IN THE first virtual NAB AFL Draft, Carlton's recruiting staff will swap Marvel Stadium for Ikon Park as they look to welcome the Blues' next wave of talent.

The details

What: 2020 NAB AFL Draft
When: Wednesday 9 December (7pm AEDT onwards) and Thursday 10 December (12pm AEDT onwards)
Night one: The entirety of the 2020 NAB AFL Draft
Day two: The 2021 NAB AFL Pre-Season and Rookie Drafts
Where to watch: Live on FOX Footy and Kayo

Carlton's selections

Carlton will walk into draft night with selections Nos.31, 38 and 78, currently having four vacancies to fill on the list. In particular, the two picks in the second round - acquired in trades with Geelong and Sydney - look to be the major pieces of the puzzle for the Blues on the night.

Of course, it’s most likely that the picks the Blues currently have will not be the exact number on the night, with Next Generation Academy, northern academies and father-son bidding all to take place over the course of the evening.

For the first time since 2002, Carlton does not currently have a pick in the first round: it was traded in the deal which brought Adam Saad to Ikon Park.

This year’s format

Moving away from the tradition of previous seasons, all the picks in the national draft will be announced tonight, with the draft to take place virtually over Zoom. The first selection will be taken at 7pm AEDT.

The rookie and pre-season drafts will take place tomorrow from 12pm AEDT.

Live trading

As Carlton fans would be well aware, this will be the third year that live trading is available to clubs. The Blues have been the only club to make a live trade in the opening round of the draft in both years.

Clubs are able to trade either, both or a combination of their 2020 and 2021 draft picks.

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.