IN AN otherwise difficult year, the big positive for Carlton in 2025 was the emergence of their younger players. 

With seven AFL debutants over the course of the campaign, the Blues backed in their youth all throughout the season, starting with Lucas Camporeale’s first game in Round 1 and ending with Billy Wilson and Flynn Young’s debuts in Round 16.

Come the final game of the season, six of those seven featured in the win over Essendon, with only the impressive Harry O’Farrell missing due to injury.

Reflecting on the year that was, captain Patrick Cripps and co-vice captain Jacob Weitering said they were big reasons behind the team’s shift in energy in the latter stages of the season.

“You definitely saw them grow. Seeing them smile makes you reflect on when you were a young fella, but also think of the people that helped you along your journey,” Cripps said.

“And it made us reflect on how we can help these guys, build some energy, harness their energy and understand why we play. That really helped me.”

For Weitering, the emergence of his new locker buddy was central to that - despite how O’Farrell’s year ended back at Optus Stadium in Round 21.

“If you as leaders can invest in those guys, it’s amazing how it pays you back in the long term. Harry O’Farrell was a big part of that for me - you see yourself a little bit in the way they go about it off the field and on the field.

“He’s playing with so much instinct - pure footy instinct - and enjoying his football.”

From a midfield perspective, Cripps loved the signs shown - for very different reasons - by two best mates who are yet to play together in the Navy Blue.

“In terms of why I’m optimistic, someone like a Jagga Smith. Eating out of the palm of anyone’s hand, he’s so highly driven: that excites me, because I know he’ll complement what we’ve got around the ball really well.

“And Cooper Lord came in, got exposure and played some really good footy.”