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“Built with straw”: The element of Carlton’s game that could hold them back in 2025
Andrew Slevison • March 3rd, 2025 11:55 am
Can you genuinely contend with a questionable defence?
That was the key question posed by David King when assessing Carlton ahead of the 2025 season.
The Blues last year conceded 1952 points at 84.8 per game which was the fifth leakiest defence in the competition.
That is why King is concerned.
He is a massive fan of Jacob Weitering but is worried about what else Blues coach Michael Voss has at his disposal from a defensive standpoint.
King asked on SEN Breakfast: “Can you compete with a defence built with straw?
“That sounds harsh, but even with (Nic) Newman in there last year they were the fifth worst points against. That’s a profile that doesn’t allow you to compete.
“Weitering is a total star. But who is around him?
“There’s a gap at centre half-back, Adam Saad one on one is so gettable, the Ollie Hollands experiment will last six weeks, I just don’t see that being viable.
“I like Jack Silvagni down there, Mitch McGovern just misses too much footy, is Nick Haynes still the same? Jordan Boyd and Lachie Cowan are going to be ok, but you need great support around them. Brodie Kemp I like as a player but they’re now playing him forward.
“I don’t know if you can compete with the better teams in the competition with a defence that can’t withstand serious heat.
“I just don’t think that it’s been seriously addressed.”
On the flip side, the Blues scored heavily in the home and away season in 2024 with a total for score of 2151 at 93.5 per game - the fourth best in the competition.
But in King’s mind they need to find a better defensive balance if they are to be taken as a serious premiership threat in 2025.
Carlton, fresh off a 58-point AAMI Community Series win over GWS, kicks off its 2025 season against Richmond at the MCG on Thursday, March 13.
