{"id":389755,"date":"2026-01-03T21:35:11","date_gmt":"2026-01-03T21:35:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/389755\/"},"modified":"2026-01-03T21:35:11","modified_gmt":"2026-01-03T21:35:11","slug":"selecting-every-afl-teams-best-23-for-2026-carlton-blues-afl-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/389755\/","title":{"rendered":"Selecting every AFL team\u2019s best 23 for 2026: Carlton Blues – AFL News"},"content":{"rendered":"


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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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Where they stand in 2026 will be fascinating, with the departure of Charlie Curnow<\/a> openinga gaping void in Michael Voss’ front third.<\/p>\n

While the Blues didn’t find a key forward replacement, they did sign Swans gun Will Hayward<\/a>, who headlines a quintet of fresh faces on the list.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Carlton will also have 2024 Pick 3 selection Jagga Smith<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Defenders<\/p>\n

Viewed as the weaker third of the field for the Blues, who have continued to be heavily reliant on All-Australian tall Jacob Weitering<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The club’s search to find him support was aided by Nick Haynes’ arrival, however the ex-Giant turns 34 in May and might be entering his last season.<\/p>\n

Harry O’Farrell<\/a> showed promise across half-a-dozen games in his debut season, only for an ACL injury to end his campaign and potentially wipe out his entire 2026.<\/p>\n

Father-son draftee Harry Dean<\/a> looks to be the answer though, having emerged as the highest-picked key defender in a draft since Weitering went No.1 overall over a decade ago.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Vic Country talent is ready to go, and should benefit from the presence of Weitering and Haynes beside him.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"MELBOURNE,MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JULY 09: Harry Dean of the Blues Academy trains during a Carlton Blues AFL training session at Ikon Park on July 09, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Voss’ ground-level options will also be bolstered as veteran Nic Newman<\/a> eyes a return from a year on the sidelines. Ollie Hollands was strong in his absence, and the pair could now combine as the club’s distributors from defence.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Ex-Swan Ollie Florent and Eagle-turned-Blue can also slot into flank or wing roles and may be used at half-back, while Lachie Cowan is a solid intercepting option who can be accountable for both tall and small opponents.\u00a0<\/p>\n


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