Carlton confirm interest in trio of rival players, latest on Curnow's future: AFL trade news

Carlton have provided a wide-ranging preview of their trade plans for 2025, confirming plays for a trio of rival players keen to join the Blues and the latest on wantaway forward Charlie Curnow.

Blues list manager Nick Austin has confirmed reports of West Coast's Campbell Chesser, Western Bulldogs swingman Buku Khamis and Fremantle ruckman Liam Reidy all seeking trades to Princes Park.

Chesser and Reidy are both off-contract but will need to be traded, given they don't meet the free agency requirements, while Khamis is under contract.

Ahead of the trade period's opening on Monday, Austin spoke with the club's media arm on the club's position to add to its list with depth options on the open market.

"Focus for the trade period will be on building out that depth in positions of need," Austin said.

"Players we feel can come in straight away, have an impact and build out depth in areas of need (are what we're chasing).

"We've got some players already committed to the club, and we're looking to get deals done for those guys early on in the week.

"We're having dialogue with all three of those clubs, (they're) progressing well, and we'll keep those conversations nice and respectful.

"They're tracking in the right way, and we feel we'll be able to get a resolution there."

The Blues' draft hand has been bolstered since the opening of the free agency window on Friday, with the departures of Tom De Koning and Jack Silvagni to St Kilda netting them a pair of first-round picks.

Carlton's selection of picks now sits at 9, 21, 40, 49 and 67 overall for next month's count.

That hand could be bolstered further should Coleman Medal winner Charlie Curnow's wish to leave be granted, however Austin and the Blues have stood firm in that the superstar spearhead will be in the navy-blue next year.

"Our position on Charlie has been pretty clear for quite some time now," Austin said of Curnow. "We had a really honest conversation with Charlie at the end of the season.

"Every decision we make is in the best interests of the Carlton Football Club.

"He's had a chance over the break to go and have a bit of a refresh, but we fully expect him to be a Carlton player in 2026."

Another Blues player facing an uncertain future is youngster Elijah Hollands, who has been informed that he is permitted to explore his options this trade period.

Hollands has faced personal challenges since arriving at the Blues at the end of 2023 from Gold Coast, having managed just five games this year after a 22-match season in his maiden Carlton campaign.

"Elijah has been given the opportunity to explore his options through this trade period," Austin said in an update on the ex-Sun's future.

"We'll just have to see what happens in the next 10 days."

The 2025 Trade Period will close on the evening of Wednesday, October 15.

Click here to read article