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.
5Develop resilience
Being overrun after leading has become such a common occurrence that the players are mentally broken. Who, when the momentum swings against, puts their hand up and says, ‘Not today, not on my watch. We're not letting this happen again'? I don't see it from the leaders - Patrick Cripps, Sam Walsh and Jacob Weitering, nor is it exemplified by some of the other experienced players, such as George Hewett, Harry McKay, Mitch McGovern and Zac Williams.
I'm sure the club is working with a sports psychologist, but it doesn't appear to be hitting the mark, and I would encourage the Blues to reach out to someone like Ben Crowe or Emma Murray. Both have a proven track record with high performance teams and individuals regarding confidence, self-belief and resilience to perform under pressure.
