Over the last three years, Carlton has stuck to its plan of going to the draft and bringing in the best young talent across the country.

Leading into Thursday’s draft, we’ll look back on the Blues’ respective hauls from drafts gone by in preparation for Carlton’s phase two.

Next up is the 2015 draft: a draft which signified a new beginning for Carlton and formed the foundations of phase two.

Jacob Weitering — Pick 1

The standout No.1 selection in his draft year, Weitering made his way to the Blues after earning acclaim from all onlookers in 2015.

Dominating in defence for both the Dandenong Stingrays and then Vic Country, Weitering was named at centre half back of the under 18 All Australian team.

It was the kind of form which saw Carlton snap up Weitering with the first pick in the draft, with his class and composure a feature from a young age.

Still just 20 years of age, Weitering has raced through his first 56 games with time in both the defensive and forward halves.

Harry McKay — Pick 10

A raw, exciting key forward, McKay’s four goals on his TAC Cup debut and his ability to do damage in the air and on the ground generated excitement all season.

He hit the scoreboard regularly for Gippsland with 20 goals in 13 games — it’s a similar tally to McKay’s year in 2018, which saw him kick 21 goals in 13 games at AFL level.

A high-marking forward with an accurate shot for goal, McKay drew comparisons to Richmond’s Tom Lynch at the time: consistently touted as a first-round choice, he made his way to Carlton with its second pick.

And with potentially a first full pre-season in the offing, there could be big development in the game of Carlton’s No.10.

Charlie Curnow — Pick 12

“Curnow is the ‘Could be anything’ player in this year’s draft.”

AFL.com.au's Callum Twomey summed it perfectly three years ago, with the pick No.12 thrilling Bluebaggers on a consistent basis already.

The Geelong Falcons product spent the vast majority of his year as a forward, before injury struck late in the piece. He was being touted for a spot in the midfield before a dislocated kneecap put a halt to that.

He averaged over two goals a game for the Falcons, with his marking prowess and upside evident.

Arriving at the same club as his older brother Ed, Curnow’s highlights package says it all. At 21 years of age, he is the most exciting young forward in the game.

Matthew Kennedy — Pick 13 (via GWS)

A GWS Academy selection, Kennedy made his way to the Giants after they matched Richmond’s big at pick No.13.

The Collingullie product quickly proved himself as a combative midfielder for the future, with his overhead marking adding to his power around stoppages.

His lack of exposed form didn’t stop clubs from viewing him as one of the best young midfield prospects in the country. He now finds himself at Carlton after being traded for pick No.28 at the end of 2017.

While it was an injury-interrupted year, Kennedy showed in his last two months of the year what he’s capable of, averaging over 20 disposals between Rounds 14 and 20.

David Cuningham — Pick 23

The fifth first-round pick on Carlton’s list from the 2015 draft, Cuningham’s burst out of the centre square was unsurprisingly his major asset in his draft year.

As well as representing Vic Metro, Cuningham was a key part of the Oakleigh Chargers’ premiership win, averaging 20 disposals and five clearances over the course of the season.

He ranked among the very best at the draft combine in the 20m sprint and repeat sprints, before he was drafted to the Blues’ with their fourth selection.

It was a memorable moment for Cuningham, who arrived at the Club where his childhood idol - Chris Judd - had performed with aplomb for so many years.

Jack Silvagni — Pick 53

It was one of the feel-good moments of the draft when the Silvagni name continued at Carlton in 2015.

Selected with pick 53 as a father-son selection, Jack followed Sergio and Stephen to don the navy blue.

With his football smarts on display playing for Xavier College, the Oakleigh Chargers and Vic Metro, Silvagni kicked six goals against WA in the Under-18 Championships.

A shoulder injury ended his year early, but he still made his way to Carlton with a third-round pick after the Blues matched Essendon’s bid.

Draft hauls revisited

2013: Patrick Cripps, Darcy Lang
2014: Jarrod Pickett, Caleb Marchbank, Jarrod Garlett, Mitch McGovern
2015: Jacob Weitering, Harry McKay, Charlie Curnow, Matthew Kennedy, David Cuningham, Jack Silvagni