5 notes from 4 press conferences
will want to bring in another ruck
Landing Lachie Whitfield was Carlton's priority, football boss Chris Davies said, but the club "will want to bring in another ruck" after losing a couple of young rucks, through free agency or the draft. He chose big list changes over "a bit of hoping": "take the punt."
It's the biggest club in the land... I thought it was a no-brainer in the end.
"It's the biggest club in the land... I thought it was a no-brainer in the end." Lachie Whitfield on leaving the Giants for Carlton: the crowds, the MCG, last year's finals run and Josh Fraser's fast, free-flowing game plan. He spoke to Patrick Cripps and Sam Walsh first.
If he did want to go, we'd be in the market, absolutely.
"If he did want to go, we'd be in the market, absolutely." Carlton's Chris Davies on Lachie Whitfield, who'd add "more run" from halfback. Neither Whitfield nor GWS is 100% sure; it needs sorting in 10 days. On a first-round pick: "we haven't got to that point yet."
Ruckmen Flynn Riley and Hudson O'Keeffe have sought trades from Carlton despite extension offers. Chris Davies said Collingwood offered Riley "a significant deal in terms of term". If both go, "I'm not concerned, no", citing Marc Pittonet's year and Liam Reidy as backup.
we felt that Harry was probably a bit one out at different points this year.
Carlton signed free agent Joel as a second key forward because Harry was too often alone. Chris Davies: "we felt that Harry was probably a bit one out at different points this year." Talk of Joel's contract numbers frustrated Davies, who knew the real figures.