Is there a club going into the AFL season under more pressure than one of the great teams of yesteryear, Carlton?
Last year they burst out of the blocks winning eight of their first ten matches and seemingly certain to play in the finals series for the first time since 2013.
The Blues though limped through the last half of the season winning only another four games.
They and lost their last four matches including the last two narrowly to Melbourne and then Collingwood in the final game to miss the eight, much to the chagrin of their supporters.
On paper, everything looks set for the Blues and their coach Michael Voss.
They had five nominations for the All-Australian squad and three of those Adam Saad, Coleman Medallist Charlie Curnow and Brownlow Medallist Patrick Cripps made the team, they can also boast another Coleman Medallist in Harry McKay.
A rising star in Sam Walsh, a top full-back in Jacob Weitering and other capable players in Adam Cerra and Sam Docherty.
Their average age is the eight in the competition and they look set to rise up the ladder and play in the finals series in 2023.
How far could they go? A flag is not out of the question if everything worked out.
