Carlton's nightmare continues at the hands of St Kilda

Injury Free? What like Pickett?

Unless it is an incredible deal for Carlton, I can't see the point in giving up access to the number 1 player in the draft in a rebuild. There are players that are available at a cheaper cost to the club that can give immediate short term assistance, while Carlton continue to build for the long term through the draft. I'd feel like Carlton have baulked in a game of chicken if we trade out that number one pick for anything, but the most one sided deal in recent history. Carlton have preached staying the course, it will be interesting to see if they have the ticker to stay the course this off season and the innovation to also fix the here and now

Peter, a few clubs will have problems keeping some near top talent because of the salary cap especially after some of the trades coming up. Carlton can afford to pay overs within their salary cap and if it is clear that they are bolstering their list with established players then I believe players will be happy to come.

That is the biggest problem with trading away the 1st pick, getting an elite mid wanting to be at the blues. Most likely they will pick up Walsh and then use remaining picks/trades to get a fasolo, hall etc. I'm all for trading pick 1, however the blues need to get the right deal for it. 2 and 16 sounds nice if it gets us Walsh and something of value to trade with in no.16. I'm also wondering how much would Adelaide actually part with for pick 1. Might get more value from them noting their high interest in this kid. I have heard suggestions McGovern and 8, 14 for pick 1. Doubt we'd get that tho.

Wallis is a free agent and definitely no to Blair. Fasolo would be handy in the pocket but only at the right price and if he's injury free. It's going to be an interesting trade/free agency period for Carlton this year.

Kane, Andrew, here is my scenario if Carlton want Walsh instead of Lukosius. Gold Coast currently have pick 2 and will more than likely end up with pick 3 as compensation for Lynch. I would think that Gold Coast would want a replacement for Lynch and Lukosius would be a good get along with one of the King boys. Carlton swap pick 1 for pick 2 and Gold Coasts other first rounder which is currently 16 but could change depending on where West Coast end up, or pick 2 and a player like Touk Miller or Ben Ainsworth (both Melbourne boys. Carlton still ends up with Walsh and either pick 16 (currently) or Walsh and either of Ainsworth or Miller. I know people are saying that we could trade pick 1 for a quality midfielder but first thing you have to do is convince them to come to the Blues.

Jarrod Blair? You can't be serious. You must be his old man.

Miles should be at Carlton next year. I also think we should be looking at Jaryd Blair or Fasalo. Aaron Hall, despitethe knocks on the defensive aspect of his game? And of course Wallis from the Bulldogs, but that would cost us something. Then there will be the veteran free agents being pushed out of other clubs lists due to their age rather than ability that we don't have to trade anything for

Plenty of players suitable for Carlton with value for one to two years and a couple who should be of interest if offered say four year contracts to supplement the development of recent recruits. MacKay, Mundy, Miles, Blair, Wallis, Dalhaus and Fasolo. Must make a statement at the end of year keeping number 1 draft pick and not clogging their list with the addition of 'B' graders on 1 and 2 year contracts.

Yes Aransan the Blues must get experienced mids into the club right now but who will want to come and wait years for a chance to contend? If they keep Cripps, then they must get some players struggling to break into their sides ones. As an example I have no doubt Jarryd Blair would be in the top 5 in the Blues b and f this year, maybe even 2nd to Cripps and he cant break into Pies senior side. Greenwood would be another they should target.

Kane and Andrew, it might involve a couple of trades starting with pick 1 but I think two A grade players would be achievable and a good result for Carlton. I would also be looking for a couple of players delisted by other clubs just because of age to assist the development your younger players.

I agree Kane. A gun mid and a top 10 pick for pick 1 otherwise, just go for Walsh and try picking up a few handy mids.

Anthony Miles would be a great acquisition, he's tough and finds a lot of the ball. He'd be great for Cripps. He would be picked in most sides in the league but unfortunately for him he's playing for a club that has plenty of his type of players. He wouldn't cost much either to get him. I played with his older brother years ago and they are a fantastic family and are of great character. He would be ideal for Carlton.

And fancy being so unaware of your audience to think that was an idea worth repeating. It is infantile.

I'd be happy to give up pick 1 but it would need to involve getting 2 gun midfielders or 1 gun midfielder and a top 10 pick in return for it to be a win for us. Adelaide are by all reports are desperate for Lukosius so Carlton should be asking for Matt Crouch and their 1st rounder. If they're not happy with that then we deal with someone else or take it to the draft. Time to be a hard a$% at trade time, if other club's want the pick then make them pay for it.

Himself.

If Polson shows improvement over the next few weeks he will probably stay. I would keep lamb for depth, but hopefully he is not in our best 22 next season

An uncompetitive midfield this season has put incredible pressure on an undermanned defense and provided poor service to the forward line. Carlton don't need the complete overhaul many think, in fact a lot of the pieces are likely already in place. It's simple for Carlton this off season fix the midfield and even in the midfield a lot of the pieces are already in place. Potential is a dirty word, but 23 and under Carlton have Cripps, Fisher, Cunningham, SPS, Dow, O'Brien and Kennedy. Sure not all of those players will reach the heights we hope, but that is a talented group of young midfielders. We could possibly be adding Sam Walsh to that list soon. That would be 7 highly rated young midfielders on the list. Potential is great, but of course Carlton need midfield help in the here and now . That is greatest failing of the list going into 2018, hopefully corrected for 2019. With the young group coming through and our current group of veterans the addition of 3 quality mature aged midfielders and an upgrade on Lamb would make a significant difference to Carltons fortunes in 2019. And they don't have to be superstars, but they do need to be genuine competitors to bring that attitude to the club. With the young group coming through they also don't need to be at the club more than a couple years. Free agents mean Carlton don't have to trade existing assets. So 3 midfielders and a small forward. The question is which should we target and which players can we convince to come to the club?

It has been the worst season I can remember as a Carlton supporter, but as negative as I can be all this doom and gloom stuff on the blues future is a little over the top at the moment. Carlton went into the season with an acknowledged lack of depth in the midfield. The lack of depth and maturity in our midfield, along with so many injuries, particularly to our defensive group has resulted in what we have seen this season. But honestly, if Carlton make the right moves in the offseason the improvement isn't that far away. Our defensive unit looked pretty settled coming into the season, but injuries to Docherty, Williamson , Byrne, Marchbank and now Plowman has damaged the area of the ground which had been Carltons strength the last 2seasons. As for the forward line if Harry Mckay lives up to the potential he is teasing with, Carlton have their two key forwards in place for the next 10 years. Pickett (mostly injured) and Wright are quality small forwards, but Carlton need to upgrade Jed Lamb. When our midfield depth improves those players will also rotate through the forward line. I think the forward itself is less of a problem than the service it received from our midfield this season.

I would play Kerridge each weekfor that very reason, he competes. So many in our current 22 play as though competing is an option. Forget potential talent Carlton need to play the players that work the hardest. By the end of the season Bolton at least has to have (re) set the standard of the required level of effort required to compete in the AFL. You don't have to win every time you compete, but they must compete in every contest with the intent to win.