Carlton’s Top 22

The Blues are back and ready to hit the 2010 season with a bang. After losing key forward, Brendan Fevola, Carlton will be looking towards some of their younger players to step up and fill the gap.

Here is a list of what I believe are Carlton’s current top 22 players.

However, with the calibre of this years team, four emergency spots were also required.

Here it is…

BACKS
Bret Thornton

2009 was one of his best for the club. Despite Carlton missing two key defenders for most of the season, Thornton stood tall as a leader for the younger backmen. He also led the Blues in marks and rebound 50s.

Michael Jamison

The tall defender can play on opponents of any size. Unfortunately, a shoulder injury ruled Jamison out for the second half of the season, including the finals. Jamison is solid in defense, and can often out mark his opponents.

Paul Bower

Bower is a strong defender who finds most success against his bigger opponents. Smart around the football, Bower has no fear in running off his man and taking the game on. With the inclusions of team mates, Jarrad Waite and Michael Jamison back in the line-up for 2010, Bower completes the four talls in defense.

HALF BACKS
Heath Scotland

Coming into his 11^th season of AFL football, Scotland has shown consistency throughout much of his career. Playing off half back is the perfect position for him, as he is smart with the football and effective in his disposal. Playing amongst a tall backline, Scotland provides more speed out of defense.

Jarrad Waite

Arguably one of the most important players for the Blues, Waite spent most of 2009 on the sidelines with a knee injury. Despite Carlton missing some key defenders last season, they were still able to make the finals. With Waite running the backline again, solid defense will be imperative in helping combat the loss of primary forward target, Brendan Fevola.

Andrew Carrazzo
Even with a broken arm in the pre-season, Carrazzo pushed hard to play early in the season proper. A broken finger in round six saw him on the sidelines for several weeks, but he bounced back and performed strongly throughout the remaining rounds.

CENTRES
Kade Simpson

Simpson has played every game for the club over the past four seasons, and has become an integral part of the Blues line-up. He is quick, smart and not afraid to hit packs and fight for the football.

Marc Murphy

Murphy has proven his ability with the Blues from the start. He has represented Australia in the International Rules series, has come runner-up in the Blues best and fairest for the past two seasons and was voted the best first year player by both the AFLPA and Carlton. A consistent and talented performer in the midfield, Murphy has cemented his place in the Blues line-up.

Mitch Robinson

After a flying start to the season, Robinson found himself sidelined with a foot injury. His ferocious attack on the football found him spend some time in the midfield, and impress team mates and fans alike with his strong tackling and contested hard ball gets. A solid body who will soon prove to be an essential player in the middle.

HALF FORWARDS
Chris Yarran

First round draft pick in 2008, Yarran is an exciting young player with exception skills. Limited to only a handful of games in 2009, Yarran is an evasive goal sneak with freakish skills and abilities similar to that of retired Demons and Freo forward, Jeff Farmer.

Sam Jacobs

The Carlton tall has played only four games for the club, but has shown that he is versatile both in the ruck and as a key position forward. Injury forced Jacobs to the sidelines for most of the AFL season, restricting him to spend the rest of the time in the VFL.

Ryan Houlihan

A versatile player who can play out of defense, through the middle, or up forward. Houlihan is a beautiful kick of the football, often hitting the chest of the lead-up forward. He is calm under pressure, and has the ability to bring his team mates into the game.

FORWARDS

Jeffrey Garlett

Rookie listed Garlett was promoted into the Blues line-up for the first game of 2009. Fast and accurate around goals, he is particularly dangerous around spillages. Throughout the AFL, Garlett is one of the best tacklers inside the forward 50m, finishing second overall.

Lachlan Henderson

A first round draft pick for the Lions in 2007, Henderson came to the Blues as a part of the Brendan Fevola trade. A strong forward, Henderson found himself regularly playing in defense at Brisbane. With the opportunity to spend more time in attack at Carlton, watch for Henderson to be the go-to-guy deep in the forward 50m.

Eddie Betts

Picked up in the 2005 Pre-season Draft, Betts has proven to be one of the Blues most effective forward pockets. Although Betts spent some time in the middle in 2009, he was still influential around goal, averaging almost two a game.

RUCKS

Matthew Kreuzer

Carlton’s number third consecutive number one draft pick, Kreuzer settled nicely into the number one ruck position in 2009. Able to push forward and kick goals, Kreuzer is a future star for the Blues. He is agile, strong in the air, and will put in second and thirds efforts to the advantage of his team mates.

Chris Judd

Is there anything Chris Judd hasn’t achieved in AFL football? Premiership – check, Brownlow Medal – check, Club Captain – check, All Australian Captain – check, Club Best and Fairest Awards – check, Represented Australia – check, Represented Victoria – check… and the list continues. On these achievements alone, there can be no doubt that Judd is listed as one of Carlton’s top 22. players.

Bryce Gibbs

A strong contributor to the Blues midfield. Gibbs led his club in disposals and kicks in 2009. He also finished second in tackles, handballs and inside 50s, and third in marks, rebound 50s and the clubs best and fairest. Gibbs has become a key element in the Blues midfield.

INTERCHANGE

Jordan Russell

Russell provides great run out of defense for the Blues. His endurance, run and carry is exceptional, and can hit a team mate on the chest. Russell finished sixth in Carlton’s best and fairest in 2009.

Shaun Grigg

Hamstring and ankle injuries saw Grigg miss over half the season in 2009. He is attacking out of defense and through the middle, and uses the ball accurately by both hand and foot.

Brock McLean

Although McLean was a consistent performer for the Demons, he still has to prove he has what it takes to run with the already established Blues midfield.

Richard Hadley

Former Lions premiership player, Hadley has had a lot of injury problems since coming to the Blues. He is courageous over the football and works hard all over the ground.

EMERGENCIES

Aaron Joseph

Joseph often receives somewhat of a tagging role in the midfield. He is tough and determined to win the football at every opportunity. Not afraid to put his body over the ball and tackle those who stand in his way. Joseph was only listed as an emergency in this top 22, due to the caliber of his other team mates.

Brad Fisher

Fisher is a tall forward with great endurance and a strong over head mark. Kicking accuracy needs some improving, but Fisher will be one of the players to watch out for this season.

Shaun Hampson

Hampson is a former soccer player and is very quick around the ground for a big man. The ruckman has a great leap and will become even more dangerous around the ground as his marking and disposals improve.

Simon Wiggins

In his 10^th season with Carlton, Wiggins has proved himself as a true clubman. Succumbed to injury midseason in 2009, before returning just before the finals series. Strong mark and a solid competitor, Wiggins is a real team player.