Having plucked Nick Duigan as a mature-aged smokey from the SANFL last season, the Blues have done it again with the selection of 24-year-old Norwood key forward Sam Rowe with the second of their two 'live' picks at Thursday's AFL national draft.
And, like Duigan, the Blues expect Rowe, a strapping 198cm and 94kg, to make an immediate impact at AFL level.
"He's a bit of a smokey," said Carlton recruiting manager Wayne Hughes of the No.44 selection.
"We've liked him for a little while and decided to give him a go."
"He plays the big key forward role well, he's big and strong and he comes crashing in and hopefully he can either mark the ball or bring the ball to ground for our smaller guys."
"He's probably got a body that could play pretty much straight away."
Hughes expects Rowe, who will be forced to put his career as a carpenter on hold, to give several of his new teammates some breathing space in terms of development.
"What it does is give (Luke) Mitchell and Matthew Watson and Matty McCarthy our other key position youngsters plenty of time to make their way into the team," he said.
"We think he will add to our depth."
"He was playing in the same team as Nick Duigan a year ago and they're pretty good mates."
Hughes believes the Blues have made a sound long-term investment in their first selection, 18-year-old South Fremantle defender Josh Bootsma, who was taken at No.22.
"He brings speed, good kick, good decision-maker, quality young fellow," said Hughes of Bootsma whose father Brad played 23 games for Fremantle in 2000-01.
"He's only scratched the surface with his footy," said Hughes.
"He's only been in Perth playing footy since June from Albany and we're pretty excited to pick him."
"There was a couple of boys we had in mind for that pick and he's the one we rated highest at that stage."