Should the Baggers be Premiership favourites?
Despite numerous selection changes owing to injuries, Carlton defeated the GWS Giants by 19 points in round six, improving their season record to 5-1.
Carlton’s superstar Patrick Cripps led the way with 39 disposals, while his second-in-command Sam Walsh was electrifying in only his second game back from a major back injury, recording 35 touches.
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The win over the Giants puts the Blues in fourth place on the AFL ladder heading into a difficult month of games against the Cats, Pies, Dees, and Swans.
But North Melbourne champion David King thinks they could be the genuine deal.
“I think they’re the complete model at the moment, Michael Voss has done an amazing job of getting this club to be one,” King said on Fox Footy’s First Crack.
“They are a club in unity, I love what they’ve done under Michael Voss.”
The Blues had 13 players unavailable for selection against the Giants due to one of the competition’s longest injury lists.
“It doesn’t matter who represents them, they’ve got more players on the side than most,” he remarked.
“It didn’t matter that they weren’t there because the system stacks up and the belief is there.”
Adam Cerra, a silky midfielder, and Mitch McGovern, a devastating half-back, are expected to return in the next two weeks, but tiny forwards Jack Martin and Jesse Motlop will have to wait a month.
The Blues have not finished in the top four in 24 years, but King feels this could be the year they break the streak.
“This year, it might be MCG, MCG, and then who knows?
“I really think that they are the profile and united club charging at this next opportunity – get excited Carlton fans.”
King feels the Blues will look different in 2024.
“Every week we see something different, their evolution from being a team who wanted to bash the opposition and win the hard way, they were always difficult to play against, but you could move the ball and they relied on some talent here and there to save them,” added the Fox Footy analyst.
“Sometimes victory is only a look; you don’t have to ask or demand anything; you just look in the other person’s eyes to know they’re on your side.
“I think that’s happening at Carlton, I’m so excited with what they’ve been able to do.”
Former St Kilda champion Leigh Montagna agreed with King, saying Carlton’s ability to win through a variety of methods distinguishes them from the rest of the league right now.
“They can win in a variety of ways; they can win defensively, by scoring, they’ve improved their turnover game, they win close games, and if all else fails, they have some star power that can carry them over the finish line if necessary.
“There’s no hoping at Carlton anymore, it’s lets just do what we’re here to do and lets be diligent and professional enough to support one another,” he said.
The Blues played two finals at the MCG last year before an unfortunate trip to the Gabba for the preliminary final, but if they keep this hot streak going, they will finish in the top four and play home finals at the MCG.
Who knows what happens next?
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