Carlton secured a mega-trade of four Greater Western Sydney players on the second last day of the AFL trade period, but lost exciting forward Troy Menzel to Adelaide in the process.
Giants Lachie Plowman, Liam Sumner, Jed Lamb and Andrew Phillips, along with pick No.8, all went to the Blues in exchange for draft picks 28, 77 and 95 this year and the 2016 first-round pick that Carlton received from Geelong for Lachie Henderson.
To get that deal done, the Blues sent South Australian forward Menzel to the Crows in exchange for pick 28 and goal-kicking midfielder Sam Kerridge.
It was a bold move given the popularity of 21-year-old Menzel with Carlton fans, but list manager Stephen Silvagni, who previously held a similar position with GWS, said it was an important part of his extensive overhaul of the club's playing stocks.
"To get pick No.8 is a big win for our footy club - I don't think we've ever had two picks inside (the top 10)," Silvagni said. "The club came out strong at the start of this year that the list needed to be rebuilt and I think there's some significant moves in terms of what's happened through trade period.
"We've secured four young men with great potential. Among them are three former first-round draft picks, each with the benefit of having some AFL experience under their belt."
The wooden-spooners retain the highly prized first pick in November's draft.
Plowman (taken third overall at the 2012 draft), Sumner (10th in 2011) and Lamb (21st in 2010) are all first-round selections but have struggled to establish themselves with the Giants.
GWS football manager Graeme Allan said securing a first-round draft pick next year was a key part of the deal.
"With the introduction of trading future picks, we have implemented a strategy that ensures we are well placed this year and in a very strong position next year," Allan said.
"Given the competition for places on our list, some players will naturally seek greater playing opportunities elsewhere, as is the case with Lachie, Andrew, Jed and Liam.
"We are also required to reduce our list ahead of the 2016 season, in accordance with AFL rules, and the draft selections gained through these trades will form an important part of our strategy at next month's AFL draft."
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