It is hard to imagine any Carlton supporter 12 months ago thinking their side would be in the position they are in now, but the Blues are sitting pretty in fifth after 13 games.
Michael Voss' side's most recent loss against the Tigers caused them to slip out of the top four on percentage but they continue to loom as a premiership threat should they recapture their great form.
The vastly improved Blues have been reaping the rewards from the off-season acquisitions of George Hewett, Adam Cerra and Lewis Young, who have made an instant impact on the side.
They could once again be busy this off-season, with plenty of useful names still on the market and the potential for further improvement in this Carlton side will make rival fans slightly nervous.
In the next instalment of our series, we've compiled a list in, no particular order, of five names the Carlton Blues could target at the end of the season.
TRADE TARGETS: ADELAIDE, BRISBANE
2. Angus Brayshaw (Melbourne)
Another Victorian who is out of contract at the end of 2022, Angus Brayshaw would be a tricky player to tempt out of the reigning premiers but the guarantee of wing and midfield time could at least force him to listen should the Blues come calling.
In 2022, Brayshaw had started the season in a more defensive role in the absence of Christian Salem, with the 26-year-old playing on the wing in their premiership year last season.
With Salem back, Brayshaw has still been used as an interceptor off half-back on occasion and has shown his sublime ability in both positions.
This season, Brayshaw has 25 disposals, 8.6 marks and 398.7 metres gained and sits in second for total marks in the league with 112, just four behind league leader James Sicily on 116. For someone who isn't a key position player, that number is super impressive.
Brayshaw is fresh off a fantastic performance in the Dees' shock Queen's Birthday loss against the Magpies, which featured a 13-disposal, 8-mark, and 8-intercept third quarter when his side was under enormous pressure.
He is a restricted free agent this year, which means the Demons can match any offer that comes Brayshaw's way, but Carlton should be keeping tabs on the former No. 3 pick.
His arrival would dramatically improve their wing position and Brayshaw's versatility would be extremely beneficial for Michael Voss'.
It'd be tricky, but stranger things have happened.
