The 5 Year Plan: Carlton
The numbers for the players are their approximate ages in 5 years time. Of course, trades, injuries, drafts and unexpected retirements will affect what players are still around in 5 years. But this might be the core of the team when season 2011 starts.
FB A Bentick 26, S O'hAilpin 28, B Thornton 27
HB B Fisher 27, P Bower 23, A Walker 25
C K Simpson 27, L Blackwell 24, S Grigg 23
HF J Waite 28, J Kennedy 24, J Russell 24
FF E Betts 25, B Fevola 30, N Stevens 31
Foll S Hampson 23, M Murphy 24, B Gibbs 23
bench L Whitnall 32, C Benjamin 23, C Ackland 29, A Carrazzo 27
Outlook: Could Fevola actually be there in 2011, it might be that he isn't even there for 2008. Whitnall and Stevens are other players who may not make it that far into the future. The last two drafts have brought in a lot of players who should become important players. Hampson, or possibly Jacobs who they drafted in the recent rookie draft, should be the starting ruckman there in 5 years time. Murphy, Gibbs, Grigg, Blackwell and Simpson should be a solid midfield group with good skills and versatility. Setanta O'hAilpin could be joined by his brother Aisake, currently on their rookie list, in the Carlton backline. Setanta O'hAilpin will need some more height around him in the backline, and if Bower or Thornton are not enough then possibly Waite will need to be played down back too. Kennedy could develop into one of the best centre half forwards in the AFL by 2011, and the future success of Carlton may depend on Kennedy more than it does their young midfielders.
FB A Bentick 26, S O'hAilpin 28, B Thornton 27
HB B Fisher 27, P Bower 23, A Walker 25
C K Simpson 27, L Blackwell 24, S Grigg 23
HF J Waite 28, J Kennedy 24, J Russell 24
FF E Betts 25, B Fevola 30, N Stevens 31
Foll S Hampson 23, M Murphy 24, B Gibbs 23
bench L Whitnall 32, C Benjamin 23, C Ackland 29, A Carrazzo 27
Outlook: Could Fevola actually be there in 2011, it might be that he isn't even there for 2008. Whitnall and Stevens are other players who may not make it that far into the future. The last two drafts have brought in a lot of players who should become important players. Hampson, or possibly Jacobs who they drafted in the recent rookie draft, should be the starting ruckman there in 5 years time. Murphy, Gibbs, Grigg, Blackwell and Simpson should be a solid midfield group with good skills and versatility. Setanta O'hAilpin could be joined by his brother Aisake, currently on their rookie list, in the Carlton backline. Setanta O'hAilpin will need some more height around him in the backline, and if Bower or Thornton are not enough then possibly Waite will need to be played down back too. Kennedy could develop into one of the best centre half forwards in the AFL by 2011, and the future success of Carlton may depend on Kennedy more than it does their young midfielders.
