Carlton enters the 2023 season with high expectations and a best 22 on paper that can potentially deliver on those hopes.
The question will be whether they can keep their best side healthy and overcome the demons of missing the eight last year.
Of their best 22, only Sam Walsh is currently unavailable heading into the start of the season (knock on wood) as the Blues gear up for their traditional season opener against Richmond.
Defenders
Carlton’s backline mostly picks itself.
Jacob Weitering, as the leader of the unit and one of the competition’s best key defenders, will be paired with Lewis Young who stood up big time in Weitering’s absence last season and locked away his spot in the best 22.
Mitch McGovern is seemingly fit and firing and ready to play that third tall intercept marking role that he excelled in before hamstring issues derailed his year.
All-Australian Adam Saad, Sam Docherty, Zac Williams and Nic Newman are an established smaller group and a key part of the Blues’ back seven. Docherty, however, will likely spend more time in the midfield this year to cover the injured Walsh and this could open the door for opportunities.
Carlton will be disappointed they don’t have access to Jordan Boyd, who impressed as a rebounding defender with an elite kick in 2022, while Caleb Marchbank could step into the Round 1 side as the magnets shuffle around.
Midfielders
The debate here starts in the ruck and this may be one of Michael Voss’ biggest headaches.
Before injuring his knee, Marc Pittonet was clearly Carlton’s number one ruckman, and one of the most efficient tap ruckmen in the competition in terms of hit-out to advantage percentage.
However, Tom De Koning is earmarked as the next big thing and received a sustained opportunity in 2022 without Pittonet. Has De Koning grown enough over summer to take the number one ruck role? Can the Blues balance both rucks in the same team or do they rely on Jack Silvagni as their secondary ruck?
With the substitute rule now for tactical use, they will at least be able to bring one of the ruckmen off late in the game for some extra run.
On-ball, Sam Walsh is obviously in Carlton’s best 22, though they will need to adjust their rotation without him as he deals with a back injury.
Brownlow Medallist Patrick Cripps, Adam Cerra and George Hewett will make up the starting midfield unit, with recruit Blake Acres expected to hold down one of the wings. Matthew Kennedy will also remain a key part of the rotation.
The Blues will rotate the likes of Docherty, Zac Fisher, Jack Martin and others through the midfield throughout games.
Matt Cottrell and Lochie O’Brien will be called upon regularly to cover the other wing position across the season.
The likes of David Cuningham, Ed Curnow, Paddy Dow, Jack Carroll and top draftee Oliver Hollands will provide midfield depth.
Forwards
Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay are the Blues’ twin towers up forward and the key to their success in 2023.
The Blues don’t really have any match-ready key forward depth, which is a worry, but they can always swing a McGovern forward or play De Koning as predominantly a key forward.
From there, Zac Fisher will start forward and push up the ground, with Corey Durdin and Jesse Motlop the small forwards likely to start the season in the best 22. Motlop showed glimpses of incredible talent in 2022 and will hopefully grow from there.
Jack Silvagni likely starts in the best 22 as another marking option who can cover the ground, but the Blues may have some headaches if they play both ruckmen in terms of being too tall in the forward half.
Jack Martin will have to earn his spot after a lacklustre 2022 season and will have to impress to keep out the likes of Matthew Owies and Josh Honey.
SEE THE FULL BEST 22 BELOW
