AFL Draft: Carlton will be “active” as rivals swoop on early picks

Carlton is reportedly trading out its top two picks, with Essendon and North Melbourne set to be the recipients.

Whilst trading of picks has been put on hold until draft night (Wednesday), clubs are still in negotiation to enhance their strategy.

The Blues are preparing to match a bid on father-son prospect Harry Dean, which could be one of West Coast's first selections.

Carlton Recruiting Manager Mick Agresta implied the accuracy of the report while speaking on AFL Media's Gettable on Wednesday morning.

"We'll be pretty active tonight. We're probably in a different situation where the points are more valuable than the picks at the moment but we've also got flexibility in what we do," Agresta said.

"We'll hopefully have another live pick and [try find] where we can be position ourselves to best suited for that as well.

"Yeah discussions are [advanced]. With multiple clubs as well. We'll be pretty active in the first part of the night tonight."

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Carlton will trade picks 11 and 54 to North for picks 25, 46 and a 2026 second-rounder.

The Blues’ deal with Essendon will see the Bombers trade picks 21, 27 and 30 for 9 and likely 43. https://t.co/Fiteinitws

— Callum Twomey (@CalTwomey) November 18, 2025

According to AFL Media's Cal Twomey, the Bombers are set to collect Pick 9 whilst sending to Ikon Park a late first and two early second-rounds selection, which is currently Pick 21, 27 and 30.

If the deal goes through on the night, it could arm the Tullamarine club with three selections inside the top 10.

Essendon holds six available list spots, and could use most of them on top-end talent via the draft, which could help regenerate the list.

As for North Melbourne, they currently don't hold a first-round selection after selling their 2025 top pick to Richmond 12 months ago, helping secure Matt Whitlock.

"Key parts" of the swap with Carlton will include Pick 25, 46 and a future second-round selection for Pick 11 and 54.