Carlton is certain to put its first-round draft pick on the trade table at the end of the season

Much has been made of Carlton’s pick swap with Adelaide, but the draft selection might not stay at the club, with the Blues open to moving it on for an experienced player.

Stephen Silvagni has made the key list calls at the Blues. Picture: Getty Images

Carlton’s first-round draft pick is certain to be on the table this year as the Blues attempt to rapidly jump up the AFL ladder in 2020.

The Blues’ side that played Essendon was the youngest in Brendon Bolton’s tenure, with the sacked coach adamant Carlton must bring senior bodies into the team.

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That strategy is part of the club’s planning, having offered up its future first-round pick for Dylan Shiel last year.

It means after trading first-round picks with Adelaide over the Liam Stocker deal, the pick they receive — currently No. 11 — will be the centrepiece of their trade hand.

Out-of-contract forward Jack Silvagni’s future at the club is uncertain after six goals in seven games playing as a half forward.

But he is determined to remain at the club if he can win enough senior opportunities in his fourth year under former forwards coach David Teague.

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He will sit down with his manager over the mid-season bye to consider his options.

But having grown up a Carlton supporter with his dad, now the club’s list manager, a star player he would be extremely reluctant to pursue a trade.

The Blues have long had an interest in exciting Gold Coast half forward Jack Martin, who at 24 is the perfect age bracket and with the kind of silky skills the club lacks.

Jack Silvagni’s future is up in the air. Picture: Getty Images

The Blues have traded away their second-round pick for Will Setterfield and would be tempting fate to trade away next year’s first-rounder after the Stocker trade.

Bolton said on Monday the club’s Bryce Gibbs trade had damaged his immediate prospects, adamant he was still comfortable with the decision because it was in Carlton’s best interests.

But he said the Blues had to bring more experience into the side.

“Ultimately it’s put pressure on and the win-loss got me but we need to keep sticking to the next layer which will be getting in more mature bodies with our football club which will help our exciting young talent led by two incredible leaders. The next step will be in that space with this management.”

Originally published as Carlton is certain to put its first-round draft pick on the trade table at the end of the season