Carlton are looking for the reasons they’re not running out games and are being steamrolled by opposition teams after losing yet another winnable game, this time to the bottom-placed Crows.
On Monday morning Carlton fans found out with the entire footy world that Sydney’s Tom Papley, who requested a trade to Ikon Park during October’s trade period last year, is content in the Harbour City and will not be seeking a trade home to Victoria again.
This is a blow to the Blues, who were aiming to secure a small forward. Papley would have been a good fit to complement Michael Gibbons and Jack Martin along with the tall timber of Mitch McGovern and Harry McKay in 2021.
Problems in the midfield continue for the Blues, with captain Patrick Cripps not getting the support through the middle he would like. It’s taking an insurmountable toll on his body, and he’d be looking forward to a long break at the conclusion of the game against the Brisbane Lions on Saturday night.
(Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)
Carlton may have only slightly improved on last year by playing a bit more of an exciting brand of football in only a handful of games this season, but the gaping holes in the side continue to prove fatal as they search for their first finals berth since 2013.
Carlton will now look at a big-bodied midfielder who can give Cripps a chop-out – someone who is ruthless and can get the best out of a side when the chips are down. The Giants will most likely be the place the Blues look for it, as GWS have suffered a drop in form after making the grand final last year – they’ve been way off the mark this season and will most likely miss finals.
Expect them to look at restricted free agent Zac Williams as their first target. It depends on how much the Giants would like to pay him to remain at the club – Carlton have plenty of room in the salary cap to play with.
The Blues should also ask the question of Josh Kelly, who is out of favour at the Giants, and a smoky is Stephen Coniglio, who despite signing a lucrative seven-year deal was dropped in a crucial game against the Demons on Saturday night.
Richmond premiership star Jack Graham is also being touted as a required player at the Blues, with reports suggesting he’ll be offered a four-year deal to head to Royal Parade in 2021. Former Hawthorn premiership hero Jordan Lewis said on radio and TV over the last few days former teammate Isaac Smith could be a great fit for the team, with the three-time premiership player likely to be told by Hawthorn he isn’t required beyond this season.
It’d be a good idea to pick up Smith in the mould of Luke Hodge, who found success at the Lions, bringing them up from whipping-boys status to premiership contenders in the last two seasons. Smith could similarly be an amazing mentor for the young kids at the club and also bring a winning culture with him, which the Blues definitely need.
Expectations are finals or bust next year for David Teague’s men, and they need to get this trade period almost perfect after a few hiccups over the last few years under former list boss Stephen Silvagni.
It’s up to Mick Agresta and the list management team to get it to as close to perfect as possible so that the Blues can finally play finals and get out of the dark place they’ve been dwelling in for the last two decades.
Robbie22
Roar Rookie
Forget Graham all signed up.
Kane
Roar Rookie
I hope you are right because Elijah is a special talent.
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
I think so to but the ACL and the truncated form of this year play into carltons favour here, I think Riley thillthorpe will be taken pick 1, Logan McDonald pick 2, Denver Grainger Barass pick 3, Zach Reid pick 4, I think the suns will take a key forward and then I think the bombers might be the ones who take Holland’s but if they don’t the blues should take hkm
Russ
Roar Rookie
Him and Hately the Crows are targeting. We have a stack of second round picks plus another one for compensation from Rory Atkins to Gold Coast as a RFA, which they say is a done deal. Hopefully we will land one if not both of those two boys.
Kane
Roar Rookie
Elijah Hollands is going to be a star but he'll be taken in the top 4.
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
Graham will land at Adelaide.
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
I think the blues are in an odd position, I don’t think they should bet it all on the trade table instead they should keep their proverbial powder dry and look to free agency where they don’t need to trade so much. I think Williams going through the midfield is gonna make a big difference next year, I think looking at a player who might come cheap in the trade table too might help, otherwise at the draft I’d look to take Elijah Holland or Errol gulden both of whom should be available at carltons first pick.
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
Not so much out of favour but Jeremy Cameron is expected to command 1 million a year and kelly has got a get out of jail free card with his trigger clause in his contract
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
The problem is they’re not gonna get anything for McGovern unfortunately. He’s on a lot of money and he hasn’t shown his value
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Not sure Jack Graham is the answer to the Blues. Will they look at Brayden Sier I wonder? Shows promise but devoid of opportunities in Pies midfield.
sam
Guest
The Papley trade failed because Essendon wouldn't trade Daniher to Sydney, not because of Carlton's offer to Sydney.
Footy Guy
Guest
O'Brien only played one game this year, carlton won't just trade him for nothing, but he might seek opportunity at another club like hawthorn or Essendon or nth Melbourne How come liam stocker hasn't played many games this year? Injury?
Footy Guy
Guest
Jack Graham will go to Adelaide not Carlton, he's an Adelaide boy, he even said Rory Sloane was his childhood hero, he's from Adelaide, if he wanted to stay in Melbourne he'd stay with the tiges.
Jack
Guest
Dow and o brien are contracted high draft picks who won’t go anywhere. The three I think blues should try and get are josh jelly , Polec and graham . That being said watching Zac Williams his a beitiful kick
Stix
Guest
Please stop linking GWS players and big money with Carlton. We don't need any injury prone players we already have enough. GWS are the most talented but also fragile team going with overpaid entitled stars. Coniglio is on over a million per for another 6 years, no thanks. The best type of ability is availability. Its a good thing SOS missed out on Dan Butler after screwing him around waiting only to low ball Sydney for Papley and didn't get either. I.Smith will be 32 by next season and has seen better days - PASS. K.Simpson 36. 4months E.Betts 33. 9months M.Murphy 33. 1 month M.Kreuzer 31. 4 months (Retired) Lang and Moore will be the first 2 players cut. The age profile at Carlton is in excellent shape, just a couple of stars in the mid 20's over 100 games short of being a really good team. The team is consistent in a bad way - cant stop the bleeding - given away 5 goal or more runs in half the games this season when the scoring has plummeted. The list (even with bringing in 2 ready made stars) is still 40-50 games off peaking. Carlton have more than enough good young players to start trading their 1st round picks year after year to get better.
J.T. Delacroix
Guest
Graham is a ‘required player’ at another club?! I’m not sure that’s how it works. I believe he’s still well & truly ‘required’ where he currently is.
Bludger
Guest
Surely Dow, O'Brien and Kennedy need more time? McGovern should be shown the door but unfortunately he is on some sort of ironclad contract. The other guys, I just don't know enough about. We don't know whats going on off the track which might decide a few of their fates. I am largely disappointed with SOS's recruiting. I guess that is why he is no longer there. So much for a three year rebuild.
Parklane7835
Roar Rookie
Richmond Jack Graham,HAWTHORN Isaac Smith and Zac Williams will be Handy and Hope Carlton can get them during TRADE WEEK?
Russ
Roar Rookie
Not sure how you got Josh Kelly is out of favour he has been battling injuries all year.
Parklane7835
Roar Rookie
Carlton Should Trade Mitch McGovern and Paddy Dow..Also these players will not be at the club next year are Callum Moore,Darcy Lang,Hugh Goddard,Matthew Kennedy and Lachie O'Brien...?