I'm of the opposite opinion actually, I think we need one more year of major list changes. From there, tinkering can take place. This is my ideal trade period.
Carlton finishes, for arguments sake - 17th. We end up with picks #2, #21, #40, #58 (taking into account of a few FA compo picks)
The m-o, two top 10 first rounders (per the Schmurf rumour) and as many high picks as possible besides that.
Gold Coast have two First Rounders - their own and Melbournes(??)
GWS have three First Rounders - their own and Collingwood & Geelongs.
Lets say for arguments sake that;
GC have picks - #8 (melb) and pick #11(their own)
GWS have picks - #7 (Coll) and pick #12 (their own) and #14 (Geel)
That's where we need to be targetting for high draft picks. Both expansion clubs have highly rated Academy kids and will be looking to secure very high picks and a multitude of second rounders in pursuit of that.
TRADE 1
Carlton 2017 Future First Rounder - GWS Picks #7 and #14
Carlton trades their future first round pick from 2017 to GWS for their highest and lowest first rounder. GWS realise that these picks will likely be eaten up by Academy players when they get the inevitable early bid, rather than lose value on these picks they mortgage them off for Carlton's 2017 first pick banking on Carlton finishing low again and getting another gun kid to spread the age profile. Carlton secures two first round picks in an effort to tighten their age profile and hope to get value for money banking on an improved 2017 season.
Issues with this trade, GWS may not bite on this deal as it is, there is always the possibility that Carlton pushes high enough up the ladder to mean that GWS trade two picks for a pick lower than the highest they gave up. Possible ways to sweeten this trade, include Carlton's #21 which GWS will want for points on Academy players. This will definitely look tantalizing for GWS and they'll have to pull the trigger. Carlton could even as for Tomlinson here as well.
Carlton now has;
Best Case Scenario- #2, #7, #14, #21, #40 and #58
Worst Case Scenario - #2, #7, #14, #40 and #58
Now that nets us two top 10 picks, and #14 and depending on how hard GWS play we may have pick #21 still in play as well.
If we give up pick #21 I think we have to call it there on the draft pick aquisition, the player trade market could be teased out, with #14 being a very valuable carrot to dangle out there.
However should we keep #21 I believe it's time to go for the jugular witb Gold Coast
TRADE 2
Carlton Casboult/Everitt/X Player - Whoever's 2nd Round Picks
This is the hardest trade to visualise and pull off, Casboult to a Fremantle/Brisbane/Melbourne could be a way to make this happen, GC might want Everitt as a piece to their puzzle, or perhaps a player like Whiley, Lamb, or anyone really who plays a few good games this year and we can get some value on them. Pick #40 can be thrown in here to sweeten the deal, if we're targetting a pick like #27 it shouldnt be too hard to get with a player alone or a player and #40.
The aim of the game is to get another second rounder, thats all we need, if we do that, we'll be golden.
TRADE 3
Carlton #21 and 2nd Round Pick (Result of Trade 2) - Gold Coast for #8
Gold Coast's #8 will be eaten up here by an academy bid making it almost worthless, instead they'll be looking to trade down, last year we saw the ease with which clubs traded two second round picks for high first rounders, this deal is simple and a win for both parties.
Carlton finishes up with picks #2, #7, #8, #14, #40, #58
By adding four first round draft picks to the list we turn over the list, tighten the age profile and look to improve in 2017. The majority of our team, close to 35 players will sit in the 18-24 year old bracket ranging from fresh faced draftees through last years crop, to Boekhurst and Cripps and up to Docherty. Combined with an experienced brigade of Touhy, Gibbs, Murphy, Kreuzer, E. Curnow etc we will have a list that can jump up the ladder quickly into finals contention.
Dont be afraid of missing out on a first round pick in 2017 and putting all our eggs into one basket as we can always trade a 2018 second rounder and 2017 second rounder for a 2017 first rounder from an Academy/FS club. However after this offseason we begin to turn the list over less, bringing in 3 kids each year, with hopefully one very solid kid. Look to hit Free Agency from there and we have the makings of a premiership side.