In a bold move, four-time premiership player Jordan Lewis has proposed that Carlton consider trading their captain, Patrick Cripps, following a disappointing start to the 2026 season. The Blues find themselves in a difficult position after losing three leads at half-time, leaving them fortunate to hold a record of 1-3, aided only by Richmond’s failure to capitalise in the opening round.
With mounting pressure on head coach Michael Voss, there are indications that Carlton might be heading towards a list overhaul. Lewis suggests that the club could take inspiration from the strategies employed by Melbourne and St Kilda during the previous trade period, where they traded out veteran players to secure draft picks and create opportunities for younger talent.
This past season, Melbourne famously traded Christian Petracca to Gold Coast for three first-round picks, while St Kilda sent their captain Jack Steele to the Demons, aiming to revamp their midfield and offer financial relief. Given Cripps’ struggles this year—averaging just 23.2 disposals, the lowest of his career—Lewis sees a potential benefit in moving him to facilitate a fresh direction for the club and pursuing championship aspirations.
While Cripps is a two-time Brownlow Medal winner and a stalwart for the club, Lewis believes trading him could be advantageous for both player and team. He emphasises the need for Carlton management to make challenging decisions for the collective future of the club. Reflecting on similar situations, Richmond great Jack Riewoldt has voiced skepticism about whether Cripps will fit into Carlton’s premiership plans, noting the emotional weight of possibly trading away a beloved player.
Cripps, who is contracted until the end of 2027, remains a critical figure in the team. However, Lewis argues that without successful list management, Carlton risks missing its opportunity to cultivate a competitive side within a few years. Other football experts, including Nathan Buckley, have highlighted that the Blues need to carefully consider how many established players to offload to rejuvenate their roster, particularly with the looming prospect of a new team from Tasmania entering the competition.
As Carlton prepares for the upcoming draft, they hold two first-round picks, including one from the Charlie Curnow trade, and are in a position to draft promising talents such as father-son prospect Cody Walker. The prospect of Cripps moving to a club like Fremantle, which is in contention for a premiership, or West Coast, who could benefit from his leadership, remains under consideration as the Blues contemplate their future strategy.