Jade Gresham celebrates a goal during the R7 match between St Kilda and Port Adelaide at Marvel Stadium on April 28, 2023. Picture: AFL Photos

ST KILDA free agent Jade Gresham could be the "missing piece" for a Carlton side lacking forward-half quality, according to Gettable co-host Cal Twomey.

Speaking on AFL.com.au's trade and draft show Gettable this week, Twomey identified Gresham as being a player the Blues could target at season's end and identified the ways in which the club could make a deal work.

"I think Carlton needs another gamebreaker in the forward half," Twomey said.

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"That dose of speed and class between the midfield and the forward line, the link-up player, the guy who can finish off. We know they went for Tom Papley a few years ago. Hindsight is a beautiful thing, but he would have been so perfect for them.

"There's one on the free agency list, though, that now I'm looking at. It's Jade Gresham. He'd be a missing piece for them, with his ability in both areas of the ground. That's the bit that fits. There are some challenges that would have to be worked through to make it happen."

As revealed in AFL.com.au's Inside Trading back in March, Gresham has elected to park talks with St Kilda as he navigates through a season in which he has become one of the League's most in-demand restricted free agents.

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But can Carlton afford a deal? According to Twomey, the fact the Blues were able to extend Coleman Medal winners Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay on six- and seven-year extensions respectively over the last off-season could help them.

"The other question is around Carlton's cap. I don't think that's as much of an issue in terms of attracting a player as some might think," Twomey said.

"When you have Charlie Curnow signed to 2029 and Harry McKay to 2030, that gives huge flexibility. They can back-end deals, they can push money around, you can underpay a player for a certain year and pay them back in a couple of years' time knowing that you've got so many years to work with.

"That's the beauty of the long-term deal. The long-term deal, in this case, could give them some opportunities to say, 'Gresh, let's press some flesh, come down to Ikon Park'. I feel like that's a really good fit."