We're only a month into the 2026 AFL season and it's already looking like being another grim one for Carton and its long-suffering fans.
It's well-documented, but in case you're unaware, there's been a distinct lack of success at Princes Park since the Blues' 61-point thrashing of the Cats in the 1995 Grand Final.
In the subsequent 29 years (not including 2026), Carlton has made the finals on 10 occasions and has not added to its premiership tally. Its win-loss finals record during this period is eight wins, 21 losses.
The Blues have made just one Grand Final since '95, that being 1999 when they lost to North Melbourne by 35 points. Carlton has played in two Preliminary Finals, four Semi Finals and two Elimination Finals.
Including the four matches the Blues have played in 2026, their win-loss record since lifting the trophy in the middle of the MCG on September 30, 1995, is 278 wins, five draws and 400 losses.
Blues fans have quite rightly had enough.
So, as we brace for another belting by Adelaide, who have had the wood on Carlton, winning 11 of the past 16 meetings by an average margin of 43 points, I've come up with seven things the Blues should do, both short and long-term, to turn the tide.
2Fix the drafting
Having missed the finals in 19 of the 29 complete years following the ‘95 premiership, the Blues have had plenty of high picks in the National Draft. Sadly, much like it's recruiting of players from opposition clubs, Carlton has, on the whole, failed when it comes to choosing young talent.
Sure, there has been a few hits, such as Matthew Kreuzer, Patrick Cripps, Jacob Weitering, Sam Walsh and Bryce Gibbs, but the bad far outweighs the good. Oliver Hollands was Pick 11 in 2022; Sam Philp was taken with Pick 20 in 2019; Liam Stocker was Pick 19 in 2018; 2017 was a disaster, with Paddy Dow selected at Pick 3 and Lachie O'Brien at 10. The year prior wasn't much better, the Blues taking Sam Petrevski-Seton at Pick 6, while Blaine Boekhorst at Pick 19 in 2014 was another abject failure. In 2010, Matthew Watson was chosen with Pick 18, and in 2009, Kane Lucas was the No. 12 selection. And way back to 2000, the Blues went for Luke Livingston at 4 and Trent Sporn with 11.
The ability to draft footballers that have elite kicking skills sticks out like a sore thumb, and pace clearly hasn't been a priority. These issues have been a problem at Carlton for years, and unless they are rectified, don't expect much to change.
