In 2018, the Carlton Football Club had one of their worst seasons in recent memory. On the positive side, however, they can only really get better from here. After committing to a brutal list rebuild at the end of the 2014 season, the Blues have slumped to win two wooden spoons in four years, and a fan-based starving for success is beginning to grow in patience. In patience, however, could be argued, was a factor in the club's unsuccessful rebuild after 2002. With the recruitment of Chris Judd, the Blues felt obvious pressure to drive immediate results, and as such, probably didn't round out their list well enough to launch a serious premiership tilt. That's why, it is critical that they do the job fully this time. In Pat Cripps, Carlton have a generational talent around whom they can build their midfield. With Ed Kerno and Mark Murphy aging, it has become evident that the Blues desperately need to add to their midfield stocks. With prospects like Fisher and Petrovsky Seaton looking at this stage, like half-forward midfielders, the Blues probably need to add genuine full-time midfielders to their list. They went about addressing these needs via both the trade table and the draft. The Blues made bargain-price deals for former first round draft picks, Will Setterfield and Matthew Kennedy from the Giants. Furthermore, they invested very early draft picks into pattyed out, Locky O'Brien, Sam Walsh and Liam Stocker. Their live trade with the Adelaide Crosse of the 2018 draft has been widely debated in the ensuing weeks. The Blues swapped future first rounders with the Crosse in exchange for pick 19, which they used to select Liam Stocker. Some have criticised Carlton for essentially trading two later first round picks for what could potentially be a top two pick next year. But if it is true that the Blues rated Stocker as the sixth best prospect as has been reported, then this trade could present considerable value. Personally, as a big fan of Stocker, I think the Blues will benefit a lot from having made the deal now to get that extra year of development into their first rounder. Rather than waiting another year to get that opportunity. In terms of the key position players on their list, Carlton are relatively well-stop. Up forward, they form a top ten picks in Charlie Kuno and harrowing the Kai. While both are young, Kuno in particular has shown flashes of genuine talent. At the other end of the ground, Caleb Marshbank, Locky Plowman and Jake Weedering take up the tall defensive posts. No one could deny the talent of that trio, although a former number one pick Weedering probably needs a big year. In terms of general defenders, Kate Simpson and Sam Dockety are among the best on offer. However, with Dockety out for the year with his second ACL and Kate Simpson quickly approaching the end of his career, this is an area of the ground that may need some attention, despite the recruitment of Nick Newman from Sydney. Having not scored more than 100 points in a game since round 11, 2016, the Blues are in desperate need of scoring power. That's why the addition of former Crow Mitch McGuvern makes sense. We also threw a Lifeline to struggling forward Alex for solo. Between he, Jared Gallard and Jared Pickett, the Blues will be hoping to unearth a genuine small forward in the near future, or the scoring power issues may continue. In summary, it appears to me that the Blues are finally starting to get all the pieces of the puzzle in place. They may require extensive development, but for the first time in years, they may actually have the talent on their list to push forward for a rise up the ladder. The midfield talent in particular is beginning to take shape, but a lot relies on the development process in place in order for them to succeed at the elite level. Melbourne during the early 2000s should serve as a cautionary tale for a rebuilding club who have the talent on their list, but don't develop them properly. Thanks for watching this video. If you enjoyed it, please consider liking. Feel free to comment below where you think Carlton will finish in 2019. If you want more AFL-related content just like this, please consider subscribing. Thanks. I'm Carlton.