Is 2026 a honeymoon year for Voss and Carlton?

Daniel Harford and Dwayne Russell have discussed Carlton’s prospects ahead of the 2026 season.

Having started 2025 with a 1-4 record, the Blues found themselves chasing the pack as they eventually finished in 11th place.

Following that, the pressure is certainly on coach Michael Voss in 2026 to prevent the Blues from going another season without featuring in September.

During the Trade Period, they certainly have made efforts to improve their list by bringing in Sydney’s Ollie Florent and Will Hayward, among others.

Plus, they will be welcoming back defender Nic Newman and 2024's prized draft pick, Jagga Smith, from season-ending injuries in 2025.

But with all these new players, Harford has admitted that he isn’t quite sure what to expect from the side.

“I have no idea what to expect from the Blues,” he said on SEN Breakfast.

“They bring in some quality players. (Ben) Ainsworth is a quality player, (Campbell) Chesser is going to get a good look.

“I like Ollie Florent. I don’t know why Sydney weren’t playing him. Will Hayward is a good player. So, there is some established talent.

“And then you’ve got Harry Dean, who comes in as a top draft pick and Jagga Smith, who is going to get a look for the first time hopefully, for this year as well.

“So, there’s six players that you reckon could walk into your (best) 22/23.”

While they have made plenty of additions, they have also lost many key players, with Coleman Medallist Charlie Curnow and Tom De Koning chief among them.

“But you lose Curnow, who has been a pillar in the forward half,” he continued.

“You lose De Koning, who has been an unbelievable, versatile weapon for all ends of the ground.

“And you’ve got perimeter players in (Sam) Docherty, (Orazio) Fantasia, (Elijah) Hollands (and) Jack Silvangi.

“I just don’t know how they are going to put it together.”

But with all the pressure surrounding Voss, who is entering the final year of his contract, Russell thinks that 2026 will be somewhat of a ‘honeymoon’ year for Carlton as he tries to get his game plan of winning contested possessions and stoppages up and running.

“It’s a reset year though for the Carlton and Vossy, isn’t it?” Russell asked.

“We know what happens with Carlton’s season under Vossy. There will be a point where they lose two or three in a row, and the fans will go crazy and want him sacked.

“And then Carlton will say no, he’s our guy, we’re staying with him, and he gets almost a honeymoon year this year to get it going again.”

But the former Carlton AFLW coach quickly noted it would be very unlike the Blues to have a ‘honeymoon year’ with a coach entering his 5th season.

“Carlton doesn’t do honeymoon years,” Harford stated.

The Blues will reprise their spot in the season-opening game for the 2026 season.

They’ll be heading north to take on the Sydney Swans at the SCG in their first match since Charlie Curnow was traded.

That will take place on March 5.