2022 Best 22 – Carlton Blues

Carlton are coming! Well that’s what they’ve been telling us for the last 20 years but is 2022 the year they finally turn decades of poor form around?

Carlton Blues Best 22

I’m going to start this off by saying I’ve probably got more chance of picking Saturday’s lotto numbers than the Blues Best 22. They would have to be one of the hardest teams to figure out who exactly is in their Best 22. They have a lot of similar type players and with a new coach at the helm, it’s mighty hard to make this assessment with any real confidence, but I’ll give it a crack nonetheless. 

With Liam Jones leaving the Club, Mitch McGovern has headed back to defence and from all reports is dominating in his new role. Here’s hoping Sam Docherty can stay healthy this year as he is more than deserving of a spot on the half back flank if he is. Liam Stocker showed some promising signs last year and holds his spot in the side. He does have a little pre-season niggle so we’ll need to monitor how he’s tracking.

Zac Williams and Ed Curnow should get first crack on the wings, however Williams may find himself in the backline if Docherty misses, while Curnow will have to make every game count as he battles Father Time and a youthful list. Matt Kennedy holds his spot after a great end to 2021 but he to will have to show some good early season form. Charlie Curnow is a moral to start at CHF. Let’s just hope he can remain fit. Jack Martin is another who needs a big year. After a poor 2021, he’s in the side by the skin of his teeth. 

Zac Fisher starts in the forward pocket but will have blokes like Matt Owies, Jesse Motlop or Josh Honey gunning for his spot.

Adam Cerra starts straight in the guts, while other new arrival George Hewett will rotate through the midfield, coming off the bench. Tom De Koning is the future of that Blues midfield so gets the nod over Marc Pittonet while Lewis Young finds his place in the side as cover for both ruck and in defence. As much as I’m keen on De Koning long term, I do think Pittonet will play more than a handful of games this year to help ease the burden on the young ruck.  

Caleb Marchbank is another talented player who has had too many injury issues but on best form he deserves his spot in the Blues side. Dos told me he’d give me $50 if I put Paddy Dow on the bench, so I have.

But in all seriousness, the Blues have a glut of average half forward, wing, onballer types. You could easily substitute players like Will Setterfield, Jack Newnes or Lachie Fogarty in for many of the Blues second stringers. 

If you can, avoid drafting any Carlton player that isn’t named Sam Walsh.

CBA prediction

2021 CBA leaders (by average):

1. Patrick Cripps
2. Marc Pitonet
3. Sam Walsh
4. Tom De Koning
5. Ed Curnow
6. Matt Kennedy

The Oracle’s 2022 CBA prediction:

1. Sam Walsh
2. Patrick Cripps
3. Adam Cerra
4. Tom De Koning
5. George Hewett
6. Marc Pittonet

Kick-in prediction

2021 kick-in leaders:

1. Nick Newman
2. Adam Saad
3. Jacob Weitering

The Oracle’s 2022 kick-in prediction:

1. Nick Newman
2. Sam Docherty
3. Adam Saad