Richmond are ready to bid on Cody Walker. Carlton can match it.
Written by Marcus Guarnera
Carlton trade period has hit it’s second day and it still seeming to be a slow burner, as the Blues are still yet to complete a deal by the end of day 2. The Blues have been involved with many moves including Lachie Whitfield to Ikon Park, which no talks happening over a deal. A main reason is likely Cody Walker as Carlton also need to prepare to match a bid for Walker.
Cody walker isn’t expected to go at one as Essendon have expressed interest in bidding on Dougie Cochrane instead. Port Adelaide have the rights to bid on Cochrane as he has come through Port Adelaide’s Next Gen Academy. For Essendon they will then have the right to the second draft pick, which will push Walker down to at least two which will help Carlton.
However, Essendon have shown zero intention of using their second pick to bid on Walker meaning he would drop to at least pick three. Richmond would then hold the pick and have expressed interest in possibly taking a bid on Cody Walker with pick three. Richmond’s national recruiting manager Rhy Gieschen, went on trade radio today when asked about the possibility of bidding on Walker.
Cody Walker competes in the 2km Time Trial during the AFL National Draft Combine Testing at George Knott Reserve on October 01, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)
His words were vague saying that it is something that it’s something that Richmond have "A strong chance that that's something we'd highly consider." It give’s Carlton management something to seriously consider, in regard to how they will operate for the rest of the trade period. Pick three currently holds a point value of 2178, which means Carlton will need their top two picks to be worth at least 1766 to fall within the 412 point deficit allowed.
Carlton will also only be allowed to use two draft picks to match a bid for Walker under the new draft regulations which come into effect for this year. Currently, Carlton hold pick 11 and 16, but those will likely drop down one after compensation for Max King takes place. If these are pick 12 and 17 Carlton will hold a points value of worth of 2129 which will be enough to get Cody Walker. However, pick 16 has been rumoured to be used in a trade for Lachie Whitfield. This comes as the Greater Western Sydney Giants are requesting a first round pick if they are to trade Whitfield in the next two weeks.
If, Carlton do decide to use pick 16 on Whitfield, it would see their next pick be at 23 which will eventually drop to 24. Pairing that pick with pick 11 (which will fall to twleve) will see Carlton have a points value of 1761 which will see Carlton fall outside of the 412 point defecit allowed by five points. Meaning that if Carlton do trade away pick 16 they will have to make a separate trade to move up in the draft to make up the five points they are short and potentially others which will make it easier to match the point defecit next year.
