But the Blues have failed to meet those high expectations.
Four losses to the start had them down the bottom-end of the ladder and after winning four out of their next five, their fortunes have again turned for the worse.
At 5 wins and 11 losses, its chances of September action are all but over, but such a proud club won’t go down without a fight.
Carlton’s first half against Sydney was terrific. At half-time the margin was just seven points. By game’s end it was out to 71.
Sydney booted 10 majors to nil in the third quarter in what was a brutal display of dominance.
Nevertheless, against a Swans’ side coach Mick Malthouse described as one of the best he’s seen, the 71-point loss was not a complete embarrassment.
Look back another week and the Blues were dominant against St Kilda. Their key-forwards excelled, while the likes of Sam Docherty and Andrejs Everitt stood up when needed most.
Any team with the likes of Marc Murphy, Chris Judd and the in-form Bryce Gibbs must be respected.
Levi Casboult has been a revelation in attack in recent weeks as one of the more powerful marking targets in the competition, while Lachie Henderson is valuable at either end of the field.
Robert Warnock sits third in the competition for hit-outs and will provide stiff resistance for Todd Goldstein, and Kade Simpson is a vital link in the chain across half-back.
Perhaps Carlton’s depth is its biggest worry though.
The Blues have used 34 players this year, but just six have played every game with the team shuffled regularly in a bid to find a winning formula.
Add the loss of one of their most important players in Andrew Walker and the task becomes even tougher.
If Carlton needs any motivation, it only needs to skim through the record books. 2007 (4 wins) was the last time the Blues won less games (5 so far), a year in which they lost their last 11 games.
They’ll be desperate not to return to those days and the quality of their side suggests they shouldn’t.
