Carlton’s Harry Dean father-son challenge: What will they do ahead of the draft?

Carlton faces a high-stakes gamble over whether to trade valuable draft picks ahead of an expected early bid for star father-son defender Harry Dean.

AFL talent manager Kevin Sheehan says Carlton will have a challenging decision on whether to trade a draft pick ahead of an early bid on father-son defender Harry Dean given his flawless season as a Blues father-son.

The 193cm defender played only a single game at Coates League level after a broken arm last year but put together a scintillating season that established himself as the best key back in the national draft.

Carlton has picks 9 and 11 and will need to keep one of them in that position to retain the points needed to match a bid for Dean but could attempt to trade ahead of any bid to secure another young star in the top handful of picks.

But given clubs believe Dean could go anywhere from 5-12 they face a similar decision to Essendon with Isaac Kako last year.

Harry Dean has established himself as the best key back in the draft. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

Ultimately the Dons chose to trade that draft pick into the next season and as a result have picks five and six in this year’s draft.

Clubs will also have to work out how to navigate a new points system which makes it harder to match bids.

If a bid comes very early for Dean it could swallow up pick nine and push 11 back in the draft order.

Young Carlton intercept defender Harry O’Farrell will miss most of the year with an ACL tear but by 2027 the Blues will have their key position defensive stocks set given Jacob Weitering is only 27.

Sheehan watched Dean play in a practice game early in the year as scouts began their assessment of the young back, who plays in the same manner as father Peter.

Dean played in two flags for the Blues across 248 AFL games.

“He is rangy at 193cm. Six foot four in the old and he’s got long arms and good spring and he marks it one touch, intercepts well, he spoils well and he’s not going to play on the 202cm key forwards but Nick Riewoldt was 193cm so he’s going to play on the Jeremy Cameron type,” Sheehan said.

Peter Dean won two flags with the Blues.

“He has plenty of Peter’s traits. He is a fierce competitor, he spoils it well, he makes great decisions on when to mark or spoil and he’s had a brilliant year.

“We hadn’t seen him for two years and we knew he had some talent but after he only played one game last year everyone was there at Punt Road when he played a practice game.

“We were in the Jack Dyer Stand and I happened to look and every club was there.

“He was so impressive and then didn’t stop for the year. He marks it well, he is a good size, he runs well and on that day you could see he was going to be exciting and it’s unfolded in a very positive way. Playing for Murray and Vic Country we have seen it unfolding and he looks to be the best defender in the pool.”

Carlton NGA flanker Jack Ison took longer to flourish this year but his back third of the season puts him in line to be a value pick later in the draft.

“We had to wait until later in the year,” Sheehan said.

“Kids get niggles and injuries and then he put together a bank of games in the back third of the year. He is a lovely size, he is quick, he uses it well and now it’s just where recruiters see him in the draft.”

Jack Ison has had a strong back end to his year. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

Sheehan is aware this draft has its critics but he also believes it is one where clubs will get value if they can mine it through exhaustive research.

Victorian 197cm key forward Archie Ludowyke was impressive before a season-ending PCL concern, while key back Liam Hetherton suffered an early season back injury.

Victorian midfield bolter Sullivan Robey and Eastern Ranges defender Oskar Taylor have been exceptional later in the season, but Robey has played only eight Coates League games and no Under-18 championships clashes.

It is why clubs will have to work hard to line up talent compared to some drafts where many players have completed full under-age seasons.

“Clubs haven’t got a complete line on some of these kids. Someone will draft them but there is a mystery to them. Some will say we have seen enough and we will just get in before other clubs,” Sheehan said.

“So it is down to the art and skill of recruiting. Some have seen the little bit of gold that they will hang onto and hope others didn’t see it. So there could be some absolute bargains in the finish.”

Originally published as Carlton’s Harry Dean father-son challenge: What will they do ahead of the draft?