Brisbane v Carlton: At least the Blues have sewn up the number one pick

Tom Naghten

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Brisbane v Carlton: At least the Blues have sewn up the number one pick image

You can probably pencil Carlton in for the spoon after Saturday's performance against the Lions at the Gabba.

The Blues were already holding up the ladder but a 65-point loss to fellow cellar dwellers Brisbane just about confirmed they'll have the number one draft pick come November.

Carlton coach Brendon Bolton had been talking tough during the week, but a limp performance from his charges gave Blues fans little to smile about.

The usual suspects in Patrick Cripps and Charlie Curnow provided some resistance, but Carlton were thoroughly outclassed by Brisbane who came into the match with just two wins for the season.

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Brisbane had the seven highest possession getters on the ground, including Dayne Beams who racked up 40 touches.

Fox Footy's David King said the effort from Carlton showed a club lacking in direction

"Carlton went 50 minutes without a goal against a team that's won two games all year," King said.

"You have to question whether Carlton fans are seeing enough.

"I know we keep talking positives and we're trying not to whack Carlton because they're at the bottom of the table for a reason, it's a rebuild, we understand that, but there were periods today where they were non-competitive.

"There's times when you've got to say 'who are we as a football club?' because Carlton fans are starting to waiver now. This club needs direction.

"It's not just about Brendon Bolton being there and saying 'okay, throw tomatoes at me', it's about the club saying 'this is where we're going, we're not waivering in our direction but we need more from the players.'

"That was unacceptable today."

Having not played in a final since 2013, long-suffering Blues fans are losing patience with a rebuild that seems to be going nowhere.







If there is a positive to come out of this season, Carlton will get first crack at Jack Lukosius, the talented South Australian key forward who has been hailed as the best prospect since Nick Riewoldt.

At this rate they may even be a chance for a priority pick if they asked for one.

The Blues will certainly have some thinking to do heading into draft night, with a host of clubs sure to be keen on trading up to the first pick.

Charlie Curnow's emergence as one of the most exciting young forwards in the game has been a bright spot in a rough season so far, but would the Blues be mindful of his presence when weighing up whether to draft Lukosius?

Fox Footy's Jason Dunstall thinks the Blues lack of quality across the board should see them select the best available talent.

"They're going to have more than one pick anyway, but I want the best player," Dunstall said.

"I want to see some stars in this Carlton line up...they've got so many holes.

"I worry about their spine as well, if (Jacob) Weitering doesn't come on...up forward you've only got Charlie Curnow at the moment so their spine genuinely worries me."

20-year-old key defender Weitering was the Blues most recent first selection and he has yet to kick on in the way the club would have liked after a promising first season at senior level.

The Blues will face a resurgent St Kilda side next Friday night but on Saturday afternoon's evidence, look a long shot to add to their one win for the season.

Tom Naghten

Tom Naghten Photo

Tom Naghten is a senior editor at The Sporting News Australia where he's been part of the team since 2017. He predominantly covers boxing and MMA. In his spare time, he likes to watch Robbie Ahmat's goal against the Kangaroos at the SCG in 2000.