Carlton great Mark Maclure and star Patrick Cripps give their views on the kids leading the Blues rebuild
CARLTON great Mark Maclure and club champion Patrick Cripps rate “generation next” — the baby Blues who are expected to drag the club up the ladder and back into the finals.
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CARLTON great Mark Maclure says the club’s “first rebuild in 150 years” has been a pleasure to watch — which is more than he can say for the many other half-baked attempts at resurrecting the Blues.
The three-time Blues premiership player and Fox Footy analyst is delighted with the club’s well-drilled progress under coach Brendon Bolton and he thinks they can cause another upset against Melbourne.
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“There have been a lot of mistakes made in the past, but what happened in the past doesn’t matter now,” Maclure said.
“It is about what is happening now and hopefully what is going to happen in the future.
“We are starting to see these young guys playing good consistent footy, and that’s great. I have been to the games and sat in the crowd, and I’m loving what I am seeing at the moment.
“They are well organised and well drilled. I am seeing a future. They got beaten by two goals last week (against Adelaide) and to beat GWS was enormous.
“Can they beat Melbourne? Yes, they are a real chance.”
Maclure is loath to put a time frame on the club getting back into the finals again, saying finishing in the top eight remains a tough business.
But he says whenever the Blues return to the top flight, they will be ready to make a stand.
“You probably saw Richmond get there before they were ready,” he said.
“You want the Blues to be ready to perform when they get there.
“This is the first rebuild this club has had in 150 years, so it’s good to see the level of improvement so far this year.
“I’m enjoying it, and the great thing is that it is happening in front of our eyes.”
GENERATION NEXT
DAVID CUNINGHAM (No.23, 2015 draft)
Age: 20 Height: 183cm Weight: 83kg Games: 8
Mark Maclure says: “He has got some talent and he needs a couple more pre-seasons, but we will see the best of him soon.”
Patrick Cripps says: “He is a really powerful mid to half-forward. He is clean, he has got a lot of growth. He still has a bit to learn about the game, but he has a lot of X-factor about him.”
SAM PETREVSKI-SETON (No.6, 2016 draft)
Age: 19 Height: 180cm Weight: 74kg Games: 12
Maclure says: “He still has a few things he needs to sort out, he needs to get a bit fitter and stronger. But I think he could be an A-grade forward-midfielder in time.”
Cripps says: “He’s a ripper. He can do it on the left and right foot. Once he gets another pre-season in him, he will probably start playing more midfield next year. You want to get the ball in his hands.”
ZAC FISHER (No.27, 2016 draft)
Age: 19 Height: 175cm Weight: 68kg Games: 9
Maclure says: “I love this guy. He has got some real talent, but just doesn’t trust himself at the moment. There are some really good signs there.”
Cripps says: “He might have the most X-factor of them all. He is small but kind of wiry and strong. He never misses a tackle and he is a step ahead of some people. He is so quick with his hands.”
JACK SILVAGNI (No.53, 2015 draft)
Age: 19 Height: 191cm Weight: 89kg Games: 21
Maclure says: “He is the best kick in his family of all-time. Serge was horrid. Stephen was OK.”
Cripps says: “He is a smart, old-fashioned player. He is not overly quick, but he always finds a way to make an impact.”
CHARLIE CURNOW (No.12, 2015 draft)
Age: 20 Height: 194cm Weight: 91kg Games: 19
Maclure says: “He played his best game last week. He took 11 marks and is a really solid player. That won’t be the best game he will ever play, I can assure you.”
TOM WILLIAMSON (No.61, 2016 draft)
Age: 18 Height: 188cm Weight: 80kg Games: 10
Maclure says: “I like the look of him. He has missed a few, but he looks like he could be a serious player.”
Cripps says: “He might be the steal of the draft (pick 61) by the looks of it. He is a beautiful left-foot kick and he takes the game on. He will be one of the back six who will be here for 10 years.”
JARROD PICKETT (No.4, 2014 draft — taken by GWS)
Age: 20 Height: 178cm Weight: 77kg Games: 6
Cripps says: “He is quick and still finding his feet. He still has a lot of work to do, but he will get there.”
CALEB MARCHBANK (No.6, 2014 draft — taken by GWS)
Age: 20 Height: 193cm Weight: 90kg Games: 21
Maclure says: “He’s out injured now, but I wouldn’t mind seeing him in attack at some stage. We’ve got plenty of defenders, so it would be good to see if he can try out down forward.”
Cripps says: “He’ll be a 10-year player, like Jacob Weitering and Lachie Plowman. They are all good marks and read the ball well.”
HARRISON MACREADIE (No.47, 2016 draft)
Age: 19 Height: 196cm Weight: 89kg Games: 6
Cripps says: “He has surprised me a bit. He is a good intercept marker and a nice kick. Wait until he gets another season under him and he gets bigger.”
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