A chaotic off-season saw Carlton part ways with its two-time Coleman Medal-winning forward and bring in five players from other clubs as the club seeks a September return.
The 2025 season itself was one of disappointment, falling out of the top eight and looking some way from contending for a flag just two years after reaching a preliminary final.
Where they stand in 2026 will be fascinating, with the departure of Charlie Curnow openinga gaping void in Michael Voss' front third.
While the Blues didn't find a key forward replacement, they did sign Swans gun Will Hayward, who headlines a quintet of fresh faces on the list.
Carlton will also have 2024 Pick 3 selection Jagga Smith at their disposal after his maiden season in navy blue was over before it could begin, having gone down with an ACL injury last pre-season.
With plenty of personnel change and a number of senior Blues players needing to show their worth this year, we take a look at Carlton's best 23 for 2026.
Best 23
FB: Harry Dean, Jacob Weitering, Nic Newman
HB: Adam Saad, Nick Haynes, Oliver Hollands
C: Jagga Smith, George Hewett, Adam Cerra
HF: Ben Ainsworth, Harry McKay, Will Hayward
FF: Jesse Motlop, Brodie Kemp, Zac Williams
FO: Marc Pittonet, Patrick Cripps, Sam Walsh
I/C: Lachlan Cowan, Oliver Florent, Campbell Chesser, Francis Evans, Hudson O'Keeffe
Stiff to miss: Liam Reidy, Mitch McGovern, Blake Acres, Lachie Fogarty, Matthew Cottrell, Cooper Lord, Ashton Moir
