Carlton list analysis: Every player’s contract status beyond 2022
Carlton’s list looks strong on paper but after missing the finals in agonising fashion, which players have the biggest upside to end the Blues’ top eight drought?
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There was no big splash from Carlton list boss Nick Austin at the end of a season where the Blues fell agonisingly short of finals but looked as good as they have in a long time.
After a series of raids in recent years netted Carlton the likes of Adam Saad, Adam Cerra, George Hewett, Marc Pittonet and Jack Martin, the 2022 trade period was a deliberately quiet one.
They secured Dockers wingman Blake Acres and offloaded fringe midfielder Will Setterfield to Essendon, but Austin was otherwise focused on retention.
“It was great to get (Acres) in nice and early; he’s certainly going to help our football club,” Austin said.
“It’s a really targeted role on that wing and we had some good conversations with Fremantle, who were fantastic to deal with – as they were last year with Adam (Cerra) – and we were able to facilitate that deal nice and early.
“We think we’ve added to our group and keep building on what was created last year.”
Carlton won’t have to worry about where the goals will come from for close to a decade after locking away twin towers Charlie Curnow (2029) and Harry McKay (2030).
In fact, most of the Blues’ stars are committed well beyond next season, with Sam Docherty and Tom De Koning the top re-signing priorities for the 2023 campaign.
Carlton plans to use four picks in the national draft and is keen to acquire another selection between their current top choices of 10 and 29.
“We’re really excited – not just for the first round but all of them,” Austin said.
“We want to rejuvenate the list and build some depth and the best way to do that is through the draft, so we’re excited … we’ll see where that takes us.”
JACK CARROLL
Age: 19 | Games: 5 | Status: Signed to 2024
Midfielder from Western Australia who is held in high regard at Ikon Park and inked a fresh two-year deal in April. Played the first AFL matches of his career this year, including winning 19 disposals and kicking a goal on debut in round 7.
ADAM CERRA
Age: 23 | Games: 94 | Status: Signed to 2025
The Blues gave up pick six in last year’s draft, plus change, to pouch Cerra from Fremantle and he was a good contributor in his first season in navy blue. Cerra averaged a career-most 23.3 disposals, finished 10th in the best and fairest and helped transform Carlton’s on-ball brigade into a strength.
PATRICK CRIPPS
Age: 27 | Games: 159 | Status: Signed to 2027
Cripps answered his critics in emphatic fashion, winning a thrilling Brownlow Medal count to put an exclamation mark on a bounce-back season. Amassed 30-plus touches six times in the first eight rounds to set the tone for an impressive campaign, after re-signing for six years in 2021. Will be desperate to lead the Blues back to the finals next season.
DAVID CUNINGHAM
Age: 25 | Games: 41 | Status: Signed to 2023
Sat out the entire season after suffering an ACL setback in his left knee in May last year, while calf issues also plagued him. Cuningham’s managed double-digit games just once in seven seasons since being the No.23 draft pick in 2015. But the Blues showed in the promising glimpses he has shown, giving him a one-year, prove-it deal in September.
CHARLIE CURNOW
Age: 25 | Games: 84 | Status: Signed to 2029
Was nothing short of spectacular this year after playing a total of four matches because of an ongoing knee problem across the previous two seasons. The athletic forward didn’t miss a game in 2022, kicking 64 goals to win the Coleman Medal. There is likely to be even better days ahead, which Carlton’s list crew must believe, too, given he signed a six-year extension in August until 2029.
ED CURNOW
Age: 32 | Games: 204 | Status: Signed to 2022
Knee and hamstring setbacks meant the older Curnow brother wasn’t sighted at AFL level this past season. Has been a very good contributor across 12 seasons as a Blue, and list boss Nick Austin confirmed in October he would receive another one-year deal. He may end up being delisted and redrafted as a rookie but that is to be determined.
TOM DE KONING
Age: 23 | Games: 41 | Status: Signed to 2023
Had a sink-or-swim moment when fellow ruckman Marc Pittonet suffered a mid-season PCL injury but mostly proved up to the task as Carlton’s No.1 big man in his teammate’s absence. Almost doubled his games tally in a career-best season and the Blues have already opened negotiations with De Koning’s management. Looks a future star.
SAM DOCHERTY
Age: 29 | Games: 144 | Status: Signed to 2023
Played every game and finished runner-up in the club champion award after beating testicular cancer for a second time. The inspirational defender also overcame back-to-back ACL ruptures that cost him the 2018 and 2019 season. Was considered unlucky not to be short-listed for All-Australian honours this year but that was the least of his concerns. A re-signing priority.
