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.
5. Oleg Markov
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.
