CARLTON could have turned its round 12 clash against Greater Western Sydney into a virtual intraclub match.
The Blues had eight former Giants to choose from for Sunday's game at Etihad Stadium, but diluted their recycled GWS flavour when they selected just half of them – Caleb Marchbank, Lachie Plowman, Liam Sumner and Jed Lamb.
If you discount Brisbane's acquisition of 10 Fitzroy players in 1997 as part of the Bears-Lions merger, no club in recent times has hunted so happily from a rival's list.
Carlton's Giant raids started in 2014, shortly before GWS's inaugural list manager, Stephen Silvagni, returned to the club where he established himself as a modern great over 312 games from 1985-2001.
In the 2014 trade period, the Blues controversially gave up their first draft pick, No.7 overall, in return for Kristian Jaksch, who had joined GWS via pick No.12 in the 2012 NAB AFL Draft, Mark Whiley and pick No.19.
Carlton has upped the ante in its pursuit of Giants players under Silvagni's list management stewardship, trading for four Giants in 2015 (Plowman, Andrew Phillips, Sumner and Lamb) and three last year (Marchbank, Jarrod Pickett and Rhys Palmer).
At last year's national draft, the Blues also took a would-be-Giant, Harrison Macreadie, from the Giants' academy program, with GWS declining to match Carlton's bid of pick No.47.
The Blues' Giant hunt has undoubtedly delivered quantity to a list that needed more depth. But how much quality talent have they brought in? And how many ex-Giants will be part of their next finals team?
AFL.com.au casts a critical eye over each of Giants-turned-Blues below.
*Essendon had eight former North Melbourne players on its list in 1993, but this included players who only played in the Kangaroos reserves team such as Damien Hardwick and Joe Misiti: courtesy Champion Data.
Safe long-term bets
CALEB MARCHBANK
Age: 20 Joined: 2017
Games for Carlton: 10
After the Giants reluctantly parted with 2014's No.6 draft pick in last year's trade period, Marchbank has fitted seamlessly into Carlton's back six. Yet to miss a game, the 193cm defender is ranked second at the Blues for rebound 50s and marks, equal second for contested marks and third for one-percenters. Equally at home matching key forwards in one-on-one contests and zoning off to take intercept marks, Marchbank looks set to be a linchpin of the Blues' defence over the next decade.
LACHIE PLOWMAN
Age: 22 Joined: 2016
Games: 29
Has not missed a game since making his club debut in round four last season. At 191cm, 2012's No.3 draft pick is an effective third defender with strong game sense and skills. Has averaged 15 disposals a game in 2017 at a club-leading 88.6 per cent efficiency rate, and is second at Carlton for one-percenters and equal fourth for rebound 50s.
Caleb Marchbank has been an outstanding addition to Carlton's defence. Picture: AFL Photos
Time to shine
JARROD PICKETT
Age: 20 Joined: 2017
Games: 5
The No.4 draft pick from 2014 finally made his AFL debut in round one this season. He held his spot in Carlton's team for the opening five rounds, but had little impact playing primarily as a small forward. Explosively quick and highly skilled, Pickett has the raw tools to succeed at senior level but needs to lift his endurance and work ethic to AFL standards. Contracted until the end of 2019, so has time to establish himself.
Depth players
ANDREW PHILLIPS
Age: 25 Joined: 2016
Games: 17
The Tasmanian enjoyed a strong first season at Ikon Park in 2016, establishing himself as the Blues' support ruckman behind Matthew Kreuzer. A foot injury and Kreuzer's outstanding form as a lone ruckman have limited Phillips to one senior match in 2017, in round five against Port Adelaide. The highly capable tap ruckman re-signed with Carlton this week until the end of 2019, but needs to have more impact around the ground to establish himself in the same team as Kreuzer.
RHYS PALMER
Age: 28 Joined: 2017
Games: 1
The three-club veteran was targeted by the Blues to help fill the hole in their list around the 25-28 age bracket. Palmer has played just one senior game in 2017, in round three against Essendon, despite strong VFL form with the Northern Blues. Contracted until the end of 2018, the 2008 Rising Star's opportunities will likely be limited as Carlton looks to blood its young midfielders.
Injury and Matthew Kreuzer's good form have limited Andrew Phillips in 2017. Picture: AFL Photos
Going, going...
KRISTIAN JAKSCH
Age: 22 Joined: 2015
Games: 7
The key plank of the 2014 trade in which the Blues parted with pick No.7, the tall has not played a senior game since round 17 last year. Has been used at both ends of the ground in the VFL this year and his recent form has been encouraging, but comes out of contract at the end of this season and appears to be on extremely shaky ground.
LIAM SUMNER
Age: 23 Joined: 2016
Games: 17 games
The small forward kicked just eight goals from 16 games last season and, after an injury-interrupted start to 2017, has struggled for opportunity since. Returned to Carlton's team in round 10 against North Melbourne and held his spot for Sunday's clash with the Giants despite managing just eight possessions and a goal against the Kangaroos. Needs a big finish to win a contract for 2018.
JED LAMB
Age: 24 Joined: 2016
Games: 15
A knee injury delayed his start to 2017, but after four games in the VFL (the first in the development league) the forward was recalled for Sunday's game against his former team. Quick and classy, but has been inconsistent over his seven-year AFL career. Faces a make-or-break second half of the season.
Jed Lamb has failed to establish himself at senior level throughout his AFL career. Picture: AFL Photos
Gone
MARK WHILEY
Played: 2015-16
Games: 9
The steak knives in the Jaksch trade, the inside midfielder spent two seasons at Ikon Park but could not establish himself in the senior team.
