SEN news breaker Sam McClure is reporting Carlton is set to conduct a major midfield shake-up in the offseason, in an attempt to beef up their engine room.
The Blues finished 16th this season, winning just six matches, after being victorious seven times in 2016. However, with five NAB Rising Star nominations (Caleb Marchbank, Sam Petrevski-Seton, David Cuningham, Jack Silvagni, Charlie Curnow), Carlton seems to be on the right track.
McClure reckons an aggressive mindset in the trade period could see the Blues’ rebuild fast-tracked.
“Tom Rockliff met with Carlton yesterday, and we believe he will also be meeting with Port Adelaide,” he told SEN Breakfast.
“Carlton is well in front of Port Adelaide in their pursuit of Tom Rockliff. As it stands, with Bryce Gibbs yet to be officially requesting a trade back to the Adelaide Crows, Carlton is desperately trying to increase their midfield depth.
“They want Gibbs and Rockliff playing in the same midfield. They’re also very interested in Matthew Kennedy, who may be forced out of Greater Western Sydney, he has had his injury worries this year but is highly rated internally at the Giants, and externally by other clubs, particularly by Stephen Silvagni.
“Devon Smith is also very much on Carlton’s radar, and with Geelong now turning their attention to Jake Stringer and Gary Ablett, Devon Smith may find his way to Princes Park next season.”
Smith was left out of the Giants’ three finals matches, and concerns still surround the magnitude of his knee ailment, which will come under consideration in the player exchange season.
“There is interest from other clubs into what degree his [Smith’s] knee injury is debilitating,” McClure said.
“He has struggled with his knee and struggled to get up from week to week. He trained fully ahead of the Preliminary Final, but the week before, was really struggling with knee soreness.
“There will be a fair bit of due diligence, particularly from the Carlton footy club, and his medical, to see what kind of knee injury Devon Smith has.”