The 2010's
The big question on everyone's lips as we headed into this decade was "Would the Blues use the spur of a disastrous previous decade to move ahead and return us to Premiership Glory?"For sure, the 2000's had been a horrific stretch for the Blues, but now, we had a list that could do something promising, led by - in our view - the best player in the league in Chris Judd. With the last of our record losing streaks broken in 2010, the future looked bright...
The decade began well enough, with successive finals appearances in 2010 - 2011 (following on from 2009 ), with each year ending with heartbreaking away losses. The Blues were close to Top 4, but not quite good enough. It seemed the Blues were gradually improving and poised to strike, so much so that for the start of season 2012 we publicly announced a Top-4 target and indeed after a stunning win over the Pies in Round 3, we were Premiership Favourites. Alas, soon after, the season fell apart, so much so that we missed the finals for the first time since 2008 and Coach Brett Ratten would finish up after 120 games in control.
In the wash-up Carlton announced that 3 time Premiership Coach Mick Malthouse would take the reins for season 2013 and beyond. A Legend of the Game, the view seemed to be that his experience and leadership was the missing link to a return to Premiership Glory. After a solid 2013, where we made the finals, Carlton's list and performance appeared to disintegrate, firstly down the ladder but also with senior players leaving or retiring. As 2015 came along, Carlton lost Legend Chris Judd to injury and then retirement before a horrific run of form and structure saw Carlton win our fourth Wooden Spoon, so soon after our last tragic period. With Mick Malthouse departing, the Blues again set out on a long rebuild through a new young coach.
The Blues then seemed to stumble upon an idea. Let's rebuild. Let's rebuild properly. Under a new and young coach Brendon Bolton and President Mark Lo Giudice, the Blues recruited 'back' Legend Stephen Silvagni as List Manager and the rebuild began again. A sold first year in 2016 provided some credible hope, beofre a flatter 2017 and an injury riddled 2018 brought the 5th Spoon (our second for this decade). Yet genuine hope existed in 2019...