Over the last three years, Carlton has stuck to its plan of going to the draft and bringing in the best young talent across the country.

Leading into Thursday’s draft, we’ll look back on the Blues’ respective hauls from drafts gone by in preparation for Carlton’s phase two.

Next up is 2016: a draft which is most-represented at Carlton with eight players remaining.

Will Setterfield — Pick 5 (via GWS)

It was with Carlton’s bid in the 2016 draft that sent Academy prospect Will Setterfield to Greater Western Sydney two years ago.

Touted as a possible No.1 pick selection if he was in the open draft, the big-bodied midfielder was described as a complete midfielder.

In his top-age year, he won contested ball, operated at a high efficiency and hit he scoreboard. It all came together in the TAC Cup Elimination Final, where he recorded 19 disposals, 16 tackles and 10 clearances.

After bidding two years ago, Carlton welcomed Setterfield in this year’s trade period. As he returns from an ACL injury sustained on the eve of the season, the 20-year-old will be itching to show the football world what he’s capable of.

Sam Petrevski-Seton — Pick 6

Carlton was very quick to welcome the smooth-moving Petrevski-Seton after bidding on Setterfield, and the ‘Halls Creek Cowboy’ was quick to show why.

Considered one of the draft’s very best prospects over two years, Petrevski-Seton was an All Australian in 2015. After injury halted his 2016, he showed recruiters what he was capable of as one of the best players on the ground in the Under-18 All Stars game.

His class on the field was matched by his leadership off it, and - similarly to Setterfield - was praised for his work with and without the ball.

Racing to 40 games, ’Samo’ has missed only two matches since arriving at the Blues, and recorded three Brownlow votes against Collingwood in just his seventh outing.

Zac Fisher — Pick 27

An All Australian in his draft year, the knock on Fisher was his size and ability to stack up against the AFL’s bigger bodies. He’s been quick to knock those doubts on the head.

The zippy left-footer from WA was known for his dare and dash, Fisher averaged over 20 disposals during the Under-18 Championships, as well as ranking seventh for clearances.

An accumulator who can weave through congestion, Fisher joined Petrevski-Seton from WA to Carlton after being selected with pick No.27.

He’s been quick to show why the Blues were so keen on him, particularly in 2018. Fisher re-signed with the Blues in April until the end of 2021.

Harrison Macreadie — Pick 47

Like Petrevski-Seton, Macreadie burst onto the scene over a year before he was drafted, putting together a strong season in 2015.

Tied to Greater Western Sydney via its Academy, the Blues selected Macreadie with pick No.47 after the Giants elected not to match the bid. It meant Macreadie arrived at the Club which he supported as a kid.

The key defender showed he wasn’t afraid to intercept and take the game on, and was well-regarded for his ability to read the play.

He played eight games in his debut season, including the first five of the year consecutively. Hamstring and calf injuries interrupted his 2018.

Cameron Polson — Pick 59

Polson thought his AFL dream was over before it began after undergoing shoulder surgery in 2016.

Combining his time between the Sandringham Dragons in the TAC Cup and school footy with Haileybury College, Polson’s speed and tackling pressure stood out as both a forward and midfielder.

Polson was captain of Haileybury’s football team, and he tested well at the draft combine in the 20-metre sprint.

The persistent Polson added 12 games in 2018, and impressed in the final game of the season with 15 disposals, seven tackles and two goals.

Tom Williamson — Pick 61

One of the youngest in the draft pool, Williamson featured for the GWV Rebels and Vic Country in his draft year and could go down as a big draft steal.

Williamson showed recruiters his endurance was a strong point in the draft combine, finishing in the top 10 in seven fitness tests. It included coming first in the agility test and second in the 3km time trial.

A lovely left foot kick, Carlton welcomed Williamson with pick No.61. He belied his late draft selection in his first year, playing 15 games in his debut season.

With his back injury now hopefully a thing of the past, Bluebaggers are looking forward to seeing Williamson back in action.

Patrick Kerr — Pick 65

It wasn’t a surprise to anyone that Patrick Kerr’s preference was to be a Blue. And after a long wait on draft night, that’s exactly what happened.

The grandson of Hall of Fame Laurie, Kerr’s draft season saw him named at full forward in the All Australian team as well as featuring in the TAC Cup Team of the Year.

His Under-18 Championships form for Vic Metro saw him kick four goals in the final quarter against South Australia to will his team to victory.

He played his first four games of AFL in 2018, and has been building steadily for the Northern Blues over two seasons.

Kym Lebois — Rookie selection

The eighth player on Carlton’s list from the 2016 draft haul, Lebois was taken with the No.5 pick in the rookie draft.

His highlights package during his time at North Adelaide in the SANFL under-18s showed he was capable of the impossible. His ball-use is clearly a strength, finishing in the top 10 in the kicking test at the draft combine.

While he’s yet to make a senior debut, the nephew of Aaron and Alwyn Davey has tricks up his sleeve. Lebois will be out to break his AFL duck with his injury troubles hopefully now behind him.

Draft hauls revisited

2013: Patrick Cripps, Darcy Lang
2014: Jarrod Pickett, Caleb Marchbank, Jarrod Garlett, Mitch McGovern
2015: Jacob Weitering, Harry McKay, Charlie Curnow, Matthew Kennedy, David Cuningham, Jack Silvagni
2016: Will Setterfield, Sam Petrevski-Seton, Zac Fisher, Harrison Macreadie, Cameron Polson, Tom Williamson, Patrick Kerr, Kym Lebois