Carlton's 2022 review: The Hope, the Hurt and the Clanger

Carlton's 2022 season just reads as this: heartbreak, sorrow and pain.

The Blues looked set to lock away a finals position for the first time since 2013, when the club were brought into the top eight following Essendon's drug saga resulting in the Bombers being removed from September.

However, a poor second half to the year meant Carlton's year wouldn't finish in any glory and instead devastation.

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New senior coach Michael Voss opened his account by breaking a 10-year loss in against Richmond in the opening round.

A new air had breathed into the Carlton faithful.

Wins against 2021 runners-up Western Bulldogs and Hawthorn in consecutive weeks got their campaign off to a flyer, with twin towers Harry McKay and Charlie Curnow combining for 15 goals in that time.

Skipper Patrick Cripps was also a short-priced favourite for the Brownlow at this point of the season, averaging 32 touches, two goals, eight clearances and six tackles a game.

However, reality struck and slammed the Blues back to earth, as Gold Coast stunned them at Metricon Stadium by 30 points.

A fortnight later, Voss' men travelled to Perth to take on competition leaders Fremantle in a highly anticipated match.

This was supposed to be an early preview into a finals matchup and Carlton didn't show up.

Going down by six goals, the Blues fell to 4-2 after round six.

However, the side would then come up against North Melbourne, Adelaide and GWS in consecutive weeks, providing an opportunity to gain some form and put much-needed wins on the board.

Carlton won all those games by an average of 42 points, as Curnow and McKay continued to star.

Another crucial two weeks was about to ensue as Sydney and Collingwood were in waiting heading into the mid-season bye.

In a Friday night thriller, the Blues managed to down the Swans on the back of Curnow's six goals and extended their win streak to four.

A traditional Sunday afternoon clash between two of the oldest rivals in our game, the Magpies taking on Carlton at the MCG.

Arguably a season-defining clash for both sides, the black-and-white army came in full voice as their club was beginning a stellar win streak.

The Blues wanted to enter the week off with form and sit 9-2, well entrenched in the top four.

However, a major blow to full back Jacob Weitering put Carlton's year in jeopardy, as the club quickly turned into one of the best defensive units in the competition.

Aside from looking too far ahead, Collingwood managed to break the game open and were leading by 23 points midway through the final term.

Goals to Curnow and Matt Owies proved vital in Carlton's surge, whilst an errant shot by Jack Silvagni would've been the perfect end to a well-written script, however faded right of the goals.

The Pies prevailed by four points.

Sitting 8-3, the next six weeks was an interesting stretch of games, with the club splitting the wins and losses, including a win against the Dockers but a loss to the underperforming Saints.

At this point, the Blues were two games clear in the eight with five rounds remaining.

Dates with the Giants and Crows to prepare for a tough three-week span to end the season was a nice pre-cursor into Carlton's potential.

GWS were knocked off with relative ease but Adelaide proved to be a problem and was what started the ultimate demise of Voss' side.

After round 19, Carlton still sat two games clear in the eight. Round 20, only one game clear.

The way the draw worked, the Blues needed to only win one game given those other clubs vying for positions in the eight were coming up against genuine contenders.

Brisbane took control of the round 21 clash with Carlton up at the Gabba, leaving little to no hope of an upset.

Facing the reigning premiers the following week, the Blues took it right to Melbourne and were within a chance to win and essentially book themselves a spot in the finals.

However, heroics from Jake Melksham (four goals) and a last-minute goal from Kysaiah Pickett meant Carlton would have to beat arch-rivals Collingwood in a round 23 epic.

Entering the last round a game clear and 1.1 per cent, the Western Bulldogs needed to win by 12 points or more, while the Blues had to lose by the same margin in order for Carlton to miss the eight.

The Dogs held up their end of the bargain, defeating Hawthorn by 23 points. Now it was over to another traditional Sunday afternoon at the MCG.

The Pies led the entire first half, until an 8-goal blitz in the third term to one by Carlton saw the Blues lead by four majors at the final change.

Carlton fans could spell September and were within touching distance, however, were weary of the Collingwood comeback.

Their fears were met with reality, as the Pies put on five goals to six behinds, with Jamie Elliot breaking hearts yet again.

Another opportunity goes begging as Carlton missed the finals yet again.

