“YOU NEVER say never, but I think so.”

That was the response of Carlton’s Head of List Management Nick Austin when asked whether Blake Acres would be the team’s sole acquisition of the 2022 Continental Tyres Trade Period.

Acres officially made his way to his new club yesterday, continuing a recent trend of the Blues getting their business done early in the player exchange period.

With the Blues gaining the experienced wingman for the price of a future third-round selection, Austin was asked whether the list management team would be looking at any others from opposition clubs.

Wheeling out the line that is used consistently at this time of year, “never say never” was followed by a frank outlook of the off-season strategy which he flagged on Monday.

“We’ve been clear that we’re going to prioritise the draft,” Austin said.

“Blake was a priority for us from an acquisition point of view, but we’re going to turn our attention to the draft now and we’re really excited for that.

“We’ve had three national draft picks in the last two years, so it would be great to go back to the draft and bring in some young talent.”

Carlton currently holds picks Nos.10, 29, 49, 66 and 68 after day three of 2022 Continental Tyres Trade Period, after receiving a third-round compensation pick following the departure of Liam Jones.

While the player acquisition side of things looks likely to be done from a trade perspective, Austin is keeping options open when it comes to the prospect of pick swaps up the order.

“We’d like to improve our hand as much as we can,” he said.

“With the futures market as well, the option is there to bring in some picks if we want to strengthen our hand this year.

“We’ve been open with all the clubs we’ve caught up with that our picks are on the table and we’re keen to improve our hand as much as we feel is necessary.

“From a number of picks point of view, it could be three, four or five: we don’t know, we’re still working through our list and who comes in and who goes out.”

Clubs can exchange picks not only throughout the trade period, but also in the lead-up and on the nights of the 2022 NAB AFL Draft.