Bryce Gibbs is backing Carlton to play finals at an absolute minimum in 2023.
The Blues missed finals by the narrowest of margins last year having spent much of the season deeply entrenched in the top eight.
With a season under the belt of head coach Michael Voss and a playing list with a strong finals profile, the Blues are primed to make their charge.
Gibbs, who played 231 games in the navy blue, says the excuses have run out and it’s “now or never” for the club.
“The time is now,” Gibbs said on SEN Breakfast.
“I don’t think there’s many more excuses for Carlton as it sits.
“I’m certainly very optimistic. I think they’ve got the right pieces in place now to have a really successful four-to-five-year period.
“They’ve got a great list, they’re well coached and I think there is still a lot of improvement to come in a lot of their players.
“They’ve got the twin towers in the forward line in (Charlie) Curnow and (Harry) McKay, their midfield has a really good inside-outside balance and a lot of them are really good two-way runners. Their defence, they’ve got some great attacking options off the back and then one of the best key defenders in the game (in Jacob Weitering).
“In terms of the team dynamic, I think it fits really well.”
Gibbs says finals at a minimum with a view towards the top four must be the target for the Blues this year.
“I think the time is now. They certainly should be aiming for top four,” he added.
“It’s certainly doable in what is going to be a pretty even competition. The top eight will be hard to get into and very competitive.
“It’s now or never for Carlton, I think the time is now and the right pieces are in place to do something special.”
Carlton won 12 games in 2022, the club’s best return since 2013, which is when they last played finals footy.
The Blues kick off their 2023 campaign with the season opener against Richmond at the MCG on March 16.