A PAIR of talented twins are set to land at Carlton via this year’s AFL Draft, though the Blues’ intake is likely to be headlined by their potentially draft-altering pick three decision. After a stunning trade period, what can the Victorian powerhouse conjure with its earliest selection since Sam Walsh in 2018?

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2024 RECORD: 8th | 13-10 | 110.2% | Eliminated: Elimination Final
2024 PICKS: 3, 38, 63, 68, 69, 72
FUTURE PICKS: BL R2, CAR R3, CAR R4
ACADEMY/FATHER-SON NOMINEES: Ben Camporeale, Lucas Camporeale (both father-son) 

FIRST PICK:
Pick 3

Having made a bold move to trade up to pick three, Carlton faces a tough decision as to how to bolster its midfield stocks. A point of difference seems to be in favour, and given the Blues are a strong contested unit, perhaps a prospect with speed and slick ball movement is in the offing.

Enter Sid Draper, South Australia’s top talent and an electric on-ball asset. The South Adelaide product, who played senior footy with former Carlton champion Bryce Gibbs last year, offers exactly the kind of line-breaking pace the Blues need. He is also ready to go, which fits the club’s premiership window.

Draper endured an injury interrupted start to the season but began to find his feet during the National Championships and went on to finish strongly at League level. His professionalism and experience will hold him in good stead, quickly rejuvenating Carlton’s midfield stocks. The Blues met with him on Friday.

If not Draper, then who? Finn O’Sullivan has long been linked to the Blues and is the cousin of Sam Walsh. He came into the year as the consensus leading prospect but faced a string of seperate injury setbacks before serving a reminder of his all-round talent late in the campaign.

O’Sullivan’s athletic profile, particularly his leap and explosive speed, will appeal to Carlton’s needs. He’s a little smaller than the Blues’ current midfield crop at 182cm, and has the right inside-outside balance. Not a heavy accumulator, he’s more of a high impact-per-possession kind of player.

Another prospect in the frame will be O’Sullivan’s Oakleigh Chargers teammate, Jagga Smith. The prolific, fleet footed midfielder was named All-Australian captain and truly excelled in the run home, but posted remarkably consistent numbers throughout the season. He has Nick Daicos-type traits.

While the contenders seems to have been narrowed down to three players, there are a few other scenarios in the pipeline. Carlton will likely be the club to pull the trigger on a bid for Brisbane father-son prospect Levi Ashcroft, with Richmond and North Melbourne not expected to do.

The Tigers, who hold pick one, have been linked to either O’Sullivan, Smith, or Sam Lalor with said selection. O’Sullivan is also a chance to go to North should they retain pick two. Lalor would add size and explosiveness both through midfield and as a chop-out option up forward.

Other midfielders like Harvey Langford and Josh Smillie will also be available, though at over 190cm respectively and without genuine leg speed, they arguably don’t suit the Blues’ needs. Whichever way Carlton goes, its selection is set to be a key pivot point at the top of the order.

REMAINING CROP:

A key talking point of Carlton’s trade strategy and draft planning has been mobilising to match bids on father-son nominees Ben and Lucas Camporeale – twin sons of 1995 premiership player, Scott. Ben is the more highly touted of the two, poised to attract interest precariously close to Carlton’s second pick.

The hard-running accumulator earned All-Australian honours and was named South Australia’s MVP this year having converted to an inside midfielder. St Kilda is said to be a potential bidder with pick 32, though ideally Carlton will hear his name read out after getting on the board again with pick 38.

Lucas Camporeale is considered an option later in the draft and may well be taken with the Blues’ final selection. With the club likely to take on four fresh faces, that leaves one more list spot left to fill. Perhaps a long-term key position option suits best, one who is versatile enough to play at both ends.

Calder Cannons utility Harry O’Farrell is a key back who can swing forward. He unfortunately faced a few untimely injury setbacks but would otherwise likely have been in top 25 contention. His father, Peter famously represented Carlton at the appeal which saw Patrick Cripps‘ 2022 suspension overturned.

There are a few more key position players in the Blues’ hitting zone. Noah Mraz has offers great running power and versatility, while Charlie Nicholls has great speed for his size as a key forward who spent time behind the ball. There’s also James Barrat, who is slightly smaller but a strong contested marker.

The Blues might even look in their own backyard for a tall option in Liam McMahon, who spearheaded the club’s VFL side and was previously listed by Collingwood. Otherwise, bids on Academy players Adrian Cole (St Kilda) and Joel Cochran (Sydney) would not be out of place, either.

KEY QUESTIONS:

– Who will the Blues choose with pick three?
– Will the Ben Camporeale bid arrive after pick 38?
– Can Carlton address its list needs late in the piece?