If crisis creates opportunity then opportunity came in spades at Carlton through 2012. And that’s the perverse upside to this story, for amid the mounting list of casualties, no fewer than 39 players got the call up - amongst them seven first-gamers two of whom were rookies.
 
Notwithstanding the two territories and New South Wales, each of the remaining states can lay claim to a new Blue - Queensland and Tom Bell, Western Australia  and Josh Bootsma, Tasmania and Levi Casboult, South Australia and Patrick McCarthy, and Victoria and Frazer Dale, Andrew McInnes and Luke Mitchell.
 
In casting a big picture view of the first-year players, Carlton Assistant Coach John Barker said “the overall take is ‘excitement’.
 
“In terms of young kids playing, you know there’s always going to be that level of enthusiasm and excitement, and I think the majority of those players fared pretty well,” Barker said.
 
“Circumstance meant that all of those guys got games a little bit before their time, but out of that they all acquitted themselves fairly and showed that they deserved to be playing senior AFL footy.”
 
Barker concluded by saying that presuming the club isn’t cruelled by injury in 2013, the Carlton coaching panel will boast a far more potent playing list from which to draw upon.
 
The following is John Barker’s critique of the seven new Blues
 
Tom Bell Qld (rookie) - 21 years, seven games, four goals
There’s not much that gets in his way that he’ll stop for. He’s a bull. He’s 90+kilos, has got a good tank, will run all day and the longer he’s in the AFL system the sharper he’s going to become.
 
Josh Bootsma WA - 19 years, five games, 0 goals
An exciting player, very footy-smart. He obviously needs to work on getting a bigger body to be able to compete consistently at AFL level. In the games he played he had a crack at the contest, but sometimes found that his body didn’t allow him what he wanted to do. In saying that there’s no doubt he’s a player of the future.
 
Levi Casboult Vic - 22 years, six games, seven goals
A great set of mitts and very good with instructions. He trains the way he’s asked to train as a forward, and if there’s one who surprised me it’s him, because he only had three games back in the twos after a 12-week spell and then punched out some quality football at senior level. That was impressive. He’s a diligent boy, he needs to get a little more confidence in front of goals, but we’ll work on that.
 
Frazer Dale Vic (rookie) - 19 years, two games, one goal
Frazer showed his want to compete. He’s aggressive, can take a good mark for a guy who’s only six one/six two, and is a high-energy player. I think he’ll be very good for us.
 
Patrick McCarthy SA - 20 years, one game, one goal
Patty McCarthy took some marks, shows he has a bit of athleticism and he excited the fans in his one senior appearance. He’s one of those players who sell a bit of hope. Gavin Brown wants him down back, I want him up front, and he may be that utility-type who can pinch-hit as both a half back or half-forward.
 
Andrew McInnes Vic - 20 years, eight games, 0 goals
Andrew McInnes was very good. He was probably one of our better defenders. He loves the contest, defends well, and is strong in the contest. He’s more than happy to mix with whoever and is just a solid performer.”
 
Luke Mitchell Vic - 20 years, one game, one goal
“Lukey has a fair bit of work to do, but his confidence will grow. He’s had surgery on both of his shoulders, and he’s going to grow in confidence in terms of his ability to contest, especially in the air. That one game will give him something to go after, because he now has an understanding of the nature of the AFL.”