JUST PRIOR to the start of Carlton’s winning run, Patrick Cripps felt as though there was a shift.

It was the second half of the game against Brisbane, and there was a noticeably different feel to the Carlton side. Harry McKay was having a bigger influence as a second ruck, Will Hayward was hitting the scoreboard in another week on the wing, Billy Wilson had shown flashes in his first game of the season… and Adam Cerra shifted out to the wing.

That’s been a move that’s stuck ever since. While it’s not entirely new to Carlton’s No.5, it’s been his longest stint in the position, certainly throughout his time in the Navy Blue.

As is often the case with Cerra, it’s not only what he himself is providing to the team, but also what he’s allowing others to do.

By “sacrificing” his own natural inside game (in the words of Carlton assistant coach Leigh Adams), Cerra is fitting the profile of the modern-day winger, while also seeing a different mix go through centre ball-ups at the feet of Marc Pittonet.

Speaking to Carlton Media this week, Cerra spoke of how the move came about in the early stages.

“It was probably in the Brisbane game where I got exposed to more wing time and ever since, my role has shifted to the wing with a bit of half-back. I’m playing a different role for the team, I’m trying to develop my game out there and help out where I can,” Cerra said.

“I’ve played there in the past before, but I’m getting more continuity with it now, playing there week in and week out… You see the game through a different lens, and it’s helped with a bit more game sense and communication out there.”

While he’s not getting his biggest numbers from a disposals standpoint, Cerra is continuing to impact games and give his side balance around the ground. 

Always lauded for his defensive bias by his teammates, the unlikely wing partnership of Cerra and Hayward in recent weeks has been a complementary one, with a more settled on-ball dynamic also getting results. Only Lachie Cowan and Nick Haynes have taken more intercept marks for the Blues than Cerra since his role shift.

Adams detailed the decision-making behind Cerra’s shift, highlighting how a drop in between-the-arc stoppages across the AFL in 2026 saw the Blues needed to find a different inside midfield group from previous years.

“We wanted to have a different look at our midfield mix, which we saw earlier in the year with even George coming out of the team for a bit. We felt like it was an opportunity to get more of Sam Walsh and Jagga Smith in there, plus to a lesser extent Benny Ainsworth as well - they’re playing the modern game really well,” Adams said.

“‘Cez’ has got such good flexibility that we can put him anywhere and he’ll play his role to a strong level. He’s so disciplined and diligent with his role, and he fits the modern winger that can run, is deceivingly good overhead and has good contest. He’s a really smart footballer that just adapts.

“It’s also allowed everyone else around him to excel, allowing 7-8 players in the team to play to their strengths more from him sacrificing a bit of his individual game. He’s doing it really well at the moment.”

While it may not be a permanent shift in regards to the long term, Cerra’s impact in his new role has come as no surprise to long-time teammate Sam Walsh.

Pointing to not only what Cerra provides with ball in hand, but also his leadership out on the ground, Walsh said one thing that hadn’t changed with Cerra was his commitment and consistency in the defensive side of the game.

Highlighting the midfielder as one of those individuals who is very much the ultimate professional, Walsh - as co-vice captain - said Cerra was one of those teammates that everyone at IKON Park could look towards.

“He’s always had a very calming presence which he brings to our team and he sees the game so well. What has always been a hallmark of his game is he’s able to get back defensively and help his teammates - it’s been so consistent from him since he came to the Club.

“I think there are a lot of things he doesn’t get the praise for outside the Club, but we know he feels valued within the four walls. As a leader of the footy club, people look at him with how he approaches each week - he’s a real one to look up to for not only the younger boys, but also the older boys as well.

“The biggest thing that he’s always done is been an absolute pro and gone to work. You look at the character of how people deal with certain situations: he’s gone to work, he’s attacked his career and he’s reaping the benefits of all of that.”