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.
3. Tyreece Leiuย
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.
