AS THE countdown to this year's free agency, trade and draft periods continues, we're looking back at how some current Blues arrived at the Club.

Continuing on, we rewind to look at the deal which brought Lachie Plowman to the football club.

The deal

It was a complex deal with many moving parts which saw Lachie Plowman become a Carlton player.

Arriving alongside three GWS teammates, Carlton sent pick No.28 to the Giants — a draft choice which it had gained (alongside Sam Kerridge) in exchange for Troy Menzel.

The other part of the deal saw Carlton exchange a future first-round draft pick, which it had gained for Lachie Henderson, for pick No.8. Come November’s draft, the Blues welcomed Harry McKay with that selection.

How it has transpired

With widespread acclaim from all of his teammates and his coaches, Plowman has become one of the much-loved figures by those at Ikon Park.

It’s no surprise that since Plowman earned his Navy Blue debut in 2016, he has played every game when fit: since his debut in Round 4 five seasons ago, Plowman has missed just 12 games through injury.

In that time, Plowman has consistently taken the opposition’s most dangerous forward, taking big scalps against the likes of Charlie Cameron, Robbie Gray and Michael Walters in recent years.

Speaking after his 100th AFL game earlier this year, Plowman - who rarely does media - spoke of his no-fuss attitude in getting his job done.

It’s exactly that which has made him so highly regarded within the four walls on Royal Parade, where he has also spent time in the leadership group. He was rewarded with a three-year contract extension, committing to the Club until the end of 2023.

Their best moment

It was an accolade which took many by surprise — including the man himself.

But it was an indication of the regard that the coaching staff has for Lachie Plowman when he finished third in the 2019 John Nicholls Medal count.

Just nine votes adrift of three-time winner Patrick Cripps, it was a year which saw Plowman rank elite for intercept possessions and spoil while going head-to-head with - and beating - All Australians in Charlie Cameron, Jack Darling and Michael Walters.

It was a career-best season for Plowman in 2019, and he may yet go very close to repeating his efforts in the 2020 count after missing just one game this year.

Where to from here?

A century of games in Navy Blue is around the corner for Plowman, who has chalked up 90 in his five seasons so far.

There’s also the long wait for his first Carlton goal: after kicking a goal in his fifth game for GWS, his goalless streak has now extended to 105 games.

Carlton’s defensive mix won’t be too fussed by that, however, with Plowman continually getting his job done alongside fellow ever-presents in Liam Jones and Jacob Weitering.

A key part of the Blues’ defensive set-up in recent years, there’s no doubt that Plowman will be looking forward to the return of good mate - and fellow trade acquisition - Caleb Marchbank and a first taste of finals football in the near future.