Carlton Head of Football Brad Lloyd has confirmed the club's intention to be an active and aggressive participant in the upcoming mid-season draft. With two list spots available due to season-ending injuries to both Sam Docherty and Jack Silvagni, Carlton needs to bolster its depth and intends to use the draft to do just that.
The team is particularly interested in securing a replacement for Silvagni, who leaves a huge hole to fill as the son and grandson of Carlton Hall of Famers. The club is also looking to reinvigorate a depleted group of mid-forward options that has been hurt by injuries to the likes of Jesse Motlop, Jack Martin, David Cuningham, Lachie Fogarty, and Elijah Hollands.
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Lloyd has mentioned that Head of List Management Nick Austin is keeping close tabs on the state leagues heading into the draft.
“We're going to have a bit of a look. We've got a couple of spots there,” Lloyd said recently. “Just from a recruiting point of view, we'll let these early games evolve across the state leagues. We'd like to use a pick in there. We haven't locked into anyone yet, but the recruiting team has their head down working through that.”
Lloyd added that the club won't be afraid to give opportunities to younger players, indicating they will be aggressive in the draft.
“It's good having these mechanisms so when you get a nasty injury along the way, you can add for the short term and give some opportunities,” explained Lloyd.
The good news for Carlton is that Sam Walsh returned from injury this past weekend against Adelaide. He was one of the club's standout performers and is ready to build on that performance. Nevertheless, with a slew of other injuries, Carlton will need to take a more aggressive approach during the midseason draft.