While there’s a lot to dislike about Carlton, there’s also lots…hang on. I should have ended that sentence earlier.

Their year began on a downer, with the AFL ending Chris Judd’s role as an environmental ambassador for Visy.

Judd said he would miss being paid ‘lots and lots of money’ to care about the environment for a few minutes each week. Here Judd explains what the deal meant to him:

Why I Really Cared So Much About the Visy Deal: Judd

Judd also criticised the AFL for constant rule changes that he said made the game less instinctive. ‘You can’t just put someone in an exotic chokehold anymore,’ he said.

Of course, Judd had some highlights during the year, for example playing his 250th game. Thanks to the Visy deal, he’s been paid for 450.

Carlton also took delight in Essendon’s drug investigation troubles with Jarrad Waite wading in saying Carlton is a drug free club.

‘We’re more a have a few drinks, get into a fight at music festival type side,’ said Waite.

Of course, you can’t really look back at Carlton’s year without focusing on Mick Malthouse. Mick was as cranky as ever, and the team he suddenly realised he had didn’t help.

Throughout the year the shadow of Collingwood loomed large.

Malthouse and Eddie got into a few scraps with Mick saying Eddie ‘knows why’ he won’t break bread with him but wouldn’t explain what that was.

I bet it’s an argument over who is the best One Direction member.

Famously, Mick Malthouse has said it’s not about the wins or losses. He also said that the ladder doesn’t matter. This turned out to be weirdly prescient.

While the Malthouse revolution didn’t eventuate this season, it didn’t stop Robert Walls saying the Blues can dream of winning the flag on June 6. Why include this point? It’s better than any joke I could ever come up with.

While improvement on the field was slow to eventuate, it didn’t stop the players praising Malthouse.

Bryce Gibbs said Carlton has improved ‘immensely’ under Mick. ‘Not at football but we do have a Nespresso machine now which is nice.’

Of course, Carlton did make finals after the Bombers had all their points stripped.

Malthouse said the critics must admit focusing on process, not wins worked. ‘The process was to hope a club above us got suspended. Thanks Essendon.’

However the dream was over after a win against Richmond in week one of the finals; they lost in week two.

In the offseason, Carlton looked at every Collingwood player.

Malthouse said by attracting Collingwood players to Carlton, he could build a team capable of losing to Geelong in a Grand Final.

Eddie Betts announced he was leaving to go to Adelaide, which threw the Blues into a desperate search for a small forward, having only 40 at the club.

Carlton’s play for Daisy Thomas was gathering momentum with Dale finding it impossible to say no to Carlton’s offer of ‘lots and lots of money’ and a ‘very grumpy coach’.

Upon signing, Dale Thomas said he’s thankful Carlton have offered him an opportunity to ‘not play for Nathan Buckley.’

Unfortunately for Carlton fans though, the year ended with disappointing news. Heath Scotland announced he’s decided to play for another year and they accidentally drafted Cameron Wood.