With the year 2020 just about to wrap up, we're looking forward to seeing what the year 2021 has to bring.
With Carlton participating actively in the free agency period, the trade period and the 2020 NAB AFL Draft, there will be a fair few new faces at Ikon Park in the new year.
Zac Williams
Zac Williams arrived at the Club through free agency, nominating Carlton as his preferred destination club.
Williams agreed to a six-year deal with the Blues, and will add poise, toughness and dynamic play-making ability to a Carlton side looking to take the next step forward in 2021.
Able to play through the middle or in defence, Williams will become a valuable asset for the Blues next year.
Adam Saad
Adam Saad was traded to Carlton from Essendon, alongside picks No.48 and No.78, in exchange for picks No.8 and No.87.
One of the best small defenders in the game, Saad will bring an immediate injection of breathtaking speed, elite ball-use and proven defensive brilliance – the perfect fit for Carlton’s attacking, fast ball-movement under Senior Coach David Teague.
At 26 years old, another outstanding season of consistency saw Saad finish 2020 inside the top 10 in the competition for metres gained, while going above 80 per cent for disposal efficiency.
Saad nominated Carlton as his preferred club and will bring passion and excitement to the Carlton list.
Lachie Fogarty
After a trade with Geelong, Lachie Fogarty joined the Blues, as well as pick No.38 from the Cats, in exchange for pick No.30 and No.51 in the 2020 NAB AFL Draft.
Selected with the No.22 overall pick in the 2017 National Draft, Fogarty possesses elite agility, turn of speed and class with the potential to develop into a dynamic member of the Blues’ forward line.
He has played 23 AFL games to date and finished the 2020 season ranked above average for disposals, contested possessions, inside 50s as well as tackles – averaging more than three per game.
An exciting prospect going forward, Fogarty will have the opportunity to develop his game and take the next step in his AFL career with Carlton.
Corey Durdin
Carlton selected Corey Durdin with Pick No 37 in the 2020 NAB AFL Draft, their first pick of the night.
Coming from South Australia, Durdin is capable of playing both in the midfield and up forward, with his combination of speed and skills making him a handful for the opposition.
The Central Districts product made his SANFL debut as a 17-year-old before playing a further nine senior games this year.
The clean and clever competitor will learn from the likes of Eddie Betts and Zac Fisher on playing the small forward role for the Blues.
Jack Carroll
Touted as one of the most talented young midfielders in the country, Jack Carroll was selected with pick No.41 at the 2020 NAB AFL Draft.
He starred for East Fremantle’s Colts side in the WAFL, averaging 23 disposals and over five clearances per game before a wrist injury ended his season prematurely.
Carroll is the modern day hybrid midfielder in that he can win both contested and uncontested ball: he’s just as comfortable getting physical at the contest as he is using his class in space.
Highly regarded by the list management team, Carroll's commitment and class will hold him in good stead heading into 2021.
Luke Parks
Defender Luke Parks will call Ikon Park home in 2021 after being selected by Carlton with pick No.8 in the 2021 NAB AFL Rookie Draft.
A former member of the Sydney Swans academy, Parks relocated to South Australia in 2020 with the hope of giving himself every opportunity to get his chance on an AFL list.
At 19 years of age, Parks starred for Glenelg in a defensive role, playing all 15 games for the season in a team which went on to play finals football.
Standing at 192 centimetres, Parks’ aerial prowess is his main attribute: he averaged over six marks per game in the state league competition, while taking 24 contested marks over the course of the year.
Parks will add to the defensive depth of the Carlton side, alongside the likes of Jacob Weitering and Sam Docherty.
