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.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Hall is not what you need. Flakey, inconsistent, front runner. Carlton needs tough, big bodies, strong leaders. Players with work ethic. I don’t Hall shows any of those characters. Miles, absolutely would be perfect Candidate
Kane
Guest
Miles is a must in my opinion, he'd be perfect alongside Cripps and he probably wouldn't cost any more than a late 3rd rounder maybe even 4th rounder.
Steve009
Roar Rookie
Hall, Miles, McVeigh, Sam Walsh and target a midfielder in that 24 - 27 year old bracket, Gaff would be nice. Job done. I would also like an upgrade on Lamb on the half forward flank, but keep lamb for depth
Steve009
Roar Rookie
Isn't Hall also a free agent? I hear plenty of negative comments about the defensive side of his game, but offensively he would immediately make an impact and immediately lift some of the midfield load being carried by Cripps, Murphy, Curnow and Fisher while we wait for the other younger players to develop into more consistent contributors. For his talent, along with his age and cost as a free agent I'd love to see him at the club next year.
Steve009
Roar Rookie
"At 12.22 Weitering and Marchbank are play key positions and in year 4 it’s time but at 12.25 Weitering needs to play behind Grundy in 2019" Inconsistent I know, but as Doc Brown will tell you there is more than one possible future outcome. Carlton regularly play 3 key defenders and I like the idea of Grundy being on infield coach for Weitering and Marchbank, but I don't really think he is coming. Like you have said the noise about all these players leaving Sydney is coming from the media not the club
Steve009
Roar Rookie
Same thinking needed, but for a different part of the ground.
Steve009
Roar Rookie
It could be another good haul of young kids coming to the club through the next draft, but it is unlikely that any of them, with the exception possibly of Walsh will be ready to contribute significantly next year or maybe even for a few years.
Steve009
Roar Rookie
"And Grundy comes in, itakes Jones’ spot and is better than Jones and we get to 15th and then Grundy retires – what happens then"......Rys Palmer that is
Steve009
Roar Rookie
A talented bunch that I look forward to seeing play for years to come and add SPS into that group, but still very young. Carltons midfield will be better next through their natural development, but still will be a long way from being able to physically compete with most other teams midfields. Need some stronger ready to play player's around them to not only help the teams chances in 2019, but in the younger players development. In 2 or 3 years time that group you mentioned along with Cripps should be a good unit, but they are not there yet.
Macca
Guest
Another year into Fisher, Dow, Kennedy and O'Brien will make the midfield more competitive then add Walsh and it get better again. That isn't to say they shouldn't get another mature mid Burbank I would be looking more at Sheed than Blair.
Macca
Guest
Hall would definitely be worth looking at Col, can go through the middle as well, good ball user and got speed.
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
I don't see the logic bringing in 34 year olds to play in defense when we already have one in Simpson and next season we have Docherty, Williamson etc coming back. The priority for Carlton is to get some experienced midfielders to help out Cripps, Dow, SPS and any midfielders drafted this year. A stronger midfield is going to help the defense as well. If they wanted a mature defender I would look at Hall from the Suns who is out of contract and probably has 5 or 6 years in him.
Steve009
Roar Rookie
Bolton can't afford to wait another 12 months for a competitive midfield
Paul D
Roar Guru
I don't know why anyone would want or trade for Jarryd Blair, unless they needed someone small to wear the mascot outfit
Justin Holley
Roar Rookie
Lol to McVeigh not saying his shit he is a star but why waste the money when we already have Simpson and Docherty makes no sense at all. Our backline is only so unorganized because we have had to use 16 players in defence this year. And Docherty has been sorely missed and no offence to McVeigh but simmo is playing better football atm and it just doesn't make any sense to pay someone else to do his job. However Jones is shit he doesn't play man on man and it forces too many goals when he tries to play the hero and doesn't work (now he does do some amazing things but I feel most games the bad outweighs the good). Carlton need experienced mids. Nothing else. With the picks we will end up this year and a couple of hopeful free agents I don't think there will be anymore than maybe 4 to 6 questionable players on the list where in recent years it was 20+.... there is question marks yes but over kids and that is still 3 to 5 years from coming to the fore really. Hannas would be a welcome inclusion no to jack he's just passed it not jusy having a bad year fisher petrevski set on and matty Kennedy all playing better than him right now. Will be another 7 to 10 changes but only maybe 4 to 5 to our best 22 the rest is development and natural progression as to who is the 22
Justin Holley
Guest
Mate it was even said on here so far have 3 picks in the top 25 and will most likely get a priority the. May even trade pick 1 for more picks..... none of those players will be there next year. I expect another and final 7 to 10 culls (well of that size of delistings) I hate Jones our defence plays better when he isn't playing because he doesn't know how to play man on man. Docherty was a bigger loss than anyone even said we dont need McVeigh doc plays years above his age and why would we bring him in when we already have Simpson makes no sense . Simpson is shitting on McVeighs year. Carlton need mids not half back flanker we have plenty thanks in byrne Williamson and Schumacher coming through. Hanas would be perfect though... and anyone sceptical is stupid
Macca
Guest
I wouldn't have an issue giving up Adelaides second rounder. If we did get him that would give us picks 11, 13 & 16 from the 2013 draft and 4,6 &15 from 2014 despite getting them almost completely wrong (with the exception if Cripps) in the actual draft.
User
Roar Rookie
2nd round is fair imo
Macca
Guest
So what would you want for him?
User
Roar Rookie
Because it might eventuate as wce need to clear a bit of room to retain gaff if he signs it might be a bargain pick up for Carlton