Carlton Football Club is preparing for a notable shakeup with Graham Wright poised to assume the role of CEO by July. As reported by Nine AFL journalist Damien Barrett, Wright’s leadership may lead to significant changes, even considering trade offers for star players such as Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay. This prospect comes in light of the club’s apparent acceptance that Tom De Koning is likely to leave as a free agent for St Kilda.
Curnow and McKay, both former Coleman Medallists, are bound by lucrative contracts, adding to Carlton’s tight salary cap issues. Barrett noted that Wright, who has previously constructed premiership teams at Collingwood and Hawthorn, is prepared to be proactive during this trade period. He suggested that should Carlton receive a viable trade proposal for any of their high-profile players, Wright would be willing to engage in negotiations. This approach mirrors his past at Collingwood, where he parted ways with key players like Brodie Grundy and Adam Treloar, ultimately leading to the Magpies’ 2023 championship victory.
Further complicating matters, Geelong and Hawthorn are reportedly eyeing Carlton’s star midfielder, Sam Walsh, as he approaches free agency in 2026. Matthew Lloyd has weighed in on the potential for Carlton to trade Curnow, arguing that the rarity of elite key forwards makes such a decision risky. Curnow had been a strong contender for the Coleman Medal over the past few years but faced injuries that hindered his performance.
Despite the uncertainty, Carlton’s season isn’t beyond salvation. They currently find themselves three wins away from the finals contention and will clash with Essendon in a highly anticipated round 12 face-off, a game Lloyd categorised as evenly matched. With Wright’s imminent arrival, Carlton appears ready to rethink their strategy and potentially reshape their roster in pursuit of a brighter future.