Cripps was joined by Curnow and Adam Saad in the All-Australian team to soften the blow.

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The Hope

Charlie Curnow/Harry McKay

Well, what can we say about these two.

Curnow and McKay's first full year together turned out to be arguably the best pairing since wine and cheese were invented.

The former won the 2022 Coleman Medal with 64 goals, while the later was the recipient of the award in 2021 and slotted 45 majors this year, combining for 109 goals.

The pair combined for more majors than any other duo aside from Jeremy Cameron and Tom Hawkins (119), with both men proving to be absolutely devastating for opposition sides and the general feeling is they will be for another decade.

Curnow (25) returned from injury that kept him to 15 games across two years to play in every match in 2022 and proved to be one of the deadliest weapons under Voss.

Carlton fans should be excited by the prospect of these two in the finals, as we're expecting bigger and better things in 2023.

Playing list

The Blues playing list is something to be excited about, with plenty of young talent all over the ground.

At the start of 2022, Carlton were the 11th oldest team (24.2 years) and 14th experienced (60 games), with majority of their best 22 between the ages of 22-28.

These are the prime years and where most players will hit their strides.

The Club has one player over the age of 30, Ed Curnow, as the club has built a sustainable list for the foreseeable future.

2021 premiers Melbourne had an average age of 24.6 while boasting 65 games of experience, while the year prior, Richmond was 24.1 on average and had 69 games under their belt.

So it's safe to say that the Blues are entering that sweet spot but it's what they do with it that'll define their careers.

The Hurt

Big men down injured

Injuries to key players in the Carlton lineup throughout the season arguably halted their finals chances, as the club missed September yet again.

Marc Pittonet was the first crucial casualty to go down, becoming victim of a PCL injury in round six and missing 14 weeks.

McKay was the next to go, following a tear in his lateral meniscus in the week of round eight, missing six weeks.

Then Weitering, Carlton's most valuable player, in round 11 against Collingwood, hurt his AC joint in his shoulder, missing five weeks.

Round 22 & 23

Narrow losses in general will sting, as you know you were so close to snatching victory.

However, in the manner that Carlton did, this hurt will last a while.

In the remaining two rounds, the Blues needed one victory to play finals for the first time since 2013.

However, a four point loss to Melbourne and a one point loss to Collingwood, both of which Carlton should have won, is disheartening.

As it was for the Bulldogs, out of their hands, the Blues had it all in theirs and they blew it, literally.

Leading the Pies by 24 points with one quarter to go and giving up the margin might mean the club isn't ready for the big moments.

The Demon game, Carlton kicked 3.6 in the final term, squandering chance after chance.

It's safe to say they can only blame themselves.

The Clanger

Missing finals

The Blues were in the top eight all year except when it mattered most.

For the first time in 45 years, ironically it was Carlton to do so, that a club has been in the eight all season but somehow missed out in the final round.

In 1977, the Navy Blues were also privy to his unique and at the same time, gut-wrenching statistic, as it's a reminder of the missed opportunity.

What do Carlton need?

Faith and belief.

Carlton have put together a nice list over the past few seasons, acquiring George Hewett and Adam Cerra last year, as well as Pittonet, Nic Newman, Saad, Zac Williams, Lewis Young and Matthew Kennedy from other clubs.

While they have the soldiers and potentially the game style, it seemed at times in 2022 the players themselves didn't have belief in what they could achieve.

Starting the year so brightly, the sky was the limit for Voss and his men, only for it to be shattered in the final two rounds of the season.

With plenty of star power all over, the Blues shouldn't be too hard on themselves for missing the finals, but more realise what it takes.

The heartbreak of 2022 will bode well for the young side and provide them with extra motivation going forward.

It would be to no surprise if they were to jump into premiership contention in the next year or two.

Players linked to the club

Blake Acres has been reported to want out of Fremantle, with the winger looking for a better deal at a third AFL club.

Carlton have been linked with the Docker who is currently exploring his options.

Griffin Logue is another Docker who appears to be shopping around for a better contract and is out of contract at the end of the year.

Fischer McAsey is all but down at IKON Park from 2023 onwards, with the former pick 10 getting little opportunities at Adelaide.

2022 out-of-contract players

Retirees and Delistings

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