WITH the start of a new year comes a look forward to a number of prominent milestones for some of Carlton’s biggest names.

Here’s a glimpse of which Blues are in line for landmark games in 2021. 

Eddie Betts 

Milestone - 200 Carlton games + 350 AFL games 

It could be a year of double milestones for Betts in 2021. Having narrowly missed out on reaching 200 Carlton games in 2020, the fan-favourite need just one more game to hit this milestone in the coming year. 

After signing on for one more year in the Navy Blue, the famous number 19 could also reach 350 AFL games - needing to play in 19 for the magic number and just nine to move to third for most games played by an Indigenous player in AFL history. 

Marc Murphy

Milestone - 300 AFL/Carlton games

A true Carlton man. 

After receiving his AFL life membership in 2020, Marc Murphy will have the chance to further cement his name in Carlton's record books in 2021. 15 years after his AFL debut, Murphy needs just 15 games to become just the sixth Carlton player to play 300 games for the Club. 

It would be a fitting honour for the 33 year old who has proven to be one of Carlton's most reliable and important midfielders over the years. 

Ed Curnow  

Milestone - 200 AFL/Carlton games 

The inspiring football journey of Ed Curnow could have another chapter written in 2021.

Having worked his way from the rookie list of Adelaide, through the Box Hill Hawks and finally joining Carlton in the 2011 Rookie Draft, the tough inside midfielder needs 18 games in 2021 to record his 200th game. 

Liam Jones

Milestone - 150 AFL games

The reliable defender needs just eight games to reach the 150 game milestone.

Jones made the move from Whitten Oval after 66 games with the Bulldogs playing as a key forward before reinventing himself as one of the most consistent defenders in the competition for the Blues.

Fittingly, the 29 year old is likely to celebrate the milestone in Round 8 against his old team. 

Levi Casboult 

Milestone - 150 AFL/Carlton games, 150 AFL goals

The big man could be the second Blue to join the 150 club in two ways in 2021.

Casboult needs just nine games to record his 150th AFL game and just two goals to record 150 goals.

With his 150th goal, Casboult will join the legendary Mike Fitzpatrick and pass Alex Marcou on Carlton's all-time goal-scoring list. 

Jacob Weitering 

Milestone - 100 AFL/Carlton games

After a year where the star defender was unlucky to miss out on All Australian selection, Weitering will look to bring up his 100th game against traditional rivals Essendon in Round 8. 

Harry McKay

Milestone — 50 AFL/Carlton games

McKay took a big step forward in his own development as one of the best young forwards in the competition. Despite missing his partner in crime in Charlie Curnow in 2020, McKay once again led the Blues' goalkicking with his contested marking and movement off the play a real highlight of the year. 

A further 13 games in 2020 means that the young Blue is just two games short of his 50th game. 

Caleb Marchbank

Milestone — 50 AFL games, 50 Carlton games

The classy defender has had his injury troubles in previous seasons, which has made it a longer road to 50 games than he would have envisaged.

He’ll be hoping to get off the mark early as he’s just two games shy of the half-century.

Paddy Dow

Milestone — 50 games

Given how quickly he burst onto the scene, it’s easy to forget just how young Paddy Dow is.

After an injury-interrupted 2020, the 21 year old will be looking to reclaim his place in the Blues' best and reach his 50th game around mid-season. 

Matthew Kennedy

Milestone — 50 AFL games

Matthew Kennedy’s path has been very similar to that of Marchbank’s, who he joined at Carlton after originally starting out at Greater Western Sydney.

Kennedy found himself in-and-out of the line-up in 2020, but will hope to fight his way back for selection in 2021.

The Blue needs just two games to reach his 50th game. 

Watch out for: 

Sam Petrevski-Seton - 100 AFL/Carlton games (currently 80)

Sam Walsh - 50 AFL/Carlton games (currently 39) 

Will Setterfield - 50 AFL games (currently 36) 

Michael Gibbons - 50 AFL/Carlton games (currently 36) 

Lochie O'Brien -  50 AFL/Carlton games (currently 32) 

Tom Williamson - 50 AFL/Carlton games (currently 32) 

The streak continues: 

Three inaugural Blues will look to continue their perfect record in the Navy Blue. Darcy Vescio, Gab Pound and Alison Downie are all yet to miss out on a game for Carlton.

With the streak currently at 30 games, the trio will be keen on keeping a good thing going when the season starts against the Magpies at Ikon Park on 28 January. 

Potential debuts: 

Potential AFL debuts
Brodie Kemp; Sam Ramsay; Corey Durdin; Jack Carroll; Luke Parks

Potential AFLW debuts
Serena Gibbs; Courtney Jones; Daisy Walker; Mimi Hill; Winnie Laing

Fresh faces:

New AFL Blues:

Adam Saad, Zac Williams, Lachie Fogarty

New AFLW Blues: 

Elise O'Dea, Charlotte Hammans, Maddy Guerrin