THE CARLTON Football Club is delighted to welcome Will Hayward into the Navy Blue, as well as acquiring a further three first-round selections, in what is the biggest trade acquisition ever completed for a departing player. 

It is the first time in AFL history a player and three first-round selections (pick Nos.11, 2026 future first and 2027 future first) have been used in a trade, with the Blues completing the deal on the final day of the 2025 Continental Tyres AFL Trade Period.  

As part of the Hayward deal, Charlie Curnow departs Carlton after playing 149 games across a total of 10 seasons, producing the highest output of his career over the last four years and winning two Coleman Medals. Pick Nos.31, 42 and a 2027 future second, were also included in the trade.  

Dynamic forward Hayward, who has finished second in the Swans goalkicking for the last two seasons, arrives at IKON Park in a deal that now sees Carlton as the only club in the competition with six first round picks across the next three years. 

As well as acquiring a total of five recruits during this trade period in Hayward, Oliver Florent, Ben Ainsworth, Campbell Chesser and Liam Reidy, the Blues now hold two first-round picks in each of the 2025, 2026 and 2027 drafts. 

Hayward arrives at IKON Park on the same day as his close mate Oliver Florent, who joined the Club earlier this afternoon for a future third round selection. 

The duo land in the Navy Blue with a wealth of experience, having both played 184 games, including nine finals each and two AFL Grand Finals.    

Hayward has been an incredibly reliable goalkicker, booting 25 goals or more in his last five seasons, including a career-high 41 majors in 2024, and has finished in the top four of the Swans’ goalkicking in each of the last six seasons – a testament to his consistency over a long period of time. 

Admired for his athleticism, Hayward impacts in the air and on the ground, with the impressive ability to finish his work as well as set up teammates in the forward half.   

Playing in every game the past two seasons, the 26-year-old shared his AFL debut with teammate-again Nic Newman in Round 2, 2017 against the Bulldogs.    

Carlton Head of List Management Nick Austin said the net result of the Club’s entire trade period will see five recruits join the Club who will provide an immediate impact to the side, while also seeing the Blues now hold six first-round picks across the 2025, 2026 and 2027 drafts. 

“Every player we have brought into the football club add to our side immediately – particularly with a number of those players possessing strengths of pace and line-breaking ability,” Austin said. 

“We are going to be a different looking football side next year and we look forward to seeing that evolution take place throughout the pre-season. 

“We were presented with an opportunity to refresh our list this off-season and we’ve taken it. Rather than go in with the same look next year and hope for a different result, the list changes we’ve made and the skillset of the players we have brought into the Club has allowed us to change up our mix in a significant way. 

“We also want to acknowledge Charlie’s 10 years of service to our football club, he provided our club with some great moments in the Navy Blue and while we are disappointed to see him go, the return we have received in a first in our game’s history and we are certainly satisfied with what we have gained. 

“Another important area of our list management strategy we were able to execute this trade period, was giving our club a four-year window to acquire elite young talent at the top end of the draft.  

“After selecting Jagga Smith last year, having access to Harry Dean this year, acquiring points towards Cody Walker next year, as well as an additional number of first-round selections, we are in an incredibly strong position to solidify the future of our football club. 

“Above all though, we want players who want to and appreciate what it means to represent the Carlton Football Club. Every player we have brought into the football club this off-season has spoken about being excited to pull on the Navy Blue jumper and we know our current playing group have an incredible drive and desire to bring pride to our monogram and to every Carlton person. 

“Our club-first mindset has been incredibly strong during this period and that will remain into the start of pre-season and right throughout 2026. 

“It is now time to let our actions do the talking, with a fresh look in our squad, fresh energy and a commitment to do everything we can to make our Carlton people proud to wear the monogram.”