Carlton’s disappointing season, which saw them miss the finals, is prompting critical evaluations and decisions as the end of the year approaches. While the future of head coach Michael Voss is uncertain, the club’s focus extends to potential trades involving key players such as Charlie Curnow, Harry McKay, and Sam Walsh. Former Brownlow Medallist Brad Hardie asserts that only one of these stars should be deemed untouchable.
This off-season, the Blues will have Graham Wright, the former head of football at Collingwood and Hawthorn, stepping into a pivotal role. Hardie expressed confidence in Wright’s ability to make tough decisions, noting that the club sought a seasoned football CEO to guide them through this transition.
Trading big-name players is not without precedent; Hardie highlighted examples like Tony Lockett and Gary Ablett Jr. changing clubs, underscoring that no player is truly immune from being traded. He argued that Carlton must be bold, tasked with trading valuable assets for meaningful gains. According to Hardie, the only players safe from trade considerations are co-captain Patrick Cripps, defender Jacob Weitering, and forward Curnow, who still has significant growth potential.
Meanwhile, the club faces the likelihood of losing starting ruckman Tom De Koning to St Kilda, with speculation about his departure growing as he remains unsigned. Former Collingwood captain Tony Shaw raised concerns about St Kilda’s ability to manage De Koning alongside their current ruckman, Rowan Marshall. Neither player excels in a forward role, which complicates matters on-field.
Shaw suggested that if Marshall were to consider a trade, he could be a perfect fit for Carlton, especially if De Koning exits. He proposed that the Blues could save cap space by replacing De Koning with Marshall, considering Marshall’s capabilities as a seasoned ruckman.
However, the logistical challenge remains: Carlton would need to surrender draft assets to secure Marshall, particularly since De Koning would leave as a free agent. Richmond legend Matthew Richardson echoed Shaw’s concerns, expressing doubt about the feasibility of having two primary ruckmen on St Kilda’s roster, questioning how they might integrate both players effectively.
Currently, Carlton lacks a first-round draft pick due to a previous trade for midfielder Jagga Smith but anticipates receiving compensation in the form of a top-10 pick for De Koning’s potential departure. After recently suffering three consecutive losses, including two heavy defeats, the club finds itself at a pivotal juncture, needing to make strategic and potentially uncomfortable choices to redirect their future.