Carlton have offered insight into their trade and draft planning ahead of this year's exchange period, discussing their interest in Port Adelaide talent Dan Houston as well as the uncertain futures of several of their players.
The Blues will enter the trade period with a "priority" on November's AFL Draft while placing their 2025 draft selections on the trade table.
The Blues hold Picks 12, 34, 65, 68 and 71 and will need the required draft points to potentially match bids on father-son duo Ben and Lucas Camporeale. Carlton currently have 1988 draft points.
Keen to remain in the queue at 12th overall, Carlton list manager Nick Austin could look to swap next year's selections to further strengthen the club's draft hand for the 2024 intake or aid their bid to secure Houston over the next 10 days.
Speaking on the interest in Houston, Austin said the club will weigh up how they approach the situation while keeping their priorities in order.
"Dan is a very good player, he's cleary had a good couple of seasons at the level. A contracted player at Port Adelaide so there's a bit to work through there," Austin toldย Carlton Media.ย
"We'll head into the trade period with an open mind and see where it takes us.
"Cleary the draft is the priority, but you never say never. We've to some flexibility with what we can do. Any way we can improve our list we're going to look to do that."
The high end of this year's draft class has several other sides keen to remain or join the top 10 in the draft order, with the Blues likely to recruit at least four new players through the November count.
Austin confirmed the club is open to adding to its 2024 hand via player or pick trading, the latter likely involving their future selections.
"It's a really strong, very even draft. We're looking forward to getting stuck right into that," Austin said.
"We feel like our first pick is in a really good spot. It's a very even group (with) positions of need for our footy club.ย We think we're going to get some really good players.
"All of our future picks are on the table, we're looking to improve our hand this year. Not only for the draft, but to potentially provide some flexibility for trade time.
"The priority is to strengthen up our draft hand for 2024 as best we can."
Contracted pair Matthew Kennedy and Lewis Young have been granted permission to look elsewhere for better opportunities in midfield and defence respectively.
Austin said the Blues are continuing to work with the senior duo throughout this off-season, with both players a chance to remain at Princes Park if the right suitor fails to emerge.
"We had a really mature conversation with him during his exit interview," Austin said of Kennedy.
"He wants more midfield opportunity. Clearly he's played a lot of football for us in a variety of roles.
"We'll see how we go. We'll go into the trade period and see where that takes us. He's a much-loved player in our footy club, he played a variety of roles for us.
"Very similar to Matty, Lewis is at an age now where he wants to play more AFL football. He's dominated at VFL for a long time and done quite a good job when he's come into our team.
"He's a contracted player and provides a lot of versatility for us. He's a good backup for what we've got."
Jack Carroll, Sam Durdin and Matt Owies are among Carlton's crop of players still without deals for next year, with the trio forced to wait through the trade period at least before knowing where their future lies.
With the club keen to add fresh talent through the draft, all three players could be forced to wait even further, or may not be offered new deals for 2025.
"List spots are tight and we need some flexibility going into the trade period," Austin said.
"We're going to have a minimum of four picks in the National Draft, so adding some more young talent to that group is really exciting for our footy club.
"Hopefully we can bring in some guys who can help set our future up."
The 2024 AFL Trade Period will open on Monday and run until 7:30pm (AEST) on Wednesday, October 16. The AFL Draft takes place on November 20-21.
