Garry Lyon says Carlton should consider the bold move of putting injury-prone forward Charlie Curnow on the trade table.
The 23-year-old won’t play at all this season due to multiple knee setbacks but in 11 matches last year, he managed to kick 18 goals.
The Blues have no shortage of forward targets, with coach David Teague still trying to find out his side’s best mix inside 50.
Lyon said Carlton should look to get aggressive and at least considering trading Curnow if it meant they were able to improve their side in other areas.
“So go and get uber aggressive and throw Charlie Curnow out (to be traded),” he said on AFL Nation.
“Just throw it out and say ‘we want Charlie and we want him to stay but give us your best’ and if something ridiculous like Tom Papley and something else comes your way, that’s what clubs have got to get to.
“I’d keep Charlie because I’m not brave enough to put him on the trade table because I’d be petrifie that he might come back to bite you on the backside but it might be the play.
“That would be a new Carlton … but I’m not that brave.”
Lyon remains generally bullish on Carlton’s chances heading into next season, saying their improvement should come both in the growth of current players and Teague finding a settled forward line.
“Most parts (of their) side are OK I think,” he said.
“The back half, I think it’s pretty solid. I think Kade Simpson probably (doesn’t go on) but Nic Newman comes back so that all sits OK.
“The midfield probably needs a little shot but most midfielders probably do but with their forwards, they’ve got to work out who they’re going with. Then there may be some bargaining chips for them (during the trade period).
“Then it becomes about style, Patrick Cripps is pivotal to it all and does Sam Walsh continues to develop and do both Sam Petrevski-Seton and Paddy Dow get there.”