Carlton forward Charlie Curnow won't feature for the Blues in 2020 after ongoing knee setbacks, with the luckless spearhead now being urged to be used as trade bait in the upcoming off-season.
Melbourne great Gary Lyon suggested the Blues place the 23-year-old on the trade table in hope of getting some value in return.
Speaking on AFL Nation, Lyon said David Teague's overwhelming forward stocks could mean the Blues move Curnow on to a second club.
“So go and get uber aggressive and throw Charlie Curnow out (to be traded),” he said.
“Just throw it out and say ‘we want Charlie and we want him to stay but give us your best’ and if something ridiculous like Tom Papley and something else comes your way, that’s what clubs have got to get to.
“I’d keep Charlie because I’m not brave enough to put him on the trade table because I’d be petrifie that he might come back to bite you on the backside but it might be the play.
“That would be a new Carlton … but I’m not that brave.”
Lyon added that Carlton's list is closing in on a premiership window, with some adjustments needed to break into a successful era.
“Most parts (of their) side are OK I think,” he said.
“The back half, I think it’s pretty solid. I think Kade Simpson probably (doesn’t go on) but Nic Newman comes back so that all sits OK.
“The midfield probably needs a little shot but most midfielders probably do but with their forwards, they’ve got to work out who they’re going with. Then there may be some bargaining chips for them (during the trade period).
“Then it becomes about style, Patrick Cripps is pivotal to it all and does Sam Walsh continues to develop and do both Sam Petrevski-Seton and Paddy Dow get there.”
Carlton face Sydney on Tuesday at Metricon Stadium for their must-win round 16 clash.