PADDY DOW
Age: 23 | Games: 63 | Status: Signed to 2023
Spent most of the year dominating in VFL ranks, with two of his senior appearances coming as an unused medical substitute. Didn’t find a new home in the trade period and faces an uphill climb to be a regular part of a deep Carlton midfield. The most important season of Dow’s career is ahead.
COREY DURDIN
Age: 20 | Games: 23 | Status: Signed to 2024
Entered this year with only two matches to his name but played all bar one game in the Blues’ 2022 campaign to establish himself in the senior side. Kicked only 15 goals and trailed off late in the season, so he has room to improve, but his defensive pressure was his calling card.
ZAC FISHER
Age: 24 | Games: 95 | Status: Signed to 2025
Long gone are the days when Fisher was briefly a fringe option, proven with his eighth placing in Carlton’s best and fairest award and the two-year extension he signed in July. The forward-midfielder should bring up his 100th match next season after playing all 22 for the first time this year.
LACHIE FOGARTY
Age: 23 | Games: 43 | Status: Signed to 2023
A back injury forced Fogarty to the sidelines during the season but he mostly toiled away at second-tier level when he was fit. Played only three AFL matches this year after making 17 appearances in his first season at Ikon Park in 2021. Will try to force his way back into the forward mix in a contract year.
GEORGE HEWETT
Age: 26 | Games: 135 | Status: Signed to 2025
A superb first season as a Blue ended prematurely because of a back injury, a problem that also caused him grief in his Sydney days. Assuming Hewett gets on top of the issue, he will continue to be a key cog in Carlton’s improved midfield. Averaged a career-best 28.5 disposals in 15 matches, enough for a top-five best and fairest showing.
JOSH HONEY
Age: 21 | Games: 11 | Status: Signed to 2023
Remains a fringe small forward option for Carlton but received another one-year deal in September to try to climb the pecking order. A pre-season knee injury put him on the back foot, so staying healthy will be the key for Honey. Kicked multiple goals in three straight matches in late 2021 to show his ability.
BRODIE KEMP
Age: 21 | Games: 6 | Status: Signed to 2023
The Blues’ raft of injuries to key defenders opened the door for Kemp, who played four times for the senior side this year. Has one more season to run on the two-year deal he signed in 2021 and there will be some urgency for the No.17 pick in the 2019 draft.
MATTHEW KENNEDY
Age: 25 | Games: 78 | Status: Signed to 2025
Kennedy had to wait until late September last year to receive a new deal for 2022 but within eight months inked a three-year extension. The ex-Giant won 30-plus disposals in each of the first three rounds and finished the season averaging 24.5 – more than six extra than he had ever managed. Now an important part of a strong midfield group.
CALEB MARCHBANK
Age: 25 | Games: 52 | Status: Signed to 2023
Played his first AFL match in 1069 days in round 13 after a torrid run of injuries, only to suffer a lateral meniscus tear in his comeback game. Made it back for the final three rounds and was rewarded with a fresh one-year contract but he will hope his cursed run is behind him.
JACK MARTIN
Age: 27 | Games: 135 | Status: Signed to 2024
Calf issues held Martin back this year but he produced glimpses of his best, kicking 12 goals in as many matches. Even still, he and the Blues will expect much more in the final two years of his contract after appearing only 38 times in his first three seasons at the club.
MITCH McGOVERN
Age: 28 | Games: 88 | Status: Signed to 2023
A transformation into an intercepting defender breathed life into McGovern’s career but a hamstring injury that later required surgery after a setback kept him to only seven matches. He played the last five rounds of the season and will aim to put his injury-marred run behind him in a contract year.
HARRY McKAY
Age: 24 | Games: 86 | Status: Signed to 2030
Couldn’t win the Coleman Medal for the second year in a row but still booted 45 goals in 19 outings while forming a lethal partnership with Charlie Curnow. The high regard he is held in at the Blues was evidenced in him agreeing to a monstrous seven-year extension before he was due to become a free agent in 2023.
JESSE MOTLOP
Age: 18 (turns 19 on November 23) | Games: 12 | Status: Signed to 2023
The pre-season buzz took a while to materialise but the crafty small forward was in the senior side for 12 of Carlton’s final 14 matches. Motlop’s three-goal breakout against St Kilda was his best game but he also twice had five tackles and looms as a long-term piece in the Blues’ puzzle.
