Rivals lodge trade queries as Blues read riot act to hospitalised pair
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Carlton is reportedly furious with pair Lachie Cowan and Will Hayward, after both spent time in hospital over the weekend after a night of partying.
Ambulance Victoria has confirmed that advanced life support paramedics responded to an incident on Sunday morning.
Carlton defender Lachie Cowan. Getty
Cowan was taken to hospital and later discharged, while Hayward took a ride-share service to the hospital later on Sunday to have a cut on his head attended to.
The AFL is probing Carlton for information as to what occurred, and the Blues are equally adamant they will get to the bottom of what transpired.
According to SEN's Sam Edmund, the Blues are angry with both and have read the pair the riot act.
He says rival clubs have asked if Cowan is available for trade in the aftermath, but Carlton has shot down that possibility.
“But there has been some very firm feedback from Carlton chiefs to the defender that if he wants to continue down this path he will be out of the club,” Edmund reported.
Cowan had a breakout year for the Blues, playing 24 games and thriving under new coach Josh Fