BLUES ON THE RISE
ALL THE PARTS COMING TOGETHER
AS the MCG gathers dust this weekend, I think it’s given us all a chance to have a think about the future.
Yes, the future. For some teams it is all about the near future — the finals
But for others it’s about off-field changes.
I believe there’s a club about to make a big move over summer.
It’s been in hibernation but is perfectly poised for a resurgence.
Carlton is on the brink of something fantastic.
So many of the elements are fitting together, and this off-season, the pieces should fall into place.
The captain, Patrick Cripps, has been named the AFL Players’ Association MVP. He was a runaway winner.
He’s only 24. This year he averaged 28 disposals, eight clearances, six tackles and 17 contested possessions a game.
He has also been named in the All-Australian team for the second time.
I don’t want to put the mozz on him, but a Brownlow Medal should be in his trophy cabinet by the end of his career, maybe even by the end of September.
Carlton fans should also be happy three Blues players made the AFL Players’ Association 22under22 team — Jacob Weitering at centrehalf-back, Harry McKay in the forward pocket and yesterday’s NAB Rising Star winner Sam Walsh on the wing.
Players who struggled to find a spot at the start of the year found new life when David Teague took over as coach from Brendon Bolton.
Sometimes it can just be a different coaching approach that reignites the fire for players, the new energy, renewed confidence.
I can see similarities between how Carlton is changing to how the Brisbane Lions changed when Chris Fagan took over.
The Lions are hosting a final next weekend.
Only a few years ago, Brisbane was a basket case. It’s a funny game, football.
Without changing the on-field team, an entire playing group can find a new energy.
At Carlton, the players seem unburdened, yet they’re the same ones who took to the field in Round 1.
I’m really interested to watch how Teague continues to develop these guys. Just like Fagan has with his young list up north.
For me, Carlton is the team to watch in 2020.