If its simply an offer to 'come home' then you are right - the cost will be high & I don't believe WC would pay the price.
However, if Carlton start offering contracted players as a means of securing a certain draft pick, and those players don't want to shift or feel snubbed that their name was offered, then the rules change considerably. When Ken Judge took over as WC coach, he sought draft picks at the end of the 2000 season. An under contract Mitchell White was offered as bait and despite WC trying to reverse the offer to trade him when he arced up, he took it badly & told Judge and WC that he wouldn't play under Judge under any circumstances. It left WC with no option but to trade him. they did well out of it, but I will never forget White's face & anger when I spoke with him about it.
That explains a few things, always thought that trade was a bit odd.







