ALL bases covered.

GM of Football Chris Davies has provided a preview of what Carlton fans can expect from what’s shaping to be a busy period.

Speaking a day before the launch of the 2026 Continental Tyres AFL Trade Period, Davies said the Blues would keep their options open as they looked to improve their list in whichever way possible over the coming weeks.

Here’s what Davies had to say on a number of key topics: for the full interview, watch via the player below.

A top-line overview on what to expect this trade period:

"You move the players out at the end of the season that you do, you start to think about what the next period of time needs to be. For us, that’s to get better in the upcoming trade period.

"We’re trying to make sure our list is better at the end of it, while also preparing ourselves well from a draft standpoint. Two things that are really clear: bring in any additional player that we think will help, while also helping our draft hand for the upcoming draft and future drafts."

Joel Amartey’s arrival at the football club:

"We said we wanted to bring in some additional key-forward depth, we were open to the way we did that. The opportunity to bring Joel in was at the top of our mind, and we were really pleased to be able to do that at the start of free agency.

"We wanted another target up forward, someone who can complement Harry and can help Brodie Kemp and the other forwards to bring out their strengths. Joel is a great player in his own right, but we also think he’s got the capability to make the rest of the forward group better as well.

"When it became clear his future was going to be with us, he turned straight into thinking what life was going to be like as a Blue."

Is Carlton interested in Lachie Whitfield?:

"We’ve got some interest in Lachie. In many respects, that’s going to require GWS to let him go - I’m not sure whether that’s going to be the case. In line with what I said a few weeks back, we identified we want some extra run through our team: Lachie would certainly bring that, but there’s a fair bit of water to go under the bridge with that one yet."

Trade requests from Hudson O’Keeffe (Western Bulldogs) and Flynn Riley (Collingwood):

"I know the people at the Bulldogs given my previous experience with them at Port Adelaide, they’ve got some bigger fish to fry right now with the Zak Butters stuff. I’m sure we’ll get a better sense of where they think Hudson is for them after that drops.

"We’ve had some initial discussions with Collingwood in regards to Flynn. Both Flynn and Hudson were players we wanted to keep: on the basis they they want to go, we’ll look at what options are there for both of those players, but it’s important to highlight that we offered both those guys contracts for the future.

"They’ve made that decision. Most importantly, we want players that want to be at Carlton."

Potential ruck replacements:

"There are multiple ways for us to bring ruckmen into the Club, whether that’s trade period, the draft process or a delisted free agent status. We’ll take our time to consider what we think we need into the future.

"Marc Pittonet had a fantastic year, Liam Reidy was able back-up. If both Flynn and Hudson go, we’re going to have to think about what we want: there are multiple ways we can sort that out, we’re open-minded to what that looks like."

Could Wil Parker become a Blue?

"We certainly have some interest in Wil. I had some dealings with him a few years ago when he was thinking about going from cricket to football, Josh Fraser obviously has some background with him. It’ll be interesting to see how that transpires in the next period of time."

Adam Saad’s future:

"Adam won’t be at our Club next year. That decision has been made and he’s thinking about the ramifications for him right now: what he did do for us this year was play some fantastic footy in the VFL  and was a great support at the level.

"He’s thinking about what he wants to do in the future, and if that is to continue to play on, then we’ll obviously try and support him to find a new home given the work he’s done for the Club over a period of time."

Planning for the future:

"No matter what, you’ve got to go through this period thinking about what’s best for the Club next year, and that needs to be balanced with what the best for the Club in the future needs to be. We’ve had a clear focus throughout this year understanding that the Club has got some real work to do: we don’t want to jump in thinking that everything can be fixed straight away.

"There are things we can do from our list perspective to make us better for 2027, but we also need to be thinking about when we’re going to be at the level to really win in this competition. That’s a balance you’ve got to strike.

"We’re fortunate to have a number of experienced people here who are making those decisions, a coach who comes in with fresh eyes and an opportunity to get the best out of the group of players we’ll have next year. We’re mindful that we still think we need a sufficient amount of work to really take the next step."

The latest on Cody Walker:

"Nothing has really changed from my perspective, we’ll consider what we need to have from a points perspective: there’s still so long before the draft that a number of different things can happen through this period. We’re going to have to be flexible and adaptable as much as we possibly can to match a bid for Cody.

"We’ve planned as well as we possibly could’ve, there are still things we need to be mindful of.

Any potential surprises?

"I’m sure there’ll be pick swaps to help us think about what we need in the future, those things can happen pretty quickly. We’re really open to the way we get better in the future, I’m sure there’ll be things that happen which surprise people - whether that’s at our club or other clubs."