Greater Western Sydney want a first round draft pick for contracted defender Lachie Whitfield as Carlton and Melbourne circle the 32-year-old running defender.
The former No.1 pick, who is yet to decide whether he wants to pursue a trade, has become a target for clubs after the Giants opened the door on the dual best and fairest winnerโs potential departure.
Carlton, who will secure Sydney forward Joel Amartey as a free agent, will need to carefully protect their picks in the national draft to ensure they have enough points to match a bid for father-son selection Cody Walker.
They have picks 11, 16, 23 and 24, and would consider parting with one of their picks in the 20s to secure the dual All-Australian, who finished sixth in the Giantsโ best and fairest this season.
The Giants are aware that Melbourne are not willing to part with either pick six or 10, which they hold in this yearโs draft, for Whitfield. However, they could consider sliding back from their pick six to the Giantsโ pick seven and part with a future first if Whitfield decided he was keen to join the Demons.
The Giants are keen to improve their position in this yearโs draft and see Whitfield as the potential player to yield a return.
Whitfield, who becomes a free agent when he comes out of contract next season, would be unlikely to command as much free agency compensation at the end of 2027 as he would in a trade this year because Tasmaniaโs entry into the competition will push first round selections at the 2027 draft back into the โ30s.
The Giants are looking to improve their draft hand in 2026 as they also want to secure talented academy graduate Ethan Matthews, who has shot up the draft rankings this season, as well as get more talent in the door before the compromised draft in 2027.
A former No.1 pick, Whitfield would be an asset for either the Blues or Demons, who are both looking for running power off half-back, while St Kilda are also in the market for such a player.
Carlton is also in the ruck market as they look to add depth following the likely departures two ruckmen โ mid-season rookie Flynn Riley and pre-season supplementary selection Hudson OโKeeffe.
Riley wants to get to Collingwood and OโKeeffe is interested in joining the Bulldogs, but the Blues will demand a fair return for Riley after he knocked back a two-year offer to join the Magpies on a three-year deal.
The Blues will consider making a play for Hawthornโs Ned Reeves, who is contracted until 2029, if he is eager to explore his options after missing out on playing in the clubโs finals campaign. However, he is one of a number of potential ruck options Carlton are monitoring.
The Giants are also in the ruck market, with Sydneyโs Peter Ladhams of interest despite the Swans being keen to retain him. Adelaideโs Reilly OโBrien, who was starved of opportunities in 2026 because it was viewed that the new ruck rules did not suit him, is also potentially available. Other ruckmen who found themselves down the pecking order this season include Fremantleโs Sean Darcy and the Lionsโ Henry Smith.
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Michael Gleeson is an award-winning senior sports writer specialising in AFL and athletics.Connect via X or email.
Sam McClure is an award-winning AFL journalist and broadcaster.Connect via X or email.From our partners
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