Carlton have made two bold bets that this year’s disappointing campaign is merely a bump on the way to their premiership destiny.
It started with the Blues’ decision to trade their future first– and second-round picks on Friday to secure Hawthorn’s No.14 selection, which paved the way for a second blockbuster deal with West Coast on Monday that saw them grab the Eagles’ No.3 choice.
Nick Austin, Carlton Head of List Management speaks at the opening of the AFL Trade Period at Marvel Stadium.Credit: AFL Photos
Carlton – who barely scraped into the top eight in 2024 after a stunning preliminary final surge 12 months ago – have not had a draft pick that early since anointing Sam Walsh as the dux of the 2018 class.
Now armed with pick three, the Blues are chips in for season 2025.
They are not due to enter next year’s draft until the second round (tied to Brisbane), which could be in the late 30s or early 40s. But Carlton won’t care if they are holding the premiership cup aloft for the first time since 1995.
List boss Nick Austin has barely put a foot wrong since crossing from the Western Bulldogs ahead of the 2020 season, and has a great opportunity with this top-three pick to help deliver this club a long-awaited flag.
The Blues may even use their shiny new selection from West Coast on one of Walsh’s relatives, with the star midfielder’s second cousin, Oakleigh Chargers on-baller Finn O’Sullivan, one of this year’s best prospects.