NIC NEWMAN
Age: 29 | Games: 86 | Status: Signed to 2023
Another good year from the ex-Swan, who averaged almost 20 disposals down back for the second-straight season while playing 19 of 22 matches. Is a veteran these days and will hope to maintain his place in the team as Carlton pushes for finals and he guns for a new contract in 2023.
JACK NEWNES
Age: 29 | Games: 207 | Status: Delisted
Celebrated his 200th match against Fremantle in round 15 and was in the senior side 16 times this year. But there were warning signs of what was to come when the former Saint was named the medi-sub twice, as well as being dropped once, in the last five weeks.
SAM PHILP
Age: 21 | Games: 2 | Status: Signed to 2023
A big season looms next year for Philp, who has broken into the Blues’ AFL team only twice since being the No.20 pick in the 2019 draft. He simply hasn’t been able to stay healthy. A groin injury ruined the speedster’s 2021 campaign, then broken ribs added to his shocking run before a foot stress fracture ended his season this year.
MARC PITTONET
Age: 26 | Games: 41 | Status: Signed to 2023
Pittonet’s gone from limited opportunities at Hawthorn to being Carlton’s No.1 ruckman when he’s fit – but that wasn’t often this year. A back complaint cost him an early match but it was knee surgery for a PCL issue that severely interrupted his season. Will plan to resume his partnership with Tom De Koning next year.
LACHIE PLOWMAN
Age: 28 | Games: 144 | Status: Signed to 2023
There are interesting times ahead for the veteran defender, who was dropped twice last season and spent the last fortnight out of the senior side. Plowman still played 15 times but is chasing a new contract and will need a big pre-season to force his way into the best 23 for round 1, 2023.
ADAM SAAD
Age: 28 | Games: 152 | Status: Signed to 2025
Earned All-Australian selection for the first time in his favoured half-back spot and finished sixth in Carlton’s best and fairest award in a career-best season. No AFL footballer causes more damage with their run and carry than Saad, who averaged a personal-high 22 disposals and was strong defensively.
WILL SETTERFIELD
Age: 24 | Games: 57 | Status: Traded
Something had to give for Setterfield, who remained a fringe Blue in his fourth season at the club. Reminded opposition clubs of his ability with a 40-disposal outing in a VFL elimination final and he was later traded to Essendon in an exchange of late picks. He received a two-year deal at the Bombers.
JACK SILVAGNI
Age: 24 | Games: 99 | Status: Signed to 2023
Played 21 matches this year – as a forward and undersized relief ruckman – but his round 20 omission caused a stir, with Michael Voss preferring two specialist big men. Silvagni ended up being subbed into the contest and kept his spot after Marc Pittonet was managed then Tom De Koning was dropped. It’s a situation to monitor in 2023.
LIAM STOCKER
Age: 22 | Games: 28 | Status: Delisted
Drafted 19th overall in 2018 as a midfielder – and highly rated by ex-list boss Stephen Silvagni – but his senior opportunities came as a defender. An ankle injury delayed his start to this year and he has spoken about his mental health challenges, but his lack of endurance and speed were factors in him not being offered a new contract.
SAM WALSH
Age: 22 | Games: 81 | Status: Signed to 2026
Carlton’s young star made a swift recovery from pre-season syndesmosis surgery and averaged a career-high 32 disposals in 20 matches. Walsh, who re-signed for four years in February, was short-listed for All-Australian honours but didn’t make the final team, like he did in 2021. Walsh and/or Jacob Weitering loom as Patrick Cripps’ long-term captaincy successor.
JACOB WEITERING
Age: 24 (turns 25 on November 23) | Games: 133 | Status: Signed to 2025
Joins Sam Walsh as a Blues vice-captain and is one of the AFL’s best key defenders, who should earn plenty of All-Australian selections in the future. An AC joint injury sent Weitering to the sidelines for a month mid-season but he made the All-Australian 40-man squad for the second season in a row.
ZAC WILLIAMS
Age: 28 | Games: 136 | Status: Signed to 2026
Carlton is yet to get a good return from the ex-Giant, who played only nine games this past season because of a serious calf injury. The Blues appear to have aborted the Williams full-time midfielder experiment but they will hope he stays healthy and repays their faith in him next year.
TOM WILLIAMSON
Age: 23 | Games: 44 | Status: Delisted
Williamson parted ways with Carlton in July after taking personal leave a month earlier. The defender’s only AFL game this year was as an unused medical substitute against Richmond in round 1. Finished the season playing for North Melbourne’s VFL team.
