The momentum Carlton carried towards the end of the 2019 AFL season might have some Blues fans thinking a premiership flag is around the corner.
But an AFL insider has dropped a bit of a reality check.
The Age's Chief Football Writer, Jake Niall, gave his insights in a 2020 Carlton preview, and concluded that despite the big strides the club made last year under new coach David Teague, he doubts they will make the finals this season.
"They won seven games last year, most of them in the back-end, so I think the supporters are up and about and think they'll be storming to the flag within the next few years," Niall said.
"I think they'll go close to winning 9-10 games, but I don't think they'll make the eight. I've got them in that 12th-14th bracket."
Teague lit a fire in the belly of the Carlton squad after he took over as head coach, and led the team to be one of the most exciting playing groups in the AFL.
But in 2020 he will be under more pressure to deliver, and won't be given many excuses from supporters.
"I don't think there's such thing as a honeymoon at the Carlton Football Club," Niall said.
"It's a tough gig at Carlton because expectations are now on Teague. The pass mark this year I'd say is 10 wins. If he does that, he's done a great job."
In the off-season the club made some huge acquisitions, with Marc Pittonet (Hawthorn), Jack Newnes (St Kilda), Jack Martin (Gold Coast) and former Blues fan favourite, Eddie Betts (Adelaide) all brought to Carlton.
Betts' impact will be felt immediately, says Niall, even if he's not there on long-term deal.
"Eddie Betts...the fans love him, and he'll help, particularly the young indigenous players," Niall said.
"He's not obviously going to be there very long as a player, but he'll kick a few goals and excite the fans and he'll help some of their younger players, which is most of their list.
"Then they've got Marc Pittonet from the Hawks as a ruckman and that was a very interesting acquisition. Of course that's his insurance for Matthew Kreuser who gets injured quite a lot.
"But Jack Martin from the Suns, that's a very big ticket item.
"He's on a massive contract to get him there, because they had to get him through the draft, at least in the first couple of years it's a very front-loaded deal - about $1 million in the first year - and then it trails right off.
"As all high-priced recruits, you come in and they expect a lot."
Carlton also cleaned up in the draft, selecting Brodie Kemp (#17), Sam Philip (#20), Sam Ramsay (#47), Josh Honey (rookie), and Fraser Phillips (rookie).
The retirement of Dale Thomas was a major loss, but there's still plenty of quality in their attack.
"Patrick Cripps is close to the best player in the competition," Niall said.
"If there's a better player it might only be in my view Dustin Martin, possibly Nat Fyfe.
"Charlie Curnow, if he can get back and play in that forward line that would make a huge difference. Harry McKay is a player they can kick to, he's got the 200cm wingspan and he can really mark the ball. He needs to improve quite significantly though."
Niall named Sam Petrevski-Seton as the club's big improver ahead of the 2020 AFL season, and he's also predicted a resurgence for Sam Docherty.
"I actually went to the practice match against the Pies and he looked very good," Niall said.
"He was running around beautifully and there were no signs of any issue with his knee of course having done it twice in a row. If he does stand up he will stabilise that back line enormously, which I think has been one of their weaker points."
Carlton will begin their 2020 campaign against Richmond on March 19 at the MCG.
from WWOS http://wwos.nine.com.au/afl/carlton-blues-2020-afl-season-preview-patrick-cripps-jack-martin-eddie-betts-david-teague/bd2e3492-9f63-4c54-a690-b22647b19bb7
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