13 wins, 9 losses - Position: 7th

This year's grade (A-F) B

Positives from this year: The Blues took the step forward that was expected of them and qualified for September in seventh position. Their 13 wins included three interstate and five against top-eight opposition. Young stars Bryce Gibbs and Marc Murphy played consistently well, newbies Aaron Joseph and Mitch Robinson showed plenty, there was steady improvement from Paul Bower, Shaun Hampson and Jordan Russell, Brendan Fevola behaved himself and claimed his second Coleman Medal despite a slow start to the year because of a nasty heel injury, and Chris Judd was Chris Judd.

Negatives from this year: Injuries severely curtailed the contributions of Matthew Warnock, Jarrad Waite, Andrew Walker and Michael Jamison. While they were replaceable, however, Richard Pratt was not. The death from prostate cancer in April of the club president and catalyst for the Blues' renaissance was a devastating blow for staff and supporters alike. On-field, Brett Ratten's match-day management came under scrutiny in the Round 9 loss to Adelaide, the Round 13 thumping by Essendon and the elimination final defeat by Brisbane. As well, for all their efforts to diversify up forward, the Blues were too Fevola-conscious much too often.

Likely departures: The Blues have plenty of ballast to shed including Brad Fisher, Jordan Bannister, Jake Edwards, Adam Hartlett, Adam Bentick, Joe Anderson and, if they're hard-nosed about it, Simon Wiggins along with rookies Greg Bentley, Darren Pfeiffer and Lachie Hill.

Next year:

Type of Players needed: Key forward, key defender. Pre-season sparring partners Setanta O'hAilpin and Cameron Cloke fought a separate battle for a key forward role but, ultimately, neither was the answer. The big Irishman had his moments in 2009, but he's a stopgap at best. The Blues went into the season with clear defensive shortcomings but the loss of Waite and, towards the end, Jamison, left them badly exposed. Nick Stevens, Heath Scotland and Ryan Houlihan are not getting any younger so a top-up in the midfield wouldn't go astray either.

Likely improvement (if any): The Blues will have designs on a top-four finish next year and they should go close. If Warnock comes on as expected that will release Matthew Kreuzer to assist up forward or around the ground as required. Robinson, Jeff Garlett and Chris Yarran will be better for a full pre-season. Gibbs and Murphy are on the verge of joining the competition's elite and Judd is still only 26.

Finals next year? Yes. It's not unusual for a team that's taken a sizeable step forward to undergo a minor correction the following season. That can't be ruled out, but Carlton is entitled to aim high.