Carlton open to trading middle-tier players for draft picks as it hopes to re-sign Jacob Weitering

CARLTON will spend the coming months attempting to sign No. 1 draft pick Jacob Weitering while aggressively finding ways to secure added selections for the next Blues draft star.

CARLTON will spend the coming months attempting to sign No. 1 draft pick Jacob Weitering while aggressively finding ways to secure added selections for the next Blues draft star.

The Blues have as many as 15 mid-tier players out of contract in a deliberate ploy to keep their options open.

Thrilled with the development of first-year talls Weitering, Jack Silvagni, Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay, the Blues know they need to continue replenishing through the draft.

But to do that they must secure more selections past their current No. 5 and 23 picks in the first two selections of the draft.

That means potentially trading some of the middle-tier players who would normally be solid contributors in the club’s best 22.

The Blues have started contract talks with Irish defender Zach Tuohy despite speculation he might be trade bait, with Levi Casboult also re-signing.

It is known the Blues will be open to offers for many of their players as they push to bring two more drafts of talent into the door.

Carlton hope to soon re-sign top pick Jacob Weitering. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Carlton has already said it will take something exceptional for it to take its No. 5 selection, which makes the recruitment of Gold Coast midfielder Jaeger O’Meara unlikely.

The 2014 national draft has become a disaster, with Blaine Boekhorst signed for next year but Kristian Jaksch, Clem Smith and Dillon Viojo-Rainbow not at AFL standard and Jayden Foster delisted.

Matthew Dick has also been cut, while Cameron Wood, Andrew Walker and Michael Jamison have retired.

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Carlton put off approaching Weitering through the season but will now begin the process of attempting to sign him to a long-term deal.

While he is likely to be beaten by Sydney’s Callum Mills or Bulldogs Caleb Daniel in Tuesday’s Rising Star award he could scarcely have been more impressive.

The Blues will assess the batch of unhappy GWS players after securing a batch of them at cut-priced rates last year.

They are also likely to be interested in Richmond mid-sized forward Ben Lennon after being unable to get a trade done with the Tigers last year.

Carlton has started contract talks with Zach Tuohy. Picture: Mark Dadswell

He is contracted for another season at Richmond but has told the club he wants a fresh start.

GWS key defender Caleb Marchbank is considered one of the Giants Silvagni would be keen to secure after he asked for a trade this week.

The Herald Sun also understands full-back Sam Rowe has satisfied a games trigger to kick in a contract for the 2017 season.

Key forward Liam Jones has one more year on his three-year deal and while Carlton would be open to a trade might have to honour the last year of his deal.

Others out of contract include Andrejs Everitt, Dylan Buckley, Nick Graham and Mark Whiley.

Dennis Armfield will likely win a one-year deal after a solid season while the Herald Sun reported in July Kade Simpson’s one-year deal would be rolled over.

Originally published as Carlton open to trading middle-tier players for draft picks as it hopes to re-sign Jacob Weitering