Carlton is open to trading out Picks 9 and 11 to secure a future first-round pick, as well as more draft points to match any bid for father-son prospect Harry Dean.
Through trades with Hawthorn and Sydney, the Blues added the top-end selections, but are keen to push one of them forward in anticipation of fellow father-son gun Cody Walker, who is tipped as a Pick 1 contender in 2026.
They already have the Swans’ 2026 first-round pick after sending Charlie Curnow to New South Wales.
The Blues hold Picks 43, 54, 67, 72, 87 and 105 on top of the pair of first-round selections, but could look to bolster their hand to ensure they welcome NGA prospect Jack Ison and Dean, as well as a potential third pick later on the night.
According to AFL Media’s Cal Twomey, the Ikon Park club is open to discussions, but will likely make its moves on draft night as it attempts to gain a better understanding of when a Dean bid will come.
Carlton-tied draft prospect Harry Dean training with the Blues in the pre-season (Image via Carlton FC)
Twomey added that Adelaide could look to improve their first selection, which is currently at Pick 16.
“Carlton is looking at doing trades with Pick 9 and Pick 11,” Twomey said on Gettable.
“But may well wait until draft night to do that. So the draft picks trade window is only open to Friday, November 7. There’s a bit of a gap between the close of that and the draft.
“By then, the Blues will have a much better idea of where the bid will come for Harry Dean, and that’ll shape their draft plans.
“Ideally, they’d like to turn Pick 9 into a future first-round pick, another one, and then Pick 11 into more points to match Dean, then (Jack) Ison and then maybe a third later pick.
“They could also hold and swallow the pick, given the bids won’t be far away from that.
“Adelaide is a club with some interest in pushing up the board from 16 to 9, but there is a way to go on that.
ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 16: Jordan Dawson of the Crows runs onto the field during the 2025 AFL Round 01 match between the Adelaide Crows and the St Kilda Saints at Adelaide Oval on March 16, 2025 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
“Carlton will do trades, but not before draft night.
“Also on Carlton’s mind will be the next bidding system that is coming in in 2026, given the Cody Walker factor.”
The AFL will watch closely how the current draft system unfolds before making its wholesale changes in December for next year.