Over the next two weeks, as the 2015 AFL Trade Period gets underway, we’ll count down Carlton’s top-10 trades over the past 30 years.
Which stars reinvigorated their careers donning the Navy Blue? And who made Carlton their second home?
Coming in at No.9: Corey McKernan
The Trade: Carlton traded draft selections 14 and 30, plus ruckman Mark Porter for Corey McKernan in 2001.
North selected Ashley Watson with pick 14 and Rod Crowe with pick 30. Watson played seven games between 2003 and 2005, while Crowe didn’t play a senior game for the Roos in his two years at the club.
When dual North Melbourne premiership player Corey McKernan arrived at the Blues in 2002, many supporters raised their eyebrows at the high price Carlton had paid.
So it was no wonder in his first season at the Blues, McKernan bore the brunt of expectation from the Carlton faithful who weren’t convinced the trade had been successful. McKernan had to prove himself.
And he did.
In 2002, during his first year at the club, the versatile ruck-forward played some of his best footy since North’s premiership year in 1996.
Corey McKernan in action for North Melbourne during the 1999 grand final. (Photo: AFL Photos)
At the end of the season McKernan led the Blues' goal-kicking booting 40 goals from 22 games, as well as recording the most hit-outs of any player at the club.
His consistent season saw him take home the John Nicholls Medal, having been crowned Carlton’s best and fairest in his first year as a Navy Blue.
When Denis Pagan was appointed Carlton’s coach in 2003, McKernan wasn’t excited by being reunited with his former coach.
Although he didn’t produce a season quite like the one prior, McKernan still managed to poll the most votes of any Carlton player in the Brownlow Medal to take home the Peter Sullivan Memorial Trophy.
Corey McKernan is unveiled as a Carlton player. (Photo: AFL Photos)
The ruckman ended his time at the Blues having played 41 games between 2002 and 2003, in a tumultuous time in Carlton’s history.
Since retiring in 2005 McKernan still reflects fondly on his time at Princes Park.
"I will always look back (at it) as one of the best experiences of my life.
“Getting to play for a big club like Carlton and I met great people there. I have many great friends at Carlton, including many of the players. I wish them nothing but the best in the future," McKernan said.
Top Trades: #10 - Andrejs Everitt
Who will make up the rest of the top 10? Stay tuned to carltonfc.com.au over the course of the AFL Trade Period to find out!
