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It’s no secret Carlton have been dismal this season, and the lack of experience has hurt the young side who are on a high after a great win against Gold Coast this past Saturday night at Metricon.
Patrick Cripps, Sam Docherty and Charlie Curnow look to be the future of the Blues as they strive to return to the finals in the next few seasons. Captain Marc Murphy, Matthew Kreuzer and Dale Thomas have been serviceable for the Blues over the years, but with another experienced body the Blues could climb up the ladder again next season.
Sydney are in crisis right now, look likely to miss finals for the first time since 2009 and could cull premiership stars as a way to rebuild the current list. Carlton should take a play out of the book of Brisbane with Luke Hodge and Melbourne with Jordan Lewis and pick up a player from Sydney that can still play their best footy in the twilight of their career.
One player is 27-year-old Dan Hannebery, who has played his worst season to date, averaging 18 disposals. He’s played only 11 games this season due to injury. Brisbane great Jonathan Brown said On The Couch on Fox Footy on Monday night that Hannebery will be on the trade table at season’s end, so he could be playing for a different side in 2019.
(AAP Image/David Moir)
Hannebery would be good to lead Carlton’s midfield, and as an on-baller he can resurrect his career and would have at least two to three good seasons left in his body if he can stay injury free. Hannebery would be best suited by getting out of Sydney, and returning home to Victoria would be a good start for the out-of-favour Swan.
Jarrod McVeigh is another player Carlton could look at as a short-term prospect. The Blues could put together a Luke Hodge or Sam Mitchell-style contract whereby he plays for a season before transitioning into coaching. McVeigh is a coach in waiting, and at 33 he’s in the twilight of his career.
McVeigh sticking around and playing one more season of AFL with Carlton would be beneficial because coach Brendon Bolton could offer him a developmental deal to be on the coaching staff in 2020. He could be a great leader down back as Sam Docherty begins to transition into a midfielder once he returns from his ACL injury.
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Kieran Jack could be another player for Carlton to look at. Jack is 31 and looks to be on his way out of Sydney at season’s end. Much like Hannebery, Jack’s had his worst career at Sydney since 2009, averaging 15 touches, but he feels he can probably still give something to the league and would be a great acquisition as a midfielder to help cover Cripps, Fisher and Curnow heading into season 2019.
Heath Grundy is the final player that Carlton could look at, a big bodied defender who can hold his own in a one-on-one. Helping out youngsters Lachie Plowman, Caleb Marchbank and Tom Williamson could be Grundy’s next step in the latter part of his career.
Sam Rowe looks to be cooked, and the resurgence of Aliir Aliir down back could hinder Grundy’s future at the Swans.
These are four players Carlton should look at and could easily get a good deal for without paying overs.
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