Carlton 2026 Season Outlook: Reset in Motion

The change has been significant. Charlie Curnow was traded to Sydney. Tom De Koning and Jack Silvagni joined St Kilda. Sam Docherty retired. In come Will Hayward and Ollie Florent from Sydney, Campbell Chesser from West Coast, Ben Ainsworth from Gold Coast and Liam Reidy from Fremantle. Father son defender Harry Dean headlines the draft class.

This is not a full rebuild, but it is no longer business as usual.

Carlton improved their ball movement last season, ranking near the top of the league for transition from defensive 50 to forward 50. The problem was conversion. They finished near the bottom for shots per inside 50 and scores per entry.

Too many attacks ended in shallow, predictable entries. With Curnow gone, the habit of bombing long to a dominant aerial target cannot continue. This season is about whether Michael Voss can modernise the final phase of their offence.

The midfield remains strong. Patrick Cripps and George Hewett drive clearance work, while Sam Walsh and Adam Cerra still have scope to lift their influence.

Hayward adds forward movement and structure. Florent brings outside run. Ainsworth provides pressure. If delivery improves even marginally, the forward line should function more efficiently around Harry McKay.

Defensively, Jacob Weitering anchors the backline and Harry Dean represents the next phase. The spine is not broken.

The forward mix is unproven. McKay becomes the focal point and the supporting cast is built on potential rather than certainty.

The ruck division is thinner without De Koning. The midfield, while competitive, has not consistently translated clearance wins into scoreboard dominance.

If the structural issues inside 50 persist, territory alone will not be enough.

Carlton win clearances. The next step is connection and creativity. Jagga Smith’s return is significant. If he becomes part of the primary rotation, it signals a shift toward pace and skill rather than pure contest.

How Voss manages centre bounce minutes will indicate whether this is a reset or a final push with the existing core.

Carlton project as a mid table side with volatility. They should remain competitive most weeks, but forward efficiency limits their ceiling. They are more appealing as weekly match ups rather than strong premiership or top four investments.

Their realistic range sits between ninth and thirteenth. Finals are possible, but structural improvement matters more than ladder position in 2026.