THE future of four Carlton players will be decided after the NAB AFL Trade Period, with a handful of Blues forced to play the waiting game on new deals for 2019.
Jed Lamb, Matt Wright, Sam Kerridge and Nick Graham are all uncontracted for next year, but are yet to be offered extensions going into the exchange period.
AFL.com.au understands the four Blues have been told that the club's success with potential incoming trades will decide whether they will be offered new deals for next season.
Lamb enjoyed a much-improved second half of the year after shifting into the backline, while Wright has been a consistent goalkicker since joining the club in late 2015.
Meanwhile, midfield pair Kerridge and Graham have been on the fringe of Carlton's senior team this season, managing just 10 games each throughout the campaign.
It's believed that a number of the uncontracted Carlton players have also been told that they may be retained, but via the club's rookie list.
Sam Rowe also remains unsigned, though it's believed he is likely to get a new deal as Carlton looks to find stability within its list after mass change over the past three years.
Rowe, who turns 31 in November, has been a consistent performer for the Blues after arriving as a mature-aged draftee back in 2012. He has played 99 career games.
Kade Simpson already re-signed for his 17th AFL season on Thursday, while fellow veteran defender Dale Thomas is also expected to ink a new contract for 2019 imminently.
Adelaide's Mitch McGovern leads the club's list of trade targets, though the Blues will likely be forced to give up a first-round draft pick in order to land the contracted forward.
Greater Western Sydney pair Dylan Shiel and Will Setterfield have also been linked with moves to Carlton, who has made no secret of its desire to attract experienced midfielders.
The Blues currently have picks 1, 24, 25, 65 and 73 at the upcoming NAB AFL Draft, but could receive an additional early selection as a priority pick from the AFL.
Carlton has already made five list changes following the retirement of Alex Silvagni and the delistings of Aaron Mullett, Cam O'Shea, Matt Shaw and Jesse Glass-McCasker.
