The 2013 AFL National Draft will be held on the Gold Coast on Thursday 21 November.
There has been much talk in the media about this year’s draft being an “even” one, but Carlton’s National Recruitment Manager Shane Rogers says he doesn't necessarily agree.
"The draft this year is no different to other years, except it's probably not as deep,” Rogers said.
"It means we're expecting the top 30 or so players to be of an equally high standard.
“However, whether pick 13 will be of the same standard as last year – well we won't know until years down the track."
Carlton has been allocated seven draft selections, but will only use its first three picks which include 13, 39 and 51.
To ensure the picks are used effectively, Rogers and his team have attended more than 600 live games, met with numerous players and worked through a draft strategy.
While Rogers remains tight-lipped about which draftees may be donning the navy blue guernsey, he did say the players picked will be chosen because they’re the best fit for the Club.
"When it comes to drafting players to Carlton, we must remember to differentiate between the best players available in the draft, and the best players available for the Club – they're two different types of players,” Rogers said.
"If a player doesn't fit with the culture at a Club, it will affect his long-term performance.
“So ensuring players will fit within our team is something that we take very seriously.
"We put as much science into these decisions as we can, but there is also an element of gut-feel and reflecting on decisions we have made in the past."
Since the end of the season Carlton has already made a number of changes to its list.
The Club secured Dale Thomas, Andrejs Everitt and Sam Docherty through the trade period, while Eddie Betts left after receiving a lucrative offer from Adelaide and Shaun Hampson was traded to Richmond.
Nine other players were delisted including Heath Scotland, but the Blues veteran will be playing on next year and will be redrafted by Carlton as a rookie.
