Can Carlton repeat Richmond’s rise from bottom-eight battler to premiership contender?
Richmond, Brisbane and the Bulldogs have enjoyed meteoric rises from outside the top eight to premiership contention in the past four years. After a positive finish to 2019, is Carlton next?
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Carlton veteran Kade Simpson says the Blues have taken hope from the sharp rise of three of the club’s AFL rivals from bottom-eight battlers to flag contenders.
The Blues have not featured in finals since 2013, when they reached a semi-final from ninth after Essendon was booted from the top eight.
But there is a renewed sense of optimism at Princes Park after Carlton rose from 1-10 to win six of its 11 games under David Teague.
While the Blues have endured a barren run, winning 26 of a possible 110 games in the past five years, Simpson said the Tigers and Bulldogs had shown how quickly teams could surge into contention.
Richmond finished 13th with eight wins in 2016 before its breakthrough flag, while the Bulldogs were 14th two years before their drought-breaking premiership.
“I think the last few years have proven that,’ Simpson said.
“I think Richmond before they sort of did their quick jump, they were sort of outside the finals and (coach Damien) Hardwick was looking like he was going to lose his job.
“I think that definitely gives us a lot of hope.
Everything can change really quickly and the work we have put in this pre-season I think is going to hold us in good stead.”
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Brisbane Lions had a worse five-year record than Carlton — 24 wins from 110 games between 2014-2018 — before rocketing to second last year.
Former skipper Marc Murphy said he was confident of playing a major role for the resurgent Blues and backed Simpson to excel in his 18th campaign.
“I think Simmo had a great year last year and we still feel like we’re really important to the side,” Murphy said on Triple M.
“The more that we can go well it’s easier for our younger guys and easier for them to play their role as well.”
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The return of fan favourite Eddie Betts has been one of the catalysts for the positivity surrounding the club as it prepares for its first full campaign under Teague.
“He’s just been great for the whole club in general,” Murphy said.
‘Our young players, he’s a bit of a superstar Ed and the boys are loving training with him at the moment and playing with him.”
Co-captain Sam Docherty is due to make his return from two knee reconstructions on Saturday against Fremantle.
Jack Martin will also make his Blues debut against the Dockers.