Blab Sports
Carlton Eyes Mid-Season Draft Pick Marcus Herbert as List Overhaul Continues
Carlton Football Club’s latest move has turned a spotlight on 23‑year‑old West Coast Eagles speedster Marcus Herbert. The Blues selected him in the 2026 mid‑season draft after he delivered a string of high‑disposal performances for Geelong’s Victorian Football League affiliate.
Herbert has already begun to make his mark in the AFL. In seven games for the Eagles, he posted back‑to‑back 30‑plus disposal matches over the past fortnight. AFL Media reports that West Coast has offered him a one‑year contract extension, a clear sign that the club believes in his continued development.
The Blues, however, still face uncertainty around veteran rebounders Zac Williams and Adam Saad. Club football boss Chris Davies told the SEN network in May that, while the list is more balanced than last year, it remains “good enough” to compete at the top level. Davies added that the club will keep overhauling its roster, a process that began with the departures of Charlie Curnow, Jack Silvagni and Tom De Koning.
“We started that last year with trading out the players that we did, or letting them go in free agency,” Davies said. “We’re well‑placed from a draft capital standpoint to get Cody Walker in, and do some other things into the future, but I want to make sure that we’re bringing in some young talent which is going to be required for us to be a sustainable force up the top end of the ladder.”
Herbert’s draft profile attracted attention from several clubs ahead of the mid‑season intake. Richmond, Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs reportedly expressed a desire to secure the speedster. The player was originally drafted from Geelong and South Warrnambool.
Adding a player of Herbert’s profile fits Carlton’s stated goal of injecting more flair and dynamism into the back half of its lineup. Recent list changes have focused on creating a more balanced squad, but the coaching staff and leadership group have repeatedly emphasized the need for additional young talent to sustain competitiveness.
Herbert’s performances for West Coast have been a key factor in the Blues’ interest. In seven games, he has shown the ability to deliver high disposal counts, a skill that could translate well into Carlton’s midfield structure. The Eagles’ willingness to extend his contract for another year suggests that the player is viewed as a valuable asset, and the Blues see an opportunity to acquire a proven AFL performer.
The mid‑season draft is a strategic tool for clubs looking to address gaps that have emerged during the season. For Carlton, the selection of Herbert represents a calculated risk: the club is trading a player who has already proven himself at the AFL level for a potential long‑term contributor.
While the Blues have yet to confirm a decision on Williams and Saad, the club’s list strategy indicates a preference for younger, high‑potential players. The departure of several senior players last year has left a void that the coaching staff believes can only be filled by a combination of draft picks and strategic mid‑season acquisitions.
The Eagles’ interest in Herbert also highlights the competitive nature of the mid‑season draft. Clubs such as Richmond, Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs are actively seeking to bolster their rosters, and the fact that West Coast has already secured a contract extension for Herbert suggests that the player is highly regarded across the league.
In summary, Carlton’s pursuit of Marcus Herbert is part of a broader list overhaul aimed at creating a more balanced and competitive squad. The club’s focus on adding flair and depth to its back half, coupled with the need to secure young talent, has driven the decision to target a proven AFL performer in the mid‑season draft.
The outcome of this move will be closely watched as the season progresses. If Herbert’s transition to the Blues is successful, it could provide the club with a significant boost in midfield dynamism and help to address the gaps left by recent player departures.
The Blues will need to monitor the integration of Herbert into the team, as well as the status of Williams and Saad, to determine the next steps in their list management strategy. The club’s ability to balance immediate performance needs with long‑term development will be critical to its success in the coming months.
As the season continues, Carlton’s list decisions, including the potential acquisition of Marcus Herbert, will play a pivotal role in shaping the club’s competitive trajectory and its pursuit of a top‑tier finish in the AFL.
Herbert has already begun to make his mark in the AFL. In seven games for the Eagles, he posted back‑to‑back 30‑plus disposal matches over the past fortnight. AFL Media reports that West Coast has offered him a one‑year contract extension, a clear sign that the club believes in his continued development.
The Blues, however, still face uncertainty around veteran rebounders Zac Williams and Adam Saad. Club football boss Chris Davies told the SEN network in May that, while the list is more balanced than last year, it remains “good enough” to compete at the top level. Davies added that the club will keep overhauling its roster, a process that began with the departures of Charlie Curnow, Jack Silvagni and Tom De Koning.
“We started that last year with trading out the players that we did, or letting them go in free agency,” Davies said. “We’re well‑placed from a draft capital standpoint to get Cody Walker in, and do some other things into the future, but I want to make sure that we’re bringing in some young talent which is going to be required for us to be a sustainable force up the top end of the ladder.”
Herbert’s draft profile attracted attention from several clubs ahead of the mid‑season intake. Richmond, Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs reportedly expressed a desire to secure the speedster. The player was originally drafted from Geelong and South Warrnambool.
Adding a player of Herbert’s profile fits Carlton’s stated goal of injecting more flair and dynamism into the back half of its lineup. Recent list changes have focused on creating a more balanced squad, but the coaching staff and leadership group have repeatedly emphasized the need for additional young talent to sustain competitiveness.
Herbert’s performances for West Coast have been a key factor in the Blues’ interest. In seven games, he has shown the ability to deliver high disposal counts, a skill that could translate well into Carlton’s midfield structure. The Eagles’ willingness to extend his contract for another year suggests that the player is viewed as a valuable asset, and the Blues see an opportunity to acquire a proven AFL performer.
The mid‑season draft is a strategic tool for clubs looking to address gaps that have emerged during the season. For Carlton, the selection of Herbert represents a calculated risk: the club is trading a player who has already proven himself at the AFL level for a potential long‑term contributor.
While the Blues have yet to confirm a decision on Williams and Saad, the club’s list strategy indicates a preference for younger, high‑potential players. The departure of several senior players last year has left a void that the coaching staff believes can only be filled by a combination of draft picks and strategic mid‑season acquisitions.
The Eagles’ interest in Herbert also highlights the competitive nature of the mid‑season draft. Clubs such as Richmond, Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs are actively seeking to bolster their rosters, and the fact that West Coast has already secured a contract extension for Herbert suggests that the player is highly regarded across the league.
In summary, Carlton’s pursuit of Marcus Herbert is part of a broader list overhaul aimed at creating a more balanced and competitive squad. The club’s focus on adding flair and depth to its back half, coupled with the need to secure young talent, has driven the decision to target a proven AFL performer in the mid‑season draft.
The outcome of this move will be closely watched as the season progresses. If Herbert’s transition to the Blues is successful, it could provide the club with a significant boost in midfield dynamism and help to address the gaps left by recent player departures.
The Blues will need to monitor the integration of Herbert into the team, as well as the status of Williams and Saad, to determine the next steps in their list management strategy. The club’s ability to balance immediate performance needs with long‑term development will be critical to its success in the coming months.
As the season continues, Carlton’s list decisions, including the potential acquisition of Marcus Herbert, will play a pivotal role in shaping the club’s competitive trajectory and its pursuit of a top‑tier finish in the AFL.
