Carlton are right in the premiership mix this year and could be one list piece away from going that extra step or two in the coming years.
Come the trade and free agency period, the Victorian powerhouse may look toward sharpening its spear and add medium or smaller-framed forwards who can support their threatening Coleman Medal-winning combination of Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay.
The Blues are also keen to add to their draft hand this year instead of moving on picks given their ties to father-son duo Lucas and Ben Camporeale, meaning free agents and cheaper trade deals will be preferred.
With a handful of suitable targets still without deals for next season, we've named five potential targets for Carlton to consider this off-season.
OTHER TRADE TARGETS: ADELAIDE, BRISBANE, COLLINGWOOD
3. Ben Ainsworth
Another free agent who would appeal to the Blues given their list needs and desire to increase their draft hand, not minimise it.
Ainsworth looks to be having another consistently strong year under new coach Damien Hardwick, going at almost a goal per game from his 15.62 disposals and 4.77 marks from his 13 appearances so far in 2024.
Much like Stengle, Ainsworth suits the type of player Carlton could chase this off-season and would come at no cost other than in the form of his salary - pending the Suns don't match a rival's bid for the restricted free agent.
He's likely to fall in a similar or lower range to Stengle as far as salary, meaning the Blues might need to get a little creative in how they manage their long-term contracts.
