Carlton has set itself up for a quick rebuild – or a massive play at a superstar like Zak Butters – sitting with six first-round picks over the next three years.
The Blues’ enormous haul for Charlie Curnow will see them cheering against Sydney for the next few seasons, landing their 2025, 2026 and 2027 first-round picks.
Coach Michael Voss will be hoping to earn another contract so he can enjoy the fruits of the deal, which could also allow them to match a bid for 2026 No.1 pick contender Cody Walker, the son of ex-Blue Andrew, next year.
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Curnow opens up on nerve racking trade | 10:47
But should the Bluebaggers find another path to landing Walker, they could use their hefty suite of first-round picks to trade for Butters who is a restricted free agent at the end of the 2026 season.
The Western Bulldogs and Geelong are viewed as the leading suitors for the Port Adelaide midfielder due to their locations but those clubs only own their own picks going forward.
Other than Carlton, the only team with multiple future first-round picks in an upcoming draft is Melbourne.
The Demons landed the Suns’ 2026 first-round pick in the Christian Petracca deal, which is unlikely to be a particularly juicy pick but gives coach Steven King plenty to think about.
Of course Gold Coast will also hope Melbourne struggles, having acquired the Demons’ 2026 second-round pick, which fall early in the 20s.
Port Adelaide is cheering against Carlton having acquired the Blues’ 2026 second-round pick in the Corey Durdin deal, while Sydney then has the Blues’ 2027 second-round pick.
Notably 2027 draft picks were not viewed as especially desirable during the trade period, which is due to the looming inclusion of the AFL’s 19th club, the Tasmania Devils.
The Devils will be given Pick 1 in the 2027 Draft and seven of the top 13 selections, though they’ll need to trade four of those, and if they don’t the picks will be rolled over into the next year.
It will mean 2027 Draft picks fall much lower than they naturally should.
For example the 2027 wooden spooner will be given Pick 2, while whoever finishes 12th that season will only be awarded Pick 14, and the premier will get Pick 25.
“Staggered!” Dogs fail to sign defender | 01:28
FUTURE PICKS OWNED BY EVERY CLUB
All picks are the club’s natural picks unless otherwise listed
ADELAIDE CROWS
2026: Round 1, Round 2, Round 3
2027: Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, Round 4
BRISBANE LIONS
2026: Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, Round 3 (Melbourne), Round 4
2027: Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, Round 4
CARLTON
2026: Round 1, Round 1 (Sydney), Round 4
2027: Round 1, Round 1 (Sydney), Round 3, Round 4
COLLINGWOOD
2026: Round 1, Round 2, Round 4, Round 4 (Sydney)
2027: Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, Round 4
ESSENDON
2026: Round 1, Round 2, Round 4
2027: Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, Round 4
FREMANTLE
2026: Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, Round 4
2027: Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, Round 4
GEELONG
2026: Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, Round 4
2027: Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, Round 4
GOLD COAST SUNS
2026: Round 2, Round 2 (Melbourne), Round 3, Round 3 (Essendon), Round 4
2027: Round 1, Round 2, Round 4
GWS GIANTS
2026: Round 1, Round 2, Round 4
2027: Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, Round 4
HAWTHORN
2026: Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, Round 3 (Sydney), Round 4 (Melbourne)
2027: Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, Round 4
MELBOURNE
2026: Round 1, Round 1 (Gold Coast), Round 3 (GWS)
2027: Round 1, Round 2, Round 3 (Gold Coast)
NORTH MELBOURNE
2026: Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, Round 4, Round 4 (Adelaide)
2027: Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, Round 4
PORT ADELAIDE
2026: Round 1, Round 2, Round 2 (Carlton), Round 3, Round 4
2027: Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, Round 4
RICHMOND
2026: Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, Round 4
2027: Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, Round 4
ST KILDA
2026: Round 1, Round 3, Round 4
2027: Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, Round 3 (West Coast), Round 3 (Melbourne), Round 4, Round 4 (Melbourne)
SYDNEY SWANS
2026: Round 2, Round 3 (Carlton), Round 3 (Collingwood), Round 4 (Hawthorn)
2027: Round 2, Round 2 (Carlton), Round 3, Round 4
WEST COAST EAGLES
2026: Round 1, Round 2, Round 2 (St Kilda), Round 3, Round 4
2027: Round 1, Round 2, Round 4
WESTERN BULLDOGS
2026: Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, Round 4
2027: Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, Round 4
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