Hawthorn legend Dermott Brereton believes Sydney youngster Jordan Dawson should be a top target for Carlton, rather than going all-in on someone like Stephen Coniglio.
The 22-year-old has played 10 games for the Swans in 2019 and is in the midst of a breakout season, averaging 18 disposals, six marks and almost a goal per game.
Dawson is also out of contract at the end of the season and Brereton believes Carlton should offer him, or someone similar to him, a contract their current club can’t match.
“I’m of the philosophy that a big fish is good when you’re in a market like Sydney and you need bums on seats,” Brereton told SEN’s Crunch Time.
“I tend to think you need to find someone on the rise who the clubs are saying, ‘he’s on a reasonable wage for a guy his age’, but he’s getting better.
“I would go out and would spend on someone like Jordan Dawson from Sydney.
“I think he’s really good, but he hasn’t fully made it yet.
“I’d go and make him a four-year offer and offer him money Sydney can’t match because of the way they’re scheduled.
“I would look for blokes at other teams on the climb who have a lot of football left in them rather than going for the king fish.”
Dawson will be 23 next year and the Blues have been vocal about wanting to add players in the 23-26 age bracket.