Carlton Blues - SC Outlook 2026

Carlton 2025 SC scoring: 

For 

SC points for = 1653 (9th)

Average 100s scored = 4.5

Average 120s scored = 1.4

Against 

SC points against = 1647 (9th hardest)

Average 100s conceded = 4.0

Average 120s conceded = 1.6

Who dominated the 2025 CBAs:

Patrick Cripps 80%

George Hewett 77%

TDK 68%

Shittonet 68%

• Carlton don’t really move their main two mids out of the CBAs often so it was really Cripps and Hewett with one of Walsh or Cerra for most of the year.

• Cooper Lord showed he can be a handy defensive mid tackling machine in the last month of 2025 and you’d expect Jagga Smith to also join the rotation to make it 6 guys instead of 4, which they need if they are to improve.

• Obviously TDK goes out and is likely replaced by Shittonet with Liam Reidy the backup, who has also done a bit of training fwd pre-Christmas which indicates they might play 2 rucks if they can.

• The big watch for SC is whether free agent Sam Walsh can stay fit and become a viable keeper or if he breaks down again.

• Jagga Smith is likely to be in most teams, so let’s hope he can have a in injury free season and join the midfield rotation.

Kick Ins 2025:

Adam Saad 42%

Mitch McGovern 21%

Oliver Hollands 13%

• Opposition supporters had to endure the super annoying “woof” way too often in 2025 with Saad taking the bulk of the kick ins. Surprisingly, he only played on 62% of the time.

• Nick Newman returns and will be a popular pick in 2026 but if 2024 is any guide it might still be a shared kick in role.

• With the blues also adding Olli Florent I dare say there will be lots queuing up to get the cheap stat but on the bright side, the ball will probably (hopefully) be down that end plenty to share it around 🤣

Fixture:

Play twice:

Brisbane (2nd), Collingwood (8th), Fremantle (11th), Western Bulldogs (6th), St.Kilda (13th) and Richmond (17th)

*Rankings are based on avg points against in 2025

• Carlton have a fair spread of SC opponents with 3 of the hardest to score against and 3 of the easiest to play twice.

Byes:

Round 2

Round 14

• Two byes sharing with Collingwood, Brisbane and Geelong in their early bye followed by Collingwood, Fremantle and Hawthorn in their mid season bye make Carlton another tricky team, needing to be selective when choosing who to select and avoid based on who they share a bye with. 

• Carlton and Collingwood sharing both byes might be unique, and it could make it hard to select too many from both clubs, which, let’s be honest, is probably a bonus 

Projected Top Scorer from each line

Nick Newman Def $439,300

• The injury discount makes Nick Newman very appealing. He has a proven SC history, but coming off a knee and an ageing uncontested style defender could be a risk. The upside is Carlton don’t have many safe distributors down back and Newman is at least pretty good with ball in hand.

George Hewett Mid $607:300

• Hewett rewarded owners in 2025 with a massive 112 average and in the first half of the year was an awesome POD. His value is he plays accountable on opposition midfielders so there is never a tag risk.

• There is a chance Sam Walsh could return to SC premo status if he can get his body right. He will likely be a more popular starting pick than Hewett, given he is $543k.

Mark Pittonet Ruck $407,700

• Shittonet will be the main ruck at Carlton but that likely spells trouble for their winning chances, so I’m all for it. No one is going here I wouldn’t think. 

Harry McKay Fwd $466,700

• With no Curnow Harry will likely have to stay as the main focal point in the front half, which could see his scoring reduce slightly, but there just isn’t any other Carlton forwards on the list that could challenge for their top forward, barring injury 

Nick Newman Def $439,300

• I’ve already written about him in the Defender spot above. If he can average 90+ the price tag would be worth it. It is a risk, but it might be one worth taking, using him early and waiting for a fallen premo to trade into at a discount.

A couple of notable mentions - Oliver Florent Mid $327,100, Cooper Lord $324,200 and Campbell Chesser Mid $273,600

• Cooper Lord interests me a lot if he keeps his midfield role from the last month of the year.

Rookies:

Jagga Smith Mid $119,900

• Jagga will be one of the highest owned in SC in 2026. Coming off a knee in his first season, the number 3 pick will be part of the midfield rotation if he is healthy and at basement price, is a must pick.

Liam Reidy Ruck / Fwd $119,900

• Seems a lock for R3 at basement price. With only Shittonet ahead of him, Reidy wouldn’t need much to go right for him to end up solo ruck and given the Blues also traded Curnow there is every chance they use Reidy forward in spurts as well. Could be a great ruck / fwd toggle with Sam Draper to add great flexibility in our teams.

Others to keep an eye on :

• Harry Dean Def $194,500, Jack Ison Mid $113,000, Lucas Camporeale $177,500,