Five trade targets for EVERY AFL club: Carlton Blues

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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Lachlan Murphy

Examining the pool of unsigned small-to-medium forwards Carlton could consider, Murphy stands out as an attractive target for the Blues to set some level of attention toward.

The Crows flanker isn't the flashy forward type that Adelaide have in Izak Rankine or Josh Rachele, nor is he the bigger-bodied bustling attacker in Luke Pedlar, but Murphy is a jack-of-all-trades type that can help Carlton in more ways than one.

He's never been a player to pile on goals, instead, he offers pressure in the attacking half and is a great link-up in a chain toward goal. He has a sharp eye for the sticks, but it can be his unselfish nature that sees his assists tally surpass his number of majors in a game.

Murphy has recorded 23 goal assists since the start of last season and ranks above average for the metric among general forwards in 2023, with the Crows forward playing in the mould of Cats livewire Gryan Miers.

With his place behind the likes of Rankine and Rachele in Adelaide's pecking order, Murphy could benefit from a first-string role elsewhere. If the Blues are to look toward sharpening their spear this off-season through cheaper targets, Murphy could be of value.

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.

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.

Sam Sturt

Fremantle forward Sam Sturt has been an intriguing watch at the Dockers since swapping Victoria for Western Australia as a first-round selection in 2018.

The 23-year-old made his debut in 2020 and would boot three goals in his first match in purple, before playing two further games that year prior to going unused until 2021. Sturt would then make one appearance under Justin Longmuir until this season - missing the entirety of the 2022 season and left to prove his worth in the WAFL.

In 2023, Sturt has been swung in and out of the Docker's AFL side, playing seven games in total with three matches as either the sub or being subbed out.

The 189cm forward has struggled to cement his place in the top flight despite strong showings as a taller-framed forward that can work in the air and at ground level. Trailing the likes of Michael Walters, Nat Fyfe, Sam Switkowski and Lachie Schultz come selection, opportunities at senior level are likely to be easier away from Cockburn.

Off-contract and potentially of interest to Victorian clubs looking to add to their forward line, Sturt could be a cheap trade target for Carlton to weigh up. The Blues have their tall forwards sorted in Coleman Medal pair Harry McKay and Charlie Curnow, but a complementing medium-sized option like Sturt could fill a hole if out-of-contract pair Tom De Koning and/or Jack Silvagni leave the Blues at the end of 2023.

Jade Gresham

Carlton have been touted as a leading suitor for St Kilda free agent Jade Gresham, who is weighing up his options for 2024 and beyond.

The South Morang junior is said to have interest from both the Blues and Hawthorn, with the former ideally looking to bolster their attacking options and potentially add to their midfield depth.

Much like a Zac Fisher and Jack Martin type, Gresham can be serviceable through the front two thirds of the field as a conduit player that offers flare and excitement when on the ball.

As a restricted free agent, Gresham won't cost the Blues any trade capital unless the Saints moved to match the bid Carlton lodges for his services. With one eye on the now and the other on the future, a free-agency acquisition would be a smart move for the Blues to consider.

Kai Lohmann

Brisbane's young forward is the only first-round selection from the 2021 National Draft that is yet to sign a contract for the 2024 season.

Rival clubs are murmured to be showing some level of interest given the 20-year-old's contract status, while Lohmann has also been limited in the number of opportunities that have presented themselves at senior level.

The Lake Wendouree native was recently recalled to Chris Fagan's side before falling out again, with his two-game stint across Rounds 14 and 15 showing glimpses of what the medium-sized forward can offer.

Lohmann has booted goals in 10 of his 11 VFL appearances in 2023, including a seven-goal haul against Coburg last month, to sit 11th on the competition's goalkicking tally.

With more attacking options perhaps needed at Princes Park, Lohmann would be an astute target for the Blues to consider and wouldn't break the bank.