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.
3Solve recruiting (recycled players)
Picking up players from other clubs is common practice at Carlton, and in 2026, the Blues have 19 players on their list from other clubs - the most in the AFL.
Carlton was among the busiest clubs during the off-season, adding Will Hayward, Ollie Florent, Ben Ainsworth, Liam Reidy, Campbell Chesser, as well as Wade Derksen. Time will tell whether these signings are deemed a success.
The historical list of recycled footballers doesn't make for good reading.
Sam Kerridge, Jed Lamb, Lachie Plowman, Liam Sumner, Andrew Phillips, Caleb Marchbank, Jarrod Pickett, Phys Palmer, Darcy Lang, Aaron Mullett, Alex Fasolo, Orazio Fantasia, Jack Newnes, Lachie Fogarty and Lewis Young are just some of the players who have worn the navy blue after starting their career at another club.
There's been no shortage of big-money, high-profile recruits that have failed, including Mitch McGovern, Jack Martin, Zac Williams and Adam Cerra, and you can make your own mind up whether Adam Saad has delivered.
On the plus side, there's Chris Judd, who came to the club from West Coast at the end of 2007, and another former skipper, Sam Docherty, who commenced his career in Brisbane. Reigning best-and-fairest winner, George Hewett, has been tremendous in his five seasons at Princes Park since crossing from Sydney; former Giant Matthew Kennedy played some good footy in his seven seasons as a Blue before being sent packing (to the Dogs); and another one-time GWS player, Nick Haynes, has been serviceable in his 23-game tenure.
