Thornton, Fisher, Russell Could Leave Carlton
Usually a team on the bottom of the ladder is looking to add some new talent with trades and early draft picks to improve their team, but Carlton is in danger of losing several young players.
This is a tricky situation as they can't afford to overpay for players, but if other teams offer bigger contracts they also need to make sure they get equal value for the players in a trade.
Thornton is the biggest name available from Carlton. He could return them a high draft pick as he is a proven tall defender. If Thornton does not sign a new deal he could go to Essendon in the preseason draft, although if he is traded his manager has said Hawthorn is where he wants to go.
Fisher has struggled with injury during his career but he is healthy now and is a useful secondary marking target. Other teams may need Fisher more than Carlton and if they can offer a ruckman in trade it could be what the Blues want.
Russell was a high draft pick of the Blues but he has been playing more with the VFL Bullants than he has with Carlton. He is a wingman with some height and still has potential. A return to South Australia is possible. Adrian Deluca's brother, Fabian, plays for Port Adelaide so there could be a trade worked out between the Power and Blues.
Carlton will have to weigh up how much they can afford to offer these players and if it is better to trade them now instead of bringing them back. With O'hAilpin a taller option at fullback they might have a replacement for Thornton already. A forward line of Fevola, Waite and Kennedy means there may not be a regular spot for Fisher. Russell doesn't seem to be a favourite of the current coach and that may not change.
Other players who may not be at Carlton include Chris Bryan, who Coach Pagan has not been happy with, Trent Sporn and veterans Prendergast and Bannister.
The trading period is about to start but instead of Carlton scooping up players from other teams they will have to first concentrate on keeping some of their own young stars.
This is a tricky situation as they can't afford to overpay for players, but if other teams offer bigger contracts they also need to make sure they get equal value for the players in a trade.
Thornton is the biggest name available from Carlton. He could return them a high draft pick as he is a proven tall defender. If Thornton does not sign a new deal he could go to Essendon in the preseason draft, although if he is traded his manager has said Hawthorn is where he wants to go.
Fisher has struggled with injury during his career but he is healthy now and is a useful secondary marking target. Other teams may need Fisher more than Carlton and if they can offer a ruckman in trade it could be what the Blues want.
Russell was a high draft pick of the Blues but he has been playing more with the VFL Bullants than he has with Carlton. He is a wingman with some height and still has potential. A return to South Australia is possible. Adrian Deluca's brother, Fabian, plays for Port Adelaide so there could be a trade worked out between the Power and Blues.
Carlton will have to weigh up how much they can afford to offer these players and if it is better to trade them now instead of bringing them back. With O'hAilpin a taller option at fullback they might have a replacement for Thornton already. A forward line of Fevola, Waite and Kennedy means there may not be a regular spot for Fisher. Russell doesn't seem to be a favourite of the current coach and that may not change.
Other players who may not be at Carlton include Chris Bryan, who Coach Pagan has not been happy with, Trent Sporn and veterans Prendergast and Bannister.
The trading period is about to start but instead of Carlton scooping up players from other teams they will have to first concentrate on keeping some of their own young stars.
