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
4. Todd Goldstein (North Melbourne)
The Blues haven't been directly linked to Goldstein this season, but the veteran ruckman looks destined to seek a move to a premiership contender next season as an unrestricted free agent.
Goldstein, who will turn 35 next year, continues to display great form in the ruck for North, as he has for multiple years and could be a cheap cover option for Michael Voss.
Goldstein has shared ruck duties with younger counterpart Tristan Xerri in 2022, averaging 12.4 disposals and 24.2 hit outs per game for the struggling Kangaroos.
The Blues have had number one ruckman Marc Pittonet go down with a knee injury, meaning young ruckman Tom De Koning has had to shoulder more of the load in the ruck this season.
Pittonet and De Koning are obviously the ruck combination the club will want for years to come, but signing Goldstein to a short-term deal could prove useful for Carlton should one go down.
Whether Goldstein is up for a move where he will largely play VFL is up for debate, but he could not only be part of a team that goes deep into finals next year but could mentor De Koning and Pittonet in order to improve their own ruck abilities, with Goldstein being one of the best ruckmen of the 2010s.
He wouldn't demand a large salary, wouldn't demand a long-term contract, but could give the Blues some much-needed experience and cover in 2023.
