Essendon great and SEN Breakfast co-host Tim Watson has paid Carlton a huge compliment on the eve of the 2019 AFL Season.
Despite being a major player at the top end of the draft in recent times, the Blues have been starved of success, winning just 19 games over the past four seasons.
During that period, Carlton has claimed the dreaded wooden spoon on two occasions (2015, 2018).
Watson, though, reckons the Blues have turned the corner and says there is finally light at the end of the tunnel.
"I'm prepared to say this, and I don't like to make big statements, but I'm prepared to say this, that Carlton are the side has moved forward the most during the off-season," Watson said on SEN Breakfast.
"Of all the teams in the AFL… I watched every JLT game except one. I've watched a bit of every game and I'm prepared to say of all the teams I've seen, they have moved forward the most.
"I'm not saying they’re going to make the (final) eight, but having watched them play, they have made, I think, the greatest leap forward in their all-round game opposed to any other team in the competition."
A four-point loss to Collingwood in Morwell on Monday meant Carlton finished the JLT Series with a 1-1 record, having accounted for Essendon in their opening pre-season clash.
New co-captain Patrick Cripps, 23, has led from the front; No. 1 draft pick Sam Walsh (18), looks very comfortable at the level; Zac Fisher (20), appears to have taken another step in the right direction; and Jacob Weitering (21), appears to have regained his confidence.
Add in the likes of Charlie Curnow (22), Harry McKay (21), Sam Petrevski-Seton (21) and Paddy Dow (19) and the future looks bright for Carlton fans.
"I really like what they've got there now," Watson added.
"They've got some really, really good young talent there, and I think they've started to organise that talent, I think they've got some speed.
"I really like what they've done, I reckon they moved ahead, and I think Carlton fans, you should get a little bit excited about what you're going to see out there this season."
Carlton opens their 2019 campaign against Richmond at the MCG on Thursday week.
