Carlton list changes: Adam Saad and Zac Williams among 11 players cut in brutal post-season cull

Carlton’s 2026 list surgery saw 11 players cut, including Adam Saad and Zac Williams. The Blues’ overhaul reflects depth concerns and a strategy to rebuild ahead of the 2027 draft. The club will rely on rookie promotions, the national draft and potential trades to fill vacancies.

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 05:05:33 GMT

After a season that saw the Blues finish 12th with 12 wins, Carlton’s leadership decided that a sweeping list overhaul was necessary. The club announced the release of 11 players from its 45‑man 2026 roster, a move that has been described as one of the most extensive in recent AFL history.

Key departures and the scale of the cull

The headline names were Adam Saad, the former free‑agent star, and Zac Williams, a once‑promised talent who never fully broke into the senior side. Other exits included Camporeale brothers Ben and Lucas, former Geelong small forward Lachie Fogarty, and backman Jordan Boyd. The list also saw the removal of tall defender Matt Willis, forward Flynn Young, Irishman Matt Duffy, and rookie Harry Charleson, who never played a senior game.

By comparison, West Coast has made only four changes to its senior list so far this off‑season, while Essendon has cut five. Carlton’s 11‑player cull is more reminiscent of bottom‑four teams or clubs in the midst of a rebuild.

Why the Blues are pruning the list

Several factors contributed to the decision. First, Carlton’s earlier trades for top‑10 picks in 2020 and 2021 (Saad and Adam Cerra) and the multi‑pick haul to secure Jagga Smith and Harry Dean have left the club with a thinner depth pool. Second, the club’s strategy under former coach Michael Voss involved importing fringe players like Lewis Young and Fogarty to fill short‑term gaps, a move that has since produced replacements such as Harry O’Farrell.

Additional roster changes came with the recruitment of Wade Derkson from Greater Western Sydney and ruckman Flynn Riley from the VFL. The cumulative effect of these moves, coupled with the trade of Charlie Curnow for a package that included Will Hayward, Ollie Florent, Ben Ainsworth and Liam Reidy, has left Carlton with a significant number of vacancies.

How the Blues plan to fill the gaps

The club will look to promote at least two, and possibly up to four, rookies to the senior list. Players such as Frankie Evans, who emerged as a key forward in the latter part of the season, and Matt Carroll, who showed promise before a knee injury, are likely candidates. Cooper Lord, who has shown improvement, may also be elevated.

Beyond internal promotions, Carlton will rely on the 2027 national draft, which will be the last before the Tasmania Devils enter the competition. The club has secured North Melbourne and Gold Coast’s second‑round picks, ensuring it can field at least one second‑round selection after accounting for the first‑round cost of drafting father‑son Cody Walker.

In addition to the draft, the Blues may target mature players via free agency or trades. The club has expressed interest in Collingwood’s delisted half‑back Wil Parker, and the Camporeale brothers have been invited to train and compete for a list spot in pre‑season, indicating that Carlton will retain at least one 2027 list berth.

What this means for the future

Chief executive Graham Wright and football boss Chris Davies have signalled that the club’s leadership remains committed to a long‑term rebuild. The cull demonstrates a willingness to make hard decisions to address depth issues and to position the club for sustained improvement. The next steps will involve careful drafting, strategic trades, and the continued development of young talent.

While the Blues have not yet named a replacement for departing list manager Nick Austin, the club’s approach suggests that a new recruiting strategy will be unveiled after the upcoming drafts.

In short, Carlton’s 11‑player cull marks a decisive moment in the club’s quest to rebuild a competitive list for the 2027 season and beyond.

Why it matters

The cull signals Carlton’s commitment to rebuilding its depth and addressing long‑term structural weaknesses, impacting the club’s competitiveness and draft strategy for the coming years.

Key points

• Carlton released 11 players, including Adam Saad and Zac Williams
• The cull is larger than most clubs’ off‑season changes
• Depth concerns stem from earlier high‑profile trades
• Rookie promotions and the 2027 draft will fill many vacancies
• The club may target mature players via free agency or trades
• Leadership remains focused on a long‑term rebuild

Frequently asked questions

Why did Carlton cut so many players?

The club’s leadership identified depth issues and a need to rebuild after a series of high‑profile trades that left the list thin.

Will Carlton still have 45 players on its list?

No, the cull reduces the list to 34 players, and the club will fill vacancies through promotions, the draft and potential trades.

Reporting drawn from

• smh.com.au