Carlton Blues

How Blues have cash to splash in 2022

Carlton will reportedly have ample cap space to use at year’s end.

Published by
Jack Jovanovski

Carlton are reportedly set to enter this year's trade and free agency periods with abundant cap space as the club looks to add more talent to its improving list.

The navy Blues are riding high under first-year senior coach Michael Voss and are shaping to qualify for their first finals series since the 2013 season.

It is understood that the Blues are interested in out-of-contract Port Adelaide speedster Karl Amon, as well as Melbourne's Angus Brayshaw and Adelaide's Lachie Sholl.

Carlton has been an active participant in the trade and free agency periods in recent times, with the club's 2021 off-season haul consisting of ex-Docker Adam Cerra, former Swan George Hewett and defensive Bulldog Lewis Young.

According to The Age, the Blues spent below their salary cap across the 2018 and 2019 seasons, giving them an edge for the following years, where they also front-ended key contracts.

The decision could see the Blues have enough left in the bank to lock down key signatures in Harry McKay and Charlie Curnow prior to their contract's expirations at the cessation of next season.

McKay is among a handful of star Blues who have recently re-signed on wages below their potential asking price on the open market.

Midfield duo Sam Walsh and Patrick Cripps, along with defender Jacob Weitering, all inked new long-term deals with the club in the past 12 months.

While a key focus of signings will take place internally at Princes park, the Blues are one of the multiple teams showing an early intrigue in Amon.

The 26-year-old Power wingman has averaged 22.2 disposals, 4.4 marks and 5.2 tackles this season and would add even more running power to a squad that already boasts Adam Saad and Zac Williams.

Like Amon, Brayshaw is a restricted free agent at the conclusion of this season.

However, it is hard to imagine the Demons not matching an offer sheet for such an integral part of their premiership core.

The Crows' Sholl poses as the most gettable of the three despite being the only one currently contracted beyond 2022.

Lachlan Sholl during the AFL match between Essendon and Adelaide, Round 4, 2022 (Photo by Cameron Grimes / Zero Digital Media

The 22-year-old, who has managed a career-high average of 19.6 disposals to go along with 4.2 marks and two clearances per game across nine matches this season, has ties to Princes Park with his father, Brett, having played for the club from 1992 to 1994.

But, with Sholl having played in all nine of the Crows' games thus far, it would seem that the youngster is a valued asset at West Lakes and may not be headed anywhere anytime soon.

Either way, recent history and their current cap space situation suggest the Blues will at least attempt to lure a name or two to the club during the upcoming transfer periods.

Published by
Jack Jovanovski