Carlton’s 2020 season has come to an end, with the club expected to be quite active in the trade period.
Jordan Lewis sees the club’s two main holes to fill as half-back and on the inside of the midfield.
“For Carlton, their needs are a quality half-back flanker after Kade Simpson retired. They need to fill the void there,” the four-time premiership Hawk told SEN Breakfast.
“I still think they’re one inside mid short to support Patrick Cripps and get involved in their outside play. I think Zac Fisher can be inside-outside, but he’s more suited as an outside mid to provide that run.”
Lewis believes Carlton will attempt to lure out of contract Essendon defender Adam Saad to fill the Kade Simpson shaped hole at half-back.
“Looking at half-back, we know Zac Williams is on the market, that’s been pretty clear, but there are conversations around Adam Saad, so there’s two quality half-backs on the market, so it’s what you have to give up in return for these quality players,” he said.
“I’ve focused in on Saad and you can mount a case for Williams as well … I would be going more bullishly for Adam Saad over Williams.
“I’m just hearing murmurings that Carlton are into him (Saad). That’s why I threw that one out on the table.
“I think he’s gettable and I’m hearing Carlton could be involved in that conversation if he was to leave Essendon.”
On the Essendon front, Tim Watson believes there’s still a chance Saad will remain at the club.
“I know that Essendon hasn’t given up on Adam Saad, so they still believe he’ll be a Bombers player.”
In terms of inside midfielders, Lewis believes the Blues should target Adelaide’s Brad Crouch.
“There’s a few inside midfielders you could potentially look at. Brad Crouch is a restricted free agent, so there’s a chance to get him and lock him away,” he said.
“There’s another one from GWS in Harry Perryman. He’s an SA boy so maybe he wants to go back home, but we hear he ants to search for another team and he’s out of contract.
“He’s one if I was Carlton or even Essendon to try and entertain that deal as well.”