Brendon Goddard just one possibility to replace the injured Sam Docherty at Carlton

Mick Stirling

Brendon Goddard just one possibility to replace the injured Sam Docherty at Carlton image

The devastating news for Carlton that co-captain Sam Docherty could again miss an entire AFL season with a major knee injury could open a door for the recently retired Brendon Goddard to get back into the game.

Docherty went down in an innocuous incident at training, rupturing the ACL on the same knee that kept him out of the 2018 season.

A new rule brought in by the league recently allows a club to add rookies up until March, and the Blues have kept a spot available with the intention of bringing in a mature-age player.

MORE: Carlton Blues' full 2019 preview including list changes, all players, fixture and odds

Former St Kilda and North Melbourne champion Nick Dal Santo thinks Goddard would be the perfect fit.

“I think it makes sense,” Dal Santo told SEN Breakfast on Tuesday morning.

“You think of the style that Docherty plays and you think of the style that Goddard plays, I’m thinking more ball-in-hand, skilful and makes good decisions.

“The question with Goddard will be brought up about speed and whether the game is too fast for him, but I think his name needs to be raised or looked at from a Carlton perspective.”

Goddard was keen to find a club to continue his career after being told by Essendon in August they would not renew his contract, but after being overlooked through the trade and draft periods the 33-year-old announced his retirement after 334 games at the Bombers and Saints.

“Stephen Silvagni was at St Kilda as an assistant coach for at least three years under Ross Lyon and would have worked closely with Brendon Goddard as a defender, so he knows him very well,” Dal Santo said.

“I think his name needs to be raised."

Former Geelong star Jimmy Bartel agreed Goddard would be an option, but that Carlton would have addressed the damage done by Docherty missing 2018 during the recent trade period.

“I think they might think they’ve already got a bit of cover, with (Tom) Williamson and (Nic) Newman,” Bartel said on the RSN Breakfast Club broadcast.

“Going and getting Newman would have had a little bit of a thought that, well, Docherty will take a little while to get into the season anyway.

“No doubt there will be a conversation being had.”


 

The Blues also added former Melbourne defender Tomas Bugg as a rookie, but they may well seek further coverage after Docherty’s misfortune.

Delisted Collingwood rookie Adam Oxley has shown an ability to play exciting football when given the chance and provides good rebound and pace out of defence.

Alternatively Carlton could turn to the bigger but versatile Cam Pederson, delisted by the Demons but still with plenty to offer.

There may even be a chance retired Blue Alex Silvagni could come back through the door for a family reunion with Stephen, Jack and the newly-drafted Ben. After all, you can never have enough Sivagnis at Carlton.

Mick Stirling