Carlton 2022 preview: Season predictions for the Blues

Key recruits Adam Cerra and George Hewett will slot straight in but is there room for Carlton’s top pick from each of the past three drafts? See our best 22, plus full predictions.

Finals or failure: Blues must break 8-year drought in 2022

Carlton’s season last year was like a bad movie their supporters had seen too many times before.

Another season of unreached potential and unmatched expectations led to yet another coach given the axe.

The savvy hirings of CEO Brian Cook and coach Michael Voss have given the Blues a new sense of optimism as they head into 2022.

The question still begs however, is it for real this time?

Will Hogan looks at Blues ahead of 2022.

Michael Voss is the new man in charge for the Blues. Picture: Getty Images

WHAT HAPPENED IN 2021?

It’s fair to say it was a year to forget for the Blues as they failed to make the finals for the eighth year in a row and sacked yet another coach, this time David Teague after just two seasons in charge. The main criticism was of the side’s poor defensive record while possessing one of the more talented young lists in the comp. To put it frankly the Blues underperformed given where their list profile is at after topping up with Adam Saad and Zac Williams in last year’s trade period.

COACH: Michael Voss

CAPTAIN: Patrick Cripps and Sam Docherty

David Teague was the latest Blues coach to get the axe. Picture: Getty Images

WHAT HAPPENS IN 2022?

The new club president has already set the lofty expectations for next year - finals or failure. Yes Luke Sayers didn’t shy away from where he believes Carlton should be and it doesn’t give new coach Michael Voss much time to work his magic after being given a second chance as an AFL senior coach. Despite Sayers bold call given last year’s performance, he is right, the Blues have the talent on each line including two of the best young players in the competition in Sam Walsh and Jacob Weitering. Those two plus Harry McKay, a fit Charlie Curnow and Zac Williams as well as the addition of Adam Cerra and George Hewett should see the Blues play finals for the first time since Chris Judd was captain.

There is no doubting the talent on Carlton’s roster. Picture: Michael Klein

BIGGEST IMPROVER IN 2022?

Those behind the scenes at Ikon Park have always been big fans of Tom De Koning and he still has plenty of scope to be better. 2020 was a breakout year before injuries ruled out the first half of 2021. A full pre-season and a consistent string of games and we will see why he is so fancied internally.

X-FACTOR

Zac Fisher - an injury-cruelled year meant Fisher didn’t reach the heights we saw in 2019 but he’s a crucial cog in the Blues forward structure. In a tough half-forward position Fisher has the tricks and speed to break lines, accumulate possessions and hit the scoreboard. There’s no reason he can’t average 15 disposals and two goals a game - he does that and the Blues make the top 8.

COACH STATUS

Michael Voss will go into his first game in Navy Blue on a three-year deal which will provide some form of comfort for the former Power assistant. The Blues hierarchy will have to show some patience given it’s near entire cleanout of assistants along with a new senior but they’ll be desperate to see glimpses of early season momentum. Voss will be given time to make the Blues sing but at the back of his mind will be the fact Mick Malthouse, Brendon Bolton and David Teague all went within three years.

OUT OF CONTRACT

Sam Walsh is the headline out of contract player for the Blues next year and is the first name fans want to see re-sign. The longer it’s put off the higher anxiety levels of the Blues faithful will reach but a player who is a future captain, there’s no signs he’s keen to leave Princes Park. The only reason for the delay would be haggling over the financials and Walsh surely deserves to demand a hefty asking price.

Sam Walsh, Paddy Dow, Caleb Marchbank, Nic Newman, Lochie O’Brien, David Cuningham, Corey Durdin, Tom Williamson, Ed Curnow, Josh Honey, Jack Carroll, Alex Mirkov, Luke Parks, Matthew Owies, Jordan Boyd, Oscar McDonald, Matthew Cottrell

Blues fans will be sweating on Sam Walsh’s signature. Picture: Getty Images

INS FOR 2022

Adam Cerra (traded – Fremantle), George Hewett (free agent – Sydney), Lewis Young (traded – Western Bulldogs), Jesse Motlop (pick no. 27), Dominic Akuei (category B rookie)

OUTS FROM 2021

Eddie Betts (retired), Levi Casboult (delisted), Michael Gibbons (delisted), Marc Murphy (retired), Sam Petrevski-Seton (traded – West Coast), Sam Ramsay (delisted)

FIRST SIX GAMES AND HOW MANY THEY WIN

Rd 1: Richmond @ MCG (W)

Rd 2: Western Bulldogs @ Marvel Stadium (L)

Rd 3 :Hawthorn @ MCG (W)

Rd 4: Gold Coast @ Metricon Stadium (W)

Rd 5: Port Adelaide @ MCG (W)

Rd 6: Fremantle @ Optus Stadium (L)

Prediction: 4 wins 2 losses

BEST 22 IN ’22

B: Stocker, Weitering, Newman

HB: Saad, McGovern, Williams

C: Hewett, Walsh, Dow

HF: J.Martin, C. Curnow, Fisher

F: Silvagni, McKay, E. Curnow

Foll: Pittonet, Cripps, Cerra

INT: De Koning, Young, Setterfield, Newnes

SUB: Kemp

EMG: Plowman, J. Motlop, Owies, Honey

#Sam Docherty will return to the team when he is fully healthy.