HOW does 2019 shape up for the Navy Blues?

The outlook for the upcoming year became much clearer with today’s fixture announcement. Carlton - and the rest of the competition - found out the who, what, when, where, why and how of 2019.

So what does it all mean?

Carlton will double-up against two finalists from the 2018 season, with minor premier Richmond waiting in Round 1 and then in Round 21. Similarly, the Blues will play Sydney early in Round 3, before travelling to the SCG in Round 17.

On the flip side, the Blues will also play two games against Gold Coast (Rounds 4 and 18), the Western Bulldogs (Rounds 5 and 13) and St Kilda (Rounds 10 and 22).

View fixture and sync to calendar

Carlton will boost its frequent flyer points early next year, with six games interstate: interestingly, four of those come in the first nine games. 

The Blues will travel to New South Wales (twice), Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia, as well as a trip down the highway to Geelong in Round 23. 

It means the Blues will play in nine different venues for the second straight season.

With 16 games across Saturday and Sunday afternoons, it’s a return to traditional timeslots for the Blues in 2019. It will see the Blues have four six-day breaks next year, with one of those entering the interstate trip against the Swans. 

Alternatively, three eight-day breaks and one nine-day break will hold the Blues in good stead in the middle portion of the season. 

It’ll be somewhat of a new-look Blues in 2019, following the acquisition of four players in the trade period. 

It won’t take long for Mitch McGovern to return to South Australia, with the Blues playing Port Adelaide in Round 2 at Adelaide Oval — it is also scheduled to be McGovern’s 50th game.

Carlton’s newest forward will have to wait until a Round 19 clash at the MCG to take on his former side. 

Similarly, Nic Newman (Round 3 vs. Sydney), Alex Fasolo (Round 8 vs. Collingwood) and Will Setterfield (Round 9 vs. GWS) will have their eyes on their first games against their old clubs. Just as every Bluebagger will be eagerly awaiting the new season to come around.

140 days to go.