Carlton's proposed tough draw has turned out to be an illusion. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: Herald Sun
HAWTHORN is set to be handed the opening seven weeks from hell in next year's fixture, but Carlton's proposed tough draw has turned out to be an illusion.
The defeated grand finalist is expected to be slapped with a draw featuring as many as seven 2012 finalists in the early rounds.
It will be a tough ask for Alastair Clarkson's Hawks, trying to recover from a second straight season of finals disappointment.
But while Mick Malthouse has complained about Carlton's testing start, its lowly finish this year has handed it a dream fixture.
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The Blues are expected to be given a fixture on Wednesday in which they play just one finals side twice.
That side is Collingwood, with the blockbuster status of the rivalry and revenue generated over-riding the issue of a double-up against a top-four side.
Malthouse revealed last week the Blues start the year with games against Richmond, Collingwood, Geelong, West Coast (away) and Adelaide.
But the Blues then have a string of winnable games in the following few weeks, including this year's easybeats Melbourne, Port Adelaide, Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney.
"Given what I have just heard about our draw, the (AFL) have done us no favours," Malthouse said last week.
"But I go along with what Andrew Demetriou says - the draw is the draw is the draw, and very rarely does the top four reflect anything but that."
The Blues have benefited from a fixturing formula in which this year's bottom 10 sides are restricted from any more than a handful of double-ups against top-eight sides.
It gives the Blues a chance to leapfrog into the top eight or, given a good run with injury, even top four.
Malthouse has indicated Chris Judd will retain the captaincy if he wants it.
But Judd is known to have told friends he would be happy to give up the role if there was a suitable alternative or if it would help the club's leadership transition.
Malthouse and Judd have not met about the leadership, but the club's Arizona high-altitude camp next month shapes as the perfect chance for the dual Brownlow medallist to discuss his future.
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