Carlton 2018 trade guide: Who should the Blues chase this off-season?
CARLTON has some huge decisions to make this off-season. Will it trade the top pick in the draft? Are Dylan Shiel and Andrew Gaff prime targets? David King looks at the club’s potential trade options.
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ANOTHER season testing the patience and strength of those that are Navy Blue but, true to its word, Carlton is staying the course. Remarkably, all seem united which isn’t always the case under these circumstances.
Patrick Cripps and Charlie Curnow have stamped themselves as genuine A-graders to build a club around but Carlton needs to find the another two or three more to assist.
LOOKING AHEAD: BLUES NEED TO GET HELP FOR CRIPPS
RISING STAR: WOULD YOU SWAP CURNOW FOR DUSTY
LIST REVIEW: HOW DID THE BLUES GET TO THIS POINT
Zac Fisher and Paddy Dow on the fast-track to becoming players of note while Sam Petrevski-Seton shows glimpses. A strong pre-season could be the making of Sam.
Ciaran Byrne and Tom Williamson will play a significant role in the next phase of this rebuild after being almost unsighted in 2018.
It’s a big back half of the season for Sam Rowe but the biggest question mark is on their biggest investment — Jacob Weitering. Is Jacob going to become the player the Blues hoped?
Every decision made at the end of 2018 must be correct. Do not trade for C-graders or players you’re going to immediately look to go past. Draft the lights out!
Stephen Silvagni needs to give Brendan Bolton a chance to showcase his coaching wares. October-November is Carlton’s most critical period.
The Blues must get creative with a likely No.1 draft pick. The Crows want Jack Lukosius, so make them pay. Adelaide’s picks 8 and 13? Adelaide’s pick 8 and Brad Crouch?
LIAM TWOMEY LOOKS AT CARLTON’S TRADE OPTIONS
IN PLAY
1. Patrick Cripps
Age: 23
Games in 2018: 5
While not seriously in play, there’s no doubt the signature of one of the AFL’s best young midfielders on a contract extension beyond 2019 is paramount.
2. David Cuningham
Age: 21
Games in 2018: 5
A former top 25 draft pick, Cuningham has been on the outside looking in for most of this year because of form and injuries. His is contracted for next season but may prefer to chase greater opportunity.
3. Dale Thomas
Age: 31
Games in 2018: 13
Thomas is still only in his early 30s. This year has easily been his best for the Blues and he has said he is keen to play on in 2019. Would another club take a look at him if the Blues pass? It feels like Blues or bust.
BUY BUY BUY
1. Dylan Shiel
Age: 25
Club: GWS
Games in 2018: 13
The Blues need another star player to pair with Cripps and Curnow. If they put pick one on the table, would that be enough to land Shiel? Kade Simpson backed the idea last week.
2. Andrew Gaff
Age: 26
Club: West Coast
Games in 2018: 13
Patrick Cripps and Andrew Gaff. It has a nice ring to it. With Carlton’s lack of star power in the midfield, he is well and truly on the club’s radar.
3. Mitch Wallis
Age: 25
Club: Western Bulldogs
Games in 2018: 9
Wallis is clearly out of favour at the Bulldogs and will explore his options come the end of the season. The Blues need midfield depth. If they strike out on Shiel and Gaff, he could be their man.
WINS AND ROUNDABOUTS
Carlton’s two big recruits in the off-season, former Giant Matthew Kennedy and former Cat Darcy Lang, have had no luck on the injury front this year. Both have battled ankle complaints, meaning they have combined for just 11 senior games. Finally they are fully fit and the club will be hoping to start seeing a return on its investment. Matthew Lobbe was the other pick-up but he is behind Matthew Kreuzer and Andrew Phillips in the ruck pecking order.
FANTASY QUICK FIX
Josh Kelly. The Blues are desperate for elite midfielders and there would be no better pick-up than Greater Western Sydney star Kelly. He is out of contract at the end of next season and Carlton should be doing everything it can to get him to the club — and he couldn’t come soon enough.
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