not when he’s yet to return from an ankle syndesmosis. BUT… his last game of the year produced his highest score (85) and mark my words, this kid is going to break out at some stage. Remember where you heard it first.

Money Maker: Brodie Kemp ($156 800) played the last 2 games of 2021 scoring 20 and then bowing out with a 72 against the Giants. Even though he drifted in and out of those games (which of course is to be expected) the kid has some moves. Check this out. With question marks over Docherty and Stocker, he might just get a game in Round 1. Watch.

Don’t Even Think About It: Adam Saad ($449 800). Love the guy and started with him last year. Whilst his 114 in R1 helped propel me to (ahem) #2 overall, his inconsistency after that frustrated the hell out of me. And then there’s Zac Williams ($461 100). Footy commentators generally aren’t too harsh on players. Especially when those commentators are ex-players. In the middle of last season, Jonno Brown called ZWill “the laziest bloke in the AFL” and showed clips from a game to demonstrate his point adding that there were plenty more that he could have shown that were on the cutting room floor. Now maybe Zac’s picked up his act since then but between the stupid suspensions and the injuries, I’m gonna let him prove he’s earning his enormous contract (don’t start me on that) before I jump on. Caleb Marchbank ($209 300). Tempting price I know but hasn’t played since R16, 2019 because of serious knee injuries. Make sure you’re clutching a 4-leaf clover as you press the T to bring him into your side.

Midfielders

Lock and Load: In his third season, Sam Walsh ($637 100), took his average from 101 to 117 last year while playing all 22 games and topping his season with a 193 in R18 against The Pies. Will never disappoint you – just lock him in now.

Feeling Lucky: Let’s have a look at the new guy: Adam Cerra ($490 200). Comes to the Baggers having made a name for himself at the Dockers where he impressed all with his clearance work and inside 50 ability. Featuring in the 22under22 side for the last two seasons, Cerra is very much a hybrid midfielder in that he can do damage on both the inside and outside of the contest last year averaging 90.1 in 18 games. I like him and want thim to do well but $490k is a bit of a risk to take on a guy who hasn’t played within a new system yet. Perhaps wait and see what he does in the preseason. Let’s also not forget the old guy: Patrick Cripps ($454 800). We all know what he’s capable of – he averaged 119 in 2018 and 117 in 2019 – but the reason he’s that price is that he’s been managing injuries the last couple of seasons. If he’s through those and has the support he needs with the recruits Carlton’s brought in over the last couple of years, he could easily return to those heady pre-pandemic numbers. Another one to watch in the preseason.

Rucks

I won’t insult your SuperCoach intelligence by mentioning Marc Pittonet ($462 700) or Tom De Koning ($325 800).

Forwards

Money Maker: The following is a direct quote from a report on Carlton’s match simulation played on January 21, 2021: “Charlie Curnow ($224 300) was a shining light during Carlton’s match simulation on Friday morning, with the athletic forward booting two goals and collecting plenty of the footy as he attacks his first full pre-season in two years. Curnow was back to his athletic best as he covered ground receiving the ball as high as the wing before crashing packs deep forward and hitting the scoreboard. The 24-year-old was willing to throw his body at anything he could, seemingly enjoying the feeling of bodies crashing into his own.” Played the last 4 games of last season scoring no higher than 57. Could foreseeably double his price and win you more than a few early season matches if he’s anywhere near back to his match-winning best. Jesse Motlop ($117 300) is the son of former North Melbourne and Port Adelaide livewire Daniel (or, for all your Karate Kid fans out there “Daniel son”) and was selected by the Blues with pick No.27 in last year’s Draft. Jesse is a dynamic, energetic small Forward who is expected to bring a ton of X factor to Carlton’s forward line. If he gets a game Round 1, if rookies are in short supply, I’ll be throwing him in.

Carlton’s Best 22 in ’22

(assuming all fit and healthy)

B: Sam Docherty, Jacob Weitering, Liam Stocker
HB: Adam Saad, Mitch McGovern, Nic Newman
C: Zac Williams, Patrick Cripps, George Hewett
HF: Matt Kennedy, Charlie Curnow, Jack Martin
F: Jack Silvagni, Harry McKay, Zac Fisher
Foll: Marc Pittonet, Sam Walsh, Adam Cerra
I/C: Lachie Fogarty, Lachie Plowman, Ed Curnow, Paddy Dow

Emerg: Lachie O’Brien, Tom De Koning, Lewis Young, Will Setterfield

Not a bad ol’ squad, eh?

Bluebaggers That Are Currently In The Maulers@SCT

Who am I rolling with right now?

• Sam Walsh (M, $637 100)
• Nic Newman (D, $477 100)
• Charlie Curnow (F, $224 300)

Without doubt, the lightest I’ve gone on Blues players in years.

Let me know in the Comments if there’s anyone other Blues players you’re thinking about.

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