Carlton's draft picks are “on the table” says list manager

Carlton is open to trading out their draft picks to improve their hand ahead of this year’s National Draft.

The Blues acquired Blake Acres in a trade with Fremantle, but have now turned their attention to the draft, given they have only had three live selections in the last two years.

Club list manager Nick Austin confirmed they are open to pick swap trades.

“From a picks point of view it could be three or four or five, we’ve still got a bit to work through with our list and who comes in and who goes out and what we’re going to do with our picks,” Austin told AFL Trade Radio.

“We feel like we’re in a good position with our draft hand to be able to move around a bit and I think there’s going to be some opportunities to do that as some deals get done and more particularly on (draft night) itself.

“We’d like to improve our (draft) hand as much as we can. Obviously with the future (picks) market as well.

“The option is there to strengthen our hand if we feel there is an opportunity. We’re pretty open. We’ve been open with all the clubs that our picks are on the table and we’re happy to improve our hand as much as we feel necessary and if the right player is there.

“We’ll work through that. Whether stuff happens this week or not, I feel like on the night there will be some opportunities to do that.”

The Blues enter the draft with picks 10, 29, 49, 66 and 68 at the present time.

With Ed Curnow set to be retained, Will Setterfield is the only Carlton player who remains out of contract.

Austin said the Blues hope to retain the midfielder, but have given him the opportunity to explore a trade.

“I haven't had any discussions with Essendon, we're still working through with Will's management with what his future looks like. Again, he's out of contract and it his right to see what is out there,” he said.

“In a perfect world we’d love to retain Will.”

Fellow midfielder Paddy Dow is also exploring a trade, but is contracted for the 2023 season.