How does Carlton replace Nic Newman for the 2025 season?

Carlton will be without Nic Newman for the 2025 season, after the defender suffered a significant knee injury at training – and now they must work out how they replace him.

And he is a difficult player to replace, having finished on the best and fairest podium in successive years.

The Blues do have options, though they have moved the obvious candidate in Zac Williams forward – and he should remain there.

Sam Docherty has spent the last few seasons as a midfielder, but coming off his torn ACL he could certainly return to his old role as the defensive general, something Newman had taken over.

It would give the veteran more certainty in a particular role, after moving between midfield, wing and half-forward pre ACL.

Ollie Hollands is another option, with the wingman spending the last few games of 2024 across half-back and training there over summer. Jack Silvagni is also training in defence, likely more in a key position role however.

Carlton brought in Nick Haynes from the Giants and if he has any gas left in the tank, he could potentially play tall and allow Mitch McGovern to utilise his kicking and intercept skills and attack off half-back.

Lachie Cowan has quickly grown into a mainstay in Carlton’s defence and has been used as the primary lockdown small defender, while Jordan Boyd’s ball use saw him feature regularly in the backline in 2024.

Alex Cincotta is another who could feature in defence, making a name for himself initially as a lockdown small defender. However, his start to 2025 will also be delayed by injury.

Wildcard options could include sending Jagga Smith to half-back to start his career or potentially using someone like Matt Cottrell or Orazio Fantasia across half-back for their run and carry.

They attempted this with Adam Cerra late last year, but his lack of trust in his body following multiple hamstring injuries likely led to the poor results.

Kane Cornes weighed in on the issue, saying it will be tough for Carlton to replace a player who was just as good with the footy as he was without it.

“Well, it’s hard to replace Newman. It’s hard to replace someone that uses the ball so well off halfback and that position has become vital, defends really well,” Cornes told SEN Breakfast.

“There's a lot of halfbacks now that are there for that attacking flare, and they come off the back of the line at centre bounce and just go regardless of their opponent, and they are there for the attacking nature.

“It's rare, this is why I love Dan Houston. It's rare to get both, and to get the balance right where Brayden Maynard, think of him, perfect balance of when I'm there to defend, win contests, win one on ones, but then when I want to join in on offence and, and use the ball. Newman is one of those, Houston is one of those.

“Maynard is one of those, they're few and far between those players that have that balance right of an attacking weapon off half back, but can still defend, win contest and take out a crucial player for the opposition.

“I’m just not sure Carlton have a player to replace him.”

Carlton opens their 2025 campaign in Round 1 against Richmond on Thursday night, March 13.