1926

Carlton improved significantly in 1926, winning 11 games out of the expanded 18 round competition, perhaps due to the return of Horrie Clover from injury and the debut of Harry Vallence, forming a potent forward combination.

The Blues had a great start to the season, winning 9 of the first 12 games. Even more impressively, the losses against Geelong, Fitzroy and Richmond were narrow losses (by 4, 10 and 5 points respectively). At the end of round 12 the Blues were in fourth place on the ladder, only 1 game away from top spot.

The team couldn't maintain the high levels of consistency that they had displayed over the first 12 rounds, and could manage only 2 wins from the final 6 home and away rounds. Carlton would finish with a 11 wins and 8 losses for the season, finishing in sixth place on the ladder. This was a vast improvement on the 5 win, 12 loss record of 1925 when the Blues finished in ninth.

The improvement shown this year was to be continued in 1927, when Carlton would play finals football since the first time since 1922. Carlton would finish 6th for the year.

Ladder

People of 1926

Captain: Ray Brew
Coach: Ray Brew
Leading Goal-kicker: Horrie Clover - 38 goals

Debuts

Round 16: Fred Gilby
Round 12: Albert 'Jack' Williamson
Round 8: Les Witto
Round 5: Bill Manger
Round 3: George Styles, Tom Mullens
Round 2: Norm Collins
Round 1: Joe Kelly, Fred Mutch, Harry Vallence

Gate Receipts

Carlton's share of gate receipts for the 1926 season, rounds 1 - 18 was £2,540.
This was third behind Geelong (£4,020) and Collingwood (£2,829).

Aggregate Receipts

This differs to the above report. Carlton tops this list with £5,703
To view the list click here> http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article76399842

Memberships

5,482 members at 7/6 (75c) realised £2,055.15

Player Payments

Carlton paid a total of £2,509 to it's players.
This was the highest in the League, ahead of Collingwood's £2,185.
Lowest ot the 11 clubs was North Melbourne with £1,363 (Melbourne's total was not available)

Newton (Tas) v Carlton, October 16

Fot the first time in more than 20 years Carlton ventured to Tasmania.
34 Carlton members made the trip including 19 Carlton players.
On Wednesday the party visited the I.X.L. Jam Factory and then were shown through Hobart's Parliament House. In the afternoon they visited Mt. Nelson and enjoyed the panoramic vistas.
Thursday morning they watched the Tattersalls Lottery draw and then practised on the North Hobart Oval in the afternoon.
(19) R. Brew (Capt), J. Watson (Vice Capt), H. Bell, H. Blackmore, H. R. Clover, A. Duncan, H. Dunn, V. Davis, F. Gilby, F. Irwin, J. Kelly, W. Koop, G. McSwain, F. Mutch, J. Morrissey, P. Outram, J. Robertson, H. Vallence, J. Williams.
R. J. Plaice (trainer)
Crowd; 6,000
J. Williams was the emergency.
Umpire; E. Corbett
Carlton won;
Carl; 5.1 10.3 15.6 16.10.106
NTn; 2.3 5.3 7.5 12.8.80
Goals: Dunn 4, Blackmore 3, Davis 3, Outram 2, Clover 2, Vallence 2.
Best; Clover, Duncan, Davis, Gilby, Mutch, Koop, Dunn, Blackmore
One report said Horrie Clover was best on the ground, however, Fred Mutch and Fred Gilby were awarded trophies for their good play.

Lower Levels

Reserves: Carlton won the Reserves Premiership in 1926, the club's first-ever.