Two things are starting to emerge from the fog as far as I can see;

That there are a great many fringe players and 'AFL grade non-star' players who are open to moving for better opportunities or to play their best role.

That the 2026 draft quality goes reasonably deep and with player types we would like to have.

I feel like this isn't the year for going after high-cost guns. The worst thing would be to fall into Carlton's illness of having a collection of stars but never being able to sustain a full side of genuine AFL level players, leaving exploitable weak spots everywhere and stars asked to do too much.

Unless there's a prospect who is young, likely to spend most of their career in All-Australian conversations, and fits a role we really need to fill long term, then I've gone right off trying to lure a big name. Even Bailey Humphrey can wait for free agency.

44 minutes ago, Little Goffy said:

Two things are starting to emerge from the fog as far as I can see;

That there are a great many fringe players and 'AFL grade non-star' players who are open to moving for better opportunities or to play their best role.

That the 2026 draft quality goes reasonably deep and with player types we would like to have.

I feel like this isn't the year for going after high-cost guns. The worst thing would be to fall into Carlton's illness of having a collection of stars but never being able to sustain a full side of genuine AFL level players, leaving exploitable weak spots everywhere and stars asked to do too much.

Unless there's a prospect who is young, likely to spend most of their career in All-Australian conversations, and fits a role we really need to fill long term, then I've gone right off trying to lure a big name. Even Bailey Humphrey can wait for free agency.

I think we are in a great position to attract fringe/developing players. One of the most pleasing things about our new era is how we have seen improvement in the likes of Sharpe, Kole, Sparrow and Howes along with recycled players like Steele and Checkers.

If we can identify players that we can perhaps JT liked in their draft year, have the attributes needed for our current game plan but just hasn’t clicked for them at the level yet. If Mr King and Tim Lamb came knocking you’d be foolish not to be keen.

have liked Rivers less and less over the last few years.. obviously in that age group that we lack in (24-28) but, disposal still an ongoing issue. not a mid for mine. do like him in the backline. puts his body on the line, long raking kick and hurts in tackles. coming out of the midfield/centre square, his kicks return with interest.

if he is keen to go back to defence, that is awesome. however, if he isn't, trade him out and get someone in the same age bracket for our midfield.

Long way to go, but if at the end of the year we’re playing finals and it looks like we’re going to be a team of prominence again, could you drag Weitering out of Carlton? We’d desperately need a key defender IF we’re trying to compete again. Would Blues do it to get a first rounder or two in before Tassie? He was a Demons supporter and only 28, we’ve seen what a fresh start can do to a player like Steele.

On 13/04/2026 at 11:35, BLWNBA said:

I'm still a massive advocate for Darcy Wilson. I think he really suits the King gameplan and adds some genuine pace and acceleration. His disposal is actually a lot better than quite a few we have running around and a step up on the likes of Sparrow. In terms of attributes I see him as another player you can have playing that high-half forward / connecting role and could even be a long-term replacement for Melksham.

I'm a big fan and he's still only 21.

Granted, he's not going to be a freebie and we'd need to give up a bit to get him, but for mine he's a very viable option - at least from a list improvement perspective.

Still think Sparrow is not up to it ???

14 minutes ago, Greg Schneider said:

Long way to go, but if at the end of the year we’re playing finals and it looks like we’re going to be a team of prominence again, could you drag Weitering out of Carlton? We’d desperately need a key defender IF we’re trying to compete again. Would Blues do it to get a first rounder or two in before Tassie? He was a Demons supporter and only 28, we’ve seen what a fresh start can do to a player like Steele.

I would only do this trade if we were certain that this is the ONE thing we need to become a genuine flag contender. 29 next year and a history of injuries, however is probably a top 3 KPD in footy, definite top 5. I think we also need more midfield power as well with another defender, so we shouldn't be putting our eggs in one basket.

I would personally rather get 2 more quality first rounders in from JT and go for Jordan Butts or Buku Khamis who come at less capital and trade cost and play a role in our team with Disco, Petts (career is uncertain) and Rick (30).

Edited 6 hours ago6 hr by KoltTheRam
addition to post

Paywalled but after the last few years I feel like I’m in the Twilight Zone reading this - https://thewest.com.au/sport/west-coast-eagles/motormouth-mitch-why-west-coast-eagles-should-be-worried-about-melbourne-demons-poaching-their-stars-c-22194302

Not much in it but basically just saying that we could be an attractive club for their young Victorian talent like Reid and Duursma

30 minutes ago, Greg Schneider said:

Long way to go, but if at the end of the year we’re playing finals and it looks like we’re going to be a team of prominence again, could you drag Weitering out of Carlton? We’d desperately need a key defender IF we’re trying to compete again. Would Blues do it to get a first rounder or two in before Tassie? He was a Demons supporter and only 28, we’ve seen what a fresh start can do to a player like Steele.

I was thinking about this exact thing a few days ago. Where I landed was he's just a fraction too old for our list demographic.

Two years younger and he'd be perfect at the end of 2026.

Edited 6 hours ago6 hr by Adam The God

33 minutes ago, Greg Schneider said:

Long way to go, but if at the end of the year we’re playing finals and it looks like we’re going to be a team of prominence again, could you drag Weitering out of Carlton? We’d desperately need a key defender IF we’re trying to compete again. Would Blues do it to get a first rounder or two in before Tassie? He was a Demons supporter and only 28, we’ve seen what a fresh start can do to a player like Steele.

I like this, we desperately need a big solid defender as we are seeing key forwards kicking bags of goals again

weitering is one of the best key defenders in the competition - i would be very surprised if the baggers were willing to let him go; he's one of the few genuine a-grade players

if he was to leave the baggers you'd imagine he'd command significant trade collateral and a fair chunk of salary cap

he would certainly be in high demand if he wanted to leave them

1 hour ago, whatwhat say what said:

weitering is one of the best key defenders in the competition - i would be very surprised if the baggers were willing to let him go; he's one of the few genuine a-grade players

if he was to leave the baggers you'd imagine he'd command significant trade collateral and a fair chunk of salary cap

he would certainly be in high demand if he wanted to leave them

He's also had a few concussions in recent times

The price we'd pay and the price Carlton would accept are too far apart

When Tom Campbell pulls the plug, who we going for?