The player Dwayne Russell thinks Carlton should target to fill small forward hole

SEN host Dwayne Russell thinks that Carlton needs to address their small forward issue this off-season.

While Matt Owies kicked 33 goals from 23 games in 2024, the 27-year-old could be at a new club in 2025 and if he leaves, that means that their next options at small forward all kicked 10 or fewer goals each in Lachlan Fogarty (9), Orazio Fantasia (9), and Jesse Motlop (6).

Russell thinks that the Blues could target a small forward in the draft as he feels they don’t take as much time to develop as talls, while he thinks they should also go after Sydney’s Sam Wicks who has played 16 AFL games this season.

“Small guys don't take as much time to develop,” Russell said on SEN Afternoons.

“Harry Sheezel was a small forward in his draft year … small forwards don’t take as much time as talls.

“Carlton tried to get Tom Papley a few years ago, but it didn’t work, but look, I’d be getting Sam Wicks.”

While draftees often take some time to develop and Carlton is in a rush given that they’re in ‘win-now’ mode, Russell thinks that some smart drafting could make an instant impact.

He pointed to Geelong’s addition of mature-aged recruit Shaun Mannagh in the 2023 Draft after the 27-year-old kicked three goals to go with 23 disposals and seven inside 50s in the Cats’ Qualifying Final win over Port Adelaide.

“If you look at what Geelong's done, there are players out there,” Russell said.

“They've been able to find Shaun Mannaugh out of nowhere as a small, chase-down, tackling, goal-creating forward.

“They're out there if your recruiters are good enough.”

Wicks is currently contracted until the end of the 2025 season. The 24-year-old isn’t playing senior football at the moment after being handed a four-match ban in the VFL.