CARLTON Football Club has secured the services of Matthew Kennedy, Darcy Lang and Matthew Lobbe after deals were struck with GWS, Geelong and Port Adelaide today.

In a frenetic finish to the final day of the NAB AFL Trade Period, the Blues on-traded pick 16 which was previously held by Adelaide, and pick 40 to the Western Bulldogs in exchange for pick 28, 30 and their future second-round selection.

Carlton then traded pick 28 to Greater Western Sydney to land young midfielder Kennedy, while swapping pick 58 and its future fourth-round selection to Geelong in exchange for versatile utility Lang and its future fourth-round pick. 

Earlier, the Blues traded their sixth-round selection (pick 95) to Port Adelaide in exchange for Lobbe. 

Kennedy was drafted by GWS with its first-round selection at pick 13 in the 2015 AFL National Draft and played 19 games with the Giants.  

The prolific ball winner made his debut in Round 13, 2016 against Essendon, with the 20-year-old averaging just over 17 disposals and five tackles per game this year. 

 

Hailing from Colac in Victoria, Lang was selected by Geelong with its first-round selection in the 2013 AFL National Draft.

The 21-year-old midfielder made his debut in Round 13, 2014 and has since played a further 43 AFL games. 

 

Lobbe arrives at Ikon Park after 92 games with Port Adelaide. The 28-year-old ruckman was taken with pick 16 at the 2007 AFL National Draft from the Eastern Ranges.

 

GM List Management and Strategy Stephen Silvagni said the Club had secured a promising mix of young midfield depth, while strengthening its position for both the 2017 and 2018 National Drafts. 

“We’re very pleased to welcome Matthew, Darcy and Matthew to Ikon Park,” Silvagni said. 

“As an exciting young midfielder, Matthew Kennedy boasts attributes in his game that will further boost our midfield and we are confident he will be a key, long-term player for the Blues.

“Similarly, Darcy’s ability to run through the middle and then push up forward makes him an exciting prospect for our club. Both players fit the key age bracket we identified as we continue to build our young depth across the board.  

“We are also very pleased to add a mature, experienced body in Matthew Lobbe who will provide further depth for our ruck stocks, joining Matthew Kreuzer and Andrew Phillips.

“Overall, we have brought exciting talent in which strengthens our midfield, while also furthering our position heading into the 2017 National Draft which is important as a young side continuing to build its depth.” 

Earlier, the Club farewelled 28-year-old Bryce Gibbs who was traded to Adelaide after 11 seasons at the Blues. 

Carlton will now go to the 2017 AFL National Draft with picks 3, 10, 30 and 73 and holds a first, two second and one fourth-round selection next year.