The details

What: 2018 NAB AFL Draft
When: Thursday 22 November (7pm onwards) and Friday 23 November (12pm onwards)
Where: Marvel Stadium
Night one: The first round of picks will be unveiled
Day two: All remaining picks in the National Draft will be selected, as well as the rookie draft to follow

Carlton's selections

The Blues will kick the draft off with the No.1 pick, adding to a host of talented youngsters in previous years including Charlie Curnow, Patrick Kerr, Harry McKay, Lochie O’Brien, Sam Petrevski-Seton and Jacob Weitering.

After that, it is scheduled to be a long wait for Carlton, whose next selection sits at pick No.69. Selections at Nos.71 and 77 will follow.

Live trading

There is the chance that the Blues may not have to wait that long, with live trading an option for the very first time. Selections in this year’s or next year’s drafts are able to be traded by any club, depending on future trade restrictions.

If a team has traded any future selections in the second round or onwards, clubs will be unable to trade their future first round pick. Conversely, if a club has traded its future first round pick, it will be unable to trade any other future selections.

What we know

The overwhelming word all season surrounding this year’s draft crop has been about the top-end talent. With conversations surrounding a ‘Super Seven’ and an ‘Elite Eight’, Carlton List Manager Michael Agresta said the upper echelon of talent rivalled the very best from drafts gone by.

“With every draft, the top-end is really exciting but it’s great for the Club to have the first choice this year. I think there’s a clear four or five who would hold their own as a top-two pick in previous drafts.”

The Blues have nominated Ben Silvagni as a potential father-son selection, with the AFL confirming paperwork has been lodged. While it doesn’t yet confirm that the second-generation Silvagni will be a Blue, it means Carlton will have first choice on the versatile tall when a bid comes in.

Looking back

The minds of Bluebaggers will revert back to this time 12 months ago, when Carlton’s burgeoning midfield stocks had a significant boost. The Blues welcomed Dow with pick No.3, before his Geelong Grammar colleague Lochie O’Brien followed at pick No.10.

Carlton then welcomed exciting key forward Tom De Koning with pick No.30, while Angus Schumacher and Jarrod Garlett followed with late selections.

Now, with the draft just hours away, it marks a significant moment for Carlton. Phase two is about to begin.