An aggressive trade play to move into the top three of the draft has significantly shifted Carlton's thinking in the wake of the player movement period, with the Blues set to gain one of this year's best AFL Draft prospects.
Stressing a desire to remain at the pointy end of this year's talent intake instead of trading for top line talent from rival clubs, the Blues have managed to move toward the front of the queue as they prepare to take their earliest draft selection since Sam Walsh at Pick 1 in 2018.
Another big piece in Carlton's 2024 draft plans will be their access to South Australian duo Ben and Lucas Camporeale, who are tied to the Blues as father-son prospects. Following their early selection, Carlton will look to have the draft points required to match bids on both midfielders, which are anticipated for the second half of the draft.
Late enough bids could see the Blues use their second selection prior to being required to match father-son bids, giving the club greater access to this year's promising crop of players.
Draft Hand
Picks: 3, 38, 63, 68, 69, 72
The Blues stunningly exited the trade period with Pick 3 at their disposal, with the prized selection coming at the cost of Pick 12, their 2025 first-round selection and an array of other assets.
They also managed to strengthen the back end of their draft hand, now holding as well as a quartet of fourth-round selections that can be used for matched father-son bids.
Carlton will hope Pick 38 falls before the first of the two Camporeale bids, therefore giving them access to a second-round talent before likely finalising their intake with the South Australian twins.
List Needs
Best available:ย Carlton certainly has a name or two in their sights after moving up to Pick 3 in the queue, with the top end of this year's draft class littered with prime midfield talent. A young onballer who can complement the Blues' current engine room and potentially be ready for senior minutes early next year will be ideal. With the third selection of the night, list manager Nick Austin will be coming away with a teenager he highly rates who can assist the current ensemble of reigning Brownlow Medal winner Patrick Cripps and gun ball-winner Sam Walsh, among others.
Defensive Help: Whether it be through key position talent or ground-level options who can offer some run out of defence, a selection that strengthens Michael Voss' rearguard for the years to come will be ideal. The Blues managed to add Nick Haynes as a free agent this off-season, but with depth stalls Sam Durdin and Caleb Marchbank departing, and little coming through the ranks, an intercept or negating key defender could be in the Blues' sights. If not, then a dashing half-back could be next on the club's list, with 2023 draftee Billy Wilson now seen as more of a midfield option.
Midfield Depth:ย The Blues significantly stripped back their midfield ranks this off-season, parting with Matthew Kennedy, Jack Carroll and David Cuningham, who combined for 44 games this year. The likes of Cooper Lord and Jaxon Binns will have increased expectations coming with a greater reliance on their duties in 2025, with the next wave of midfield perhaps needing to be strengthened via a selection or two at this year's draft to help.
Potential Targets
Finn O'Sullivan:ย The Oakleigh Chargers star might just be the reason the Blues moved their way up the draft board to land Pick 3. There's no certainty O'Sullivan is available when the Blues are on the clock, especially if Richmond manage to secure Pick 2 from North Melbourne, but Carlton would view the Koroit talent as the best fit for their midfield group. A great impact player from the centre of the ground, O'Sullivan is arguably the best all-round midfielder atop a very strong group of onballers. South Australia's Sid Draper or O'Sullivan's Oakleigh teammate Jagga Smith are two other options the Blues will consider at Pick 3.
Ben and Lucas Camporeale:ย Two names well known to most Blues fans already, with the twins the sons of Carlton premiership player Scott. Ben, a more inside midfield threat who has no issue finding the ball, is likely to earn a bid first and could do so in the Pick 30-40 range. Lucas on the other hand, is more of a wing option who has a strong tank and can even slot into a defensive role if needed. He could be one of the last few taken in the National Draft, or might find himself as a Rookie Draft addition.
Noah Mraz:ย A teenager who the Blues could have on their radar at Pick 38. The Dandenong Stingrays talent, who stops the tape at 198cm, is a versatile key defender who can also pinch-hit in the ruck. Mraz was a member of the AFL Academy this year, selected for his strong intercept ability, endurance capabilities and kicking accuracy, with a foot injury unfortunately hampering most of his year. Prior to his setback, the promising teenager was viewed as a top 20 chance, with his interrupted year potentially presenting as a bargain for one club. Another to consider for Carlton could be Sandringham dasher Harrison Oliver or Calder Cannons tall Harry O'Farrell.
