2026 AFL Season Outlook - Carlton Blues

Could I blame it on injuries? Yes. Could we blame it on coaching? Sure, but the reality is Carlton unperformed last year and they attacked this offseason to hopefully not have a repeat this season and do something different which I commend. Finishing the year in 11th at 9-14 would have been disappointing by their standards with the injuries and poor decisions plaguing last year highlighting the lack of depth that they had in key positions all around the ground 

Offseason Moves: 

IN – Ben Ainsworth (Trade from GC), Campbell Chesser (Trade from WCE), Oli Florent (Trade from SYD), Will Hayward (Trade from SYD), Liam Reidy (Trade from FRE), Harry Dean (Draft), Talor Byrne (Draft) and Jack Ison (Draft) 

OUT – Charlie Curnow (Trade to SYD), TDK (FA to BRIS), Corey Durdin (Trade to PA), Jack Silvagni (FA to STK), Jaxon Binns (Delisted), Alex Cincotta (Delisted), Sam Docherty (Retired), Orazio Fantasia (Delisted), Elijah Hollands (Delisted), Harry Lemmy (Delisted) and Will White (Delisted) 

Offseason Summary:

The big names out isn't a shock to anyone in the footy world but they do have some nice in’s. Charlie Curnow and TDK head the pack for key outs going to Sydney and St Kilda respectively and netting a really good haul in return for them with Will Hayward and 3 firsts for Curnow and 3x2nds is good value for sure and pick 9 for TDK while not having to pay him $1.7m a year is a good long term decision. The loss of Doch’s leadership is difficult and with Elijah Hollands not being a culture fit the outs aren't too significant with the in’s well filling the holes left. Florent for a 3rd, Ainsworth for a 2nd (ish) and Chesser for a 2nd are all very solid deals for where this team is currently at. While the moves were big in the offseason there is a light at the end of the tunnel, we don’t think it's a train just yet 

Predicted Lineup 

B – Saad, Weitering, Haynes 

HB – Newman, Young, Florent 

C – Walsh, Cripps, Hollands, 

HF – Ainsworth, Kemp, Hayward 

F – Williams, McKay, Motlop 

FOLL – Reidy, Hewett, Smith 

I/C - Shittonet, Cerra, Acres, Chesser, Lord 

Defender Review

The run power off half back that they will have will be elite with Newman returning and the inclusion of Florent but my biggest concerns for this team lie with the key defender position. Weitering is an amazing key defender but Lewis Young being the 2nd key defender and then the height falling off pretty hard with Nick Haynes at 192cm they can get exposed with the three headed monsters like Adelaide and Fremantle being undersized. Young Harry Dean will push for his chance in this lineup as his height could be more helpful should it be needed. 

Midfield Review

I have no idea if this midfield is top 6 or bottom 6 because when it works, god it is a good midfield. Cripps getting the clearance work with Walsh racking up touches for fun, Hewett tackling anything he wants and the inclusion of Jagga Smith who is a disposal machine it sounds scary but they just never put it together at the same time. Cerra’s body doesn't hold up, is Walsh’s back all good? Does Jagga come back from the ACL well? Too many questions around this midfield to love it as a unit for me but I see the idea. I am going to back in Reidy over Pittonet for the #1 ruck role but it will be up for grabs through out the preseason and the season but Reidy does suit the timeline much better than Pitto.

Forward Review

I like it. I don’t know if Carlton fans have come to terms with Charlie leaving yet but you got Will Hayward and 3 firsts for him and Hayward isn't a scrub. This guy has been really consistent being the 2nd highest goal scorer on a Sydney team in the last 2 years that typically uses its midfielders for goals. Harry McKay will give them something for the now, another key forward will need to be on the cards moving forward I would have to think. Crafty and cunning is the best way to describe the small forwards here with Williams, Ainsworth and Motlop all being great goal sneaks, Williams and Ainsworth known for getting up the ground but pushing back twice as hard will lead to good entries for F50. 

Players to Break in 

• Ashton Moir – Difficult to leave him out of the side here but Carlton may look to bring him in should they fully decide to embrace the youth movement and blood him with more games 

• Harry Dean – Pick 3 in the draft and fits the in between height for the defenders they have. His overhead ability could have him crack into the side in the early rounds if they are beaten in the air defensively 

2026 Prediction 

Ceiling – 12-11 (9th) 

Floor – 8-15 (14th) 

While they got worse from a skill perspective over the offseason they now have a more well rounded team with plenty of great players coming into this lineup. They will be hoping to make their way into the wildcard weekend but ultimately will fall short. Blooding the youth will likely being the game for them come the byes if they are under 6 wins. If they can’t be good at least they will be fun to watch the young kids get a run and there isn't much more we can ask for past that.