The 2004 National Draft was the first time Carlton was allowed unfettered access to the National Draft after our salary cap-inspired draft penalties over 2002 and 2003. As such, it was a day of celebration for the Blues to finally be allowed an even playing field with the other Clubs.
With 3 Clubs entitled to Priority Picks - Richmond, the Bulldogs and Hawthorn, Carlton's first pick wasn't until Pick 9 despite our modest finish (11th with 10 wins) in 2004. Our draft picks were as follows:
Pick 9 : Jordan Russell, West Adelaide, SANFL
Pick 25 : Adam Hartlett, West Adelaide, SANFL
Pick 41 : Luke Blackwell, Swan Districts, WAFL
Pick 73 : Chris Bryan, Frankston, VFL
Pick 77 : Anthony Raso, Dandenong Stingrays U18
The Blues went interstate for our first 3 picks, with Russell and Hartlett taken from the strongly performing West Adelaide juniors under Shaun Rehn. Luke Blackwell was taken as a Father / Son selection from the West, whilst our next selections were taken after draft picks had been exchanged for Longmuir and Chambers.
Still without support in the ruck, the Blues went for Chris Bryan from the VFL, and surprised the footy world with a late, speculative pick on the young Anthony Raso. Wayne Hughes, Carlton's recruiting manager, commented that he was confident that Raso would have been a top 20 pick in a subsequent year.
With 3 Clubs entitled to Priority Picks - Richmond, the Bulldogs and Hawthorn, Carlton's first pick wasn't until Pick 9 despite our modest finish (11th with 10 wins) in 2004. Our draft picks were as follows:
Pick 9 : Jordan Russell, West Adelaide, SANFL
Pick 25 : Adam Hartlett, West Adelaide, SANFL
Pick 41 : Luke Blackwell, Swan Districts, WAFL
Pick 73 : Chris Bryan, Frankston, VFL
Pick 77 : Anthony Raso, Dandenong Stingrays U18
The Blues went interstate for our first 3 picks, with Russell and Hartlett taken from the strongly performing West Adelaide juniors under Shaun Rehn. Luke Blackwell was taken as a Father / Son selection from the West, whilst our next selections were taken after draft picks had been exchanged for Longmuir and Chambers.
Still without support in the ruck, the Blues went for Chris Bryan from the VFL, and surprised the footy world with a late, speculative pick on the young Anthony Raso. Wayne Hughes, Carlton's recruiting manager, commented that he was confident that Raso would have been a top 20 pick in a subsequent year.