Carlton's pre-season plans for 2023 took another hit last week with defender Zac Williams seeing his campaign cut short due to an ACL injury.
The ailment adds to a frustrating tenure in the navy blue for the former Giant, who has managed just 25 games across two seasons at Ikon Park due to prior injuries.
The setback will allow the Blues to move Williams to their inactive list and scout a potential replacement before the Supplemental Selection Period deadline on Wednesday, February 15.
Senior coach Michael Voss may look to add a like-for-like replacement for the 28-year-old before the signing window shuts, either adding experienced talent that can have an instant impact or potentially looking toward a more youthful target that will act as a reinforcement for any further injuries to his back third stocks.
Here we name five players that Carlton could consider recruiting in place of Williams for the 2023 season.
One of the leading names to be overlooked for the 2022 National and Rookie Drafts, Gilbey endured a difficult year ahead of the draft as he battled with glandular fever and suffered a broken leg that curtailed his campaign with Claremont.
The 18-year-old started the 2022 season in consideration as a potential first or second-round selection, earning a spot in the AFL Academy side that went head-to-head with Colingwood's VFL outfit last May.
Gilbey shared his draft year between the WAFL Colts and in the National Championships, averaging 16.3 disposals 6.7 marks and 3.0 tackles in the latter.
A highlight for Gilbey came in Round 15 of last season with Claremont where he amassed 31 disposals, 6 marks and 7 tackles for the Tigers against Swan Districts.
The 188cm defender is a smooth operator in defence that offers clean ball movement with his rebound kicking.
Another WA talent whose name wasn't called during last year's draft, Hagan was likened to Richmond tough nut Liam Baker off the back of his impressive draft campaign with East Fremantle at senior level.
The small-framed utility already has senior football experience under his belt after playing eight games for the Sharks in the WAFL last year, averaging 13.3 disposals, 4 marks, 4 tackles and 1 goal per game.
Hagan can slot into a flank at either end of the field or on the wing, potentially offering Carlton some flexibility across all three lines should they look his way.
The teenager has ventured interstate since the new year, signing with Port Adelaide's SANFL squad for the 2023 season.
Reports have suggested both the Power and Fremantle had shown interest in Hagan ahead of last year's draft period.
A name that might be familiar to Blues fans, with Leiu training under Michael Voss last pre-season as a potential SSP signing.
A taller option for Carlton to ponder with Leiu standing at 194cm, Carlton could consider the medium-sized defender as a stop-gap in their rearguard who can also serve as an intercepting
An Eastern Ranges product who had initially developed as an inside midfielder, Leiu battled with injuries that hampered his chances of a spot on Carlton's list for the 2022 season.
The Blues opted to hold onto their vacant list spot for the Mid-Season Draft but did decide to keep Leiu at Princes Park for the 2023 season as a VFL-listed player.
The 19-year-old would play 12 games for Carlton's reserves last season and has been re-signed for 2023, with the versatile teenager an option for the club's list team to consider from within their own four walls.
The first of two recently delisted AFL options for the Blues to consider, with Frederick's departure from Alberton last year raising some eyebrows across the competition.
The South Australian-born defender had impressed in his short stint with the Power but found opportunities at senior level hard to come by given the club's incumbent rebounding options.
Frederick had gained some interest from several AFL clubs across the course of the off-season, including West Coast, but has since landed with SANFL club Sturt for 2023.
The 22-year-old played six games under Ken Hinkley last year, three of which came as the medical sub.
Offering pace, run and AFL experience, Frederick is arguably the strongest option for the Blues to ponder.
Less than 48 hours after Williams' cruel diagnosis was confirmed by the club, Markov's name has been raised as a leading option that Carlton is said to be considering to replace their injured defender.
The Belarusian backman has spent the past few weeks with Collingwood as a potential SSP signing, however, missed the opening at Olympic Park and could very well venture to Ikon Park for another chance at an AFL reprieve.
The move would be similar to that of former Tiger Patrick Naish last year, who trained with St Kilda as an SSP target before flying to Western Australia and signing with the Eagles on the eve of the home and away season.
Markov brings with him 51 games of AFL experience, having played 23 games with Richmond and 28 games in the last two years with the Suns.
The rebounding defender would be an astute like-for-like replacement for Williams and can have an immediate impact on Michael Voss' plans for the season ahead.