Carlton are anticipated to be one of the busier clubs come the 2023 AFL trade and free agency space, with the proud Victorian club likely to be moving for star personnel as much as they'll be looking to retain their own.
The Blues enjoyed a quieter off-season exchange window in 2022 and placed the majority of their attention toward the draft, while this year they're expected to see a more even balance in how they look to fine-tune their list.
A bevy of senior players are still unsigned for next year and could find new homes come the trade period, while the Blues have already been linked with rival assets that they'll be hoping to lure to Princes Park.
Focussing on the latter, we've identified five players that could suit the Blues' list planning, with a focus on improving their attacking options and depth building.
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2. Nick Bryan
Potentially requiring cover for Tom De Koning given the ruckman's uncertain future at Princes Park, the Blues could look toward Essendon - who are a rumoured suitor for De Koning - and potentially add a reinforcement of their own from the Bombers.
Like De Koning, Bryan is off-contract this year and has found opportunities at senior level to be no guarantee, despite his best efforts in the VFL. In 2023, Bryan is averaging 36.1 hitouts, 19.1 disposals, 5.3 marks and 5.9 clearances per game for the Bombers' reserves to rank among the competition's best ruckmen.
Ruck
Hitouts
Marks
Disposals
The 21-year-old has managed eight games since joining Essendon through the 2019 National Draft and is still third in the pecking order at the Dons, falling behind senior Sam Draper and Andrew Phillips.
If a vacancy was to open up at Carlton due to a De Koning departure, then a move to the Blues could suit both Michael Voss and Bryan.
