Carlton FC 2023 AFL Preview & Predictions

<p>As far as late season fade outs go, Carlton produced one of the all-time greats in 2022.</p> <p>They somehow managed to miss out on finals footy despite seeming to be a sure thing for the top 8 a month out from the conclusion of the regular season.</p> <p>They were sitting pretty until they faced Adelaide in round 20 - cue an implosion for the ages. The Blues then lost their last four games in row, including snatching defeat out of the jaws of victory in their final game of the season to ensure they missed out on the finals by a solitary point.</p> <p>Despite this late season meltdown, there were periods throughout 2022 where Carlton played footy at a truly elite level.</p> <p>However, in this game consistency is key and that is something the Blues will have to get right in 2023 if they are to shake the demons of last season and qualify for the finals.</p> <p>Can they do it? Or does another season as the best of the rest await? Read on for the best Carlton tips and predictions for the upcoming AFL season.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Key Gains</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li><em><strong>Blake Acres (Fremantle)</strong></em></li> <li><em><strong>Jaxon Binns (No. 32 draft pick)</strong></em></li> <li><em><strong>Alex Cincotta (Supplemental selection period)</strong></em></li> <li><em><strong>Lachie Cowan (No. 30 draft pick)</strong></em></li> <li><em><strong>Oliver Hollands (No. 11 draft pick)</strong></em></li> <li><em><strong>Harry Lemmey (No. 47 draft pick)</strong></em></li> <li><em><strong>Hudson O’Keeffe (Supplemental selection period)</strong></em></li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>While Carlton have signed a host of players to improve the overall depth of their squad, only one is tipped to go straight into the starting team and have an immediate impact.</p> <p>That man is winger Blake Acres who has been signed from Fremantle in an attempt&nbsp; to fix the Blues long-standing wing issue.</p> <p>Like a single guy on a night out Carlton has been crying out for a decent wingman for a while now.</p> <p>Coming off the back of his best season in the AFL to date, the hardworking Acres has been selected as the man to help set Carlton up on a date with finals footy.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Key Losses</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li><em><strong>Will Hayes (Delisted)</strong></em></li> <li><em><strong>Oscar McDonald (Delisted)</strong></em></li> <li><em><strong>Jack Newnes (Delisted)</strong></em></li> <li><em><strong>Luke Parks (Delisted)</strong></em></li> <li><em><strong>Will Setterfield (Essendon)</strong></em></li> <li><em><strong>Liam Stocker (Delisted)</strong></em></li> <li><em><strong>Tom Williamson (Delisted)</strong></em></li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>There are no huge losses for Carlton ahead of the new season.</p> <p>Established first-grader Will Setterfield has been traded to Essendon after falling out of favour at the Baggers, while a number of reserve players have been delisted.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

<h3>Carlton Player To Watch</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Patrick Cripps</strong></em></p> <p>As the reigning best player in the league, current Brownlow Medallist Patrick Cripps is not only the player to watch at Carlton, but the player to watch in the entire AFL.</p> <p>After being promoted to the full-time captain of the club at the start of last season, Cripps decided to lead by example on the field.</p> <p>His influence was felt the most when he wasn’t on the field. Cripps missed the Blues’ final two games of the regular season through suspension and we all know what happened there.</p> <p>The midfielder is the heartbeat of the entire organisation and will no doubt be looking to make amends for his late season suspension by getting Carlton’s 2023 campaign off to the best possible start.</p> <p>It’s always exciting to see how a Brownlow Medallist performs the next season and Patrick Cripps is no exception. He’ll be one the one to watch for the Baggers this season for sure.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Carlton Season Prediction</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em>Predicted finish: <strong>6th</strong></em></p> <p>Carlton are already looking like a stronger team than the one that finished last season with four straight losses.</p> <p>For starters their key forwards Harry McKay and Charlie Curnow have both completed full pre-seasons and are all set to line up together after passing each other like two injured ships in the night.</p> <p>Each of these goal scoring giants seemed to take turns being injured while the other one was fit.</p> <p>Having them both on the field together at the same time is a scary proposition for opposition defences.</p> <p>On top of this they seemed to have solved their wing problem with the acquisition of Blake Acres, meaning Carlton will be a more well rounded and potent outfit going forward.</p> <p>Finally with Brownlow Medallists and club captain Patrick Cripps back on deck after serving his suspension, Carlton are primed to start the season on fire.</p> <p>However, it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. If they’ve learned their lesson from last year’s fade out and can maintain their composure for the whole duration of the season, the Blues should make the finals and comfortably at that.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Carlton’s Best 22</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>B:</strong> Mitch McGovern, Jacob Weitering, Sam Docherty</p> <p><strong>HB:</strong> Zac Williams, Lewis Young, Adam Saad</p> <p><strong>C:</strong> Sam Walsh, Adam Cerra, Blake Acres</p> <p><strong>HF:</strong> Jack Martin, Charlie Curnow, Zac Fisher</p> <p><strong>F:</strong> Corey Durdin, Harry McKay, Matt Owies</p> <p><strong>Foll:</strong> Tom De Koning, Patrick Cripps, George Hewett</p> <p><strong>I/C:</strong> Jack Silvagni, Jesse Motlop, Matt Kennedy, Nic Newman</p>