Each week, ESPN.com.au AFL draft expert Chris Doerre casts his eye over the country's best junior footballers to give readers an early insight into the next generation of AFL stars.
As well as attending live games, Doerre pores through match vision, analyses the stats and talks to industry sources to ensure he can offer the most insightful draft analysis.
Aside from the weekly wraps, Doerre will also unveil his power rankings at the end of each month and as we get closer to November's national draft, Doerre will also predict who goes where with his annual phantom draft.
Arguably the best potential draft pick of the past 10 years, and possibly ever, is up for grabs in this year's AFL draft. Jack Lukosius is comparable to Nick Riewoldt at the same age as a key forward and like the former Saint, runs opponents off their feet and takes marks all over the field.
Lukosius possesses a further dimension to his game, boasting potentially the best kick in this year's draft pool. He displays precision and placement over long distance and the vision to hurt his opponents, making him stand out above his peers.
Possessing these two rare points of difference, Lukosius with time and continued development has the scope to become a potentially unstoppable key forward.
With Carlton almost certain to 'win' this year's wooden spoon and therefore the rights to the No. 1 pick, surely the Blues select the 194cm, 82kg South Australian, right?
Maybe not. Let's explore the possibilities as Carlton weighs up their options with the first pick of this year's draft.
Does Carlton need another key position player?
Carlton possess a host of players with key position capabilities including Levi Casboult, Charlie Curnow, Tom De Koning, Jesse Glass-McCasker, Liam Jones, Pat Kerr, Harrison Macreadie, Caleb Marchbank, Harry McKay, Lachie Plowman, Sam Rowe, Alex Silvagni, Jack Silvagni and Jacob Weitering.
While Carlton's key position stocks are extensive, the query surrounds their quality as opposed to quantity. However, the key pieces for the Blues are starting to come together. Down back, Weitering, despite a poor season, possesses the scope to become one of the competition's best key defenders while Marchbank looks likely to hold down a second key defence post if he can continue to improve one-on-one and develop a more reliable kick. Plowman is a suitable compliment in the back half, able to play tall or small.
Up forward, Curnow is one of the competition's premier young key forwards and is likely to be paired long term with McKay. If the 200cm McKay improves his endurance and ruck craft, he would be an ideal fit as a key forward who plays relieving ruck minutes.
So, where would Lukosius fit if selected by Carlton at No. 1? Put simply, he would be an ideal complement to Curnow and McKay. The addition would complete their key forward rotation with Lukosius able to push high up the field and open games up with his kicking and provide a hard-working marking target forward of centre.
With rival clubs craving key position talent, Carlton may be able to offer some of their existing key position players for picks or players during the trade period. This would open list positions for the Blues to add veteran leadership or fill other pressing list holes and improve their best 22.
If Carlton explore trades for pick No. 1, what is the best possible realistic package?
The most spoken about potential trade partner for Carlton has been Adelaide, who are said to be desperate to secure rights to the South Australian prospect. With ownership of picks seven, 12 (Melbourne), 19 (Carlton), 37 (Carlton) and their 2019 picks as potential trade pieces, Adelaide control a combination of draft choices to make a play for the Blues' coveted first pick. If Adelaide offered picks seven, 12 and 19 for pick No. 1, it would allow Carlton to maximise the volume of appealing picks received in a deal.
If Carlton desire a high quality established player and a pick, Greater Western Sydney, which has a long-standing trade relationship with the Blues, may have the most to offer. While Dylan Shiel has one more year remaining on his contract, he has long been rumoured a chance to join a Victorian club. Shiel is the calibre of player who would need to be included in a trade of this magnitude to spark interest from Carlton. The Giants control picks 16, 24 (Fremantle), 42 (Essendon) and their own 2019 first and second round selections which could also be included in a possible deal. If Shiel was paired with pick 16, the Blues may be tempted to trade considering they would remain inside the first round while improving their midfield with an upper-echelon star who can remain with the club over the medium to long term.
A possible wildcard in the pick No. 1 stakes and a club with the potential to be active this offseason is Gold Coast. With Tom Lynch set to depart the club as a restricted free agent, if Gold Coast finish 17th, they will not only receive pick No. 2, but pick No. 3 as compensation for Lynch's departure. Gold Coast also possess selections 17 (West Coast), 26 (Essendon) and their own 2019 choices which may be used as part of a trade. A trade of pick No. 2 and pick 17 for pick No. 1 and pick 25 (Adelaide) may be enough for a deal to be done.
Is Lukosius the only option for pick No. 1?
Despite Lukosius being viewed by most as the best player in the draft, it is believed Carlton favour Victorian midfielder Sam Walsh. With Carlton's list filled with a high proportion of key position players and a lack of quality midfielders, Walsh is a Round 1-ready compliment to inside powerhouse Patrick Cripps, and can add quality to their light-on midfield.
As well as Lukosius, injured key forward Max King is believed to be in the conversation and will no doubt be discussed at length by Carlton recruiters.
What should Carlton do?
While Carlton possess an excessive number of key position players, they should keep it simple and retain pick No. 1 to draft Lukosius. To get the most out of Lukosius, he and the club's other developing young stars need to be surrounded with veteran leaders who buy into the coach's message and can help accelerate the growth of the club's youth.
Carlton would be well advised to seek out one or two veterans who can perform a role comparable to what Luke Hodge has played for Brisbane this season. Otherwise, as with Carlton's former No. 1 selections past, there is the risk that Lukosius and the club's other developing players will not fulfil their potential.
Lukosius has the scope to be a generational talent. He can be slotted onto a wing or forward flank without hurting the tall/small balance due to his running ability and skills. He is simply too promising to pass up and has the potential to be the best pick No. 1 we have ever seen.