LEWIS YOUNG
Age: 23 | Games: 43 | Status: Signed to 2023
Never played more than nine times in any of his five seasons as a Bulldog but made the most of his second chance at the Blues. Missed selection in the first fortnight then played 19 of 20 matches thereafter, with injuries to Mitch McGovern and Oscar McDonald opening the door. Played better the longer the year went.
ROOKIE LIST
DOMANIC AKUEI
Age: 20 | Games: 0 | Status: Signed to 2023
Carlton’s first-ever Next Generation Academy received a fresh one-year deal after playing 19 games for the club’s VFL side this past season. The 192cm category B rookie, who is of Sudanese heritage, played predominantly as a key defender and back-up ruckman.
JORDAN BOYD
Age: 24 | Games: 7 | Status: Signed to 2024
The 2021 mid-season draftee is proving well worth the punt. Boyd’s sharp kicking skills attracted him to the Blues and carried over to his seven senior appearances this year, with a foot injury ending his season early. He showed enough promise to earn a fresh two-year contract in September.
MATTHEW COTTRELL
Age: 22 | Games: 37 | Status: Signed to 2024
Another rookie list success story. Backed up his 14 matches last year with another 18 in the 2022 season, playing every game after winning 22 disposals in his round 5 call-up. Bounced between the forward line and midfield to be an underrated and versatile part of the Blues’ line-up.
SAM DURDIN
Age: 26 | Games: 23 | Status: Signed to 2023
The ex-Roo’s once-promising career, which started with him being a first-round draft pick in 2014, could easily have ended when he was delisted two years ago. But impressive SANFL form for Glenelg caught Carlton recruiters’ attention and resulted in him being a mid-season addition. The tall defender was extended for 2023 despite playing only one senior game.
WILL HAYES
Age: 27 | Games: 13 | Status: Delisted
Hayes’ unlikely second chance as a mid-season draftee after being cut by the Western Bulldogs saw him break in for two matches, including a 23-disposal outing in round 18. That was the wingman’s final appearance in navy blue and he faces an uphill battle to get back onto an AFL list.
OSCAR McDONALD
Age: 26 | Games: 86 | Status: Delisted
Started the year in Carlton’s senior side but wasn’t sighted after round 2, with back spasms the original reason for his omission. The ex-Demon and brother of Tom was unable to make it back from the setback, with the Blues announcing in May his season was over because of a back stress fracture. Worse news was to come when he was cut from the list after five matches in two years.
ALEX MIRKOV
Age: 22 (turns 23 on November 17) | Games: 0 | Status: Signed to 2024
The Blues quickly liked what they saw in the 210cm ruckman after he joined their VFL program in 2021, selecting him in the mid-season draft on an 18-month contract. Carlton then extended Mirkov for two more seasons in March, committing to his long-term development. Averaged 11 disposals, five marks and 31 hit-outs at second-tier level this year.
LOCHIE O’BRIEN
Age: 23 | Games: 60 | Status: Signed to 2024
May never live up to his top-10 draft billing but O’Brien shifted the narrative on him with a career-best season, including 19 senior matches. Carved out a niche on a wing, averaging almost 18 disposals and three inside 50s. His reward was a two-year contract after enduring a long wait in 2021 to find out if he even had a spot on the list.
MATTHEW OWIES
Age: 25 | Games: 31 | Status: Signed to 2024
Played a career-most 17 games this year and scored a two-year deal, along with promotion from category B rookie status. The Blues’ small forward corps were maligned in recent years but Owies formed a good combination with Zac Fisher, Corey Durdin and Jesse Motlop to help make the club more potent in attack. Led all Carlton players for tackles inside 50.
LUKE PARKS
Age: 21 | Games: 8 | Status: Delisted
The 192cm defender, who came from the Swans’ Academy, added only two games to his six from last year after being plucked from the SANFL in the rookie draft. Was unable to prove to the Blues’ list decision-makers that he was part of the future.
RECRUITS
BLAKE ACRES
Age: 27 | Games: 120 | Status: Signed to 2025
The ex-Saint returns to Victoria to play for a third AFL club after an impressive season for Fremantle. Carlton was keen to upgrade its wingmen and Acres fit the bill after averaging nearly 22 disposals and six marks. The Blues handed him a three-year contract believed to be worth a tick over $1 million across the length of the deal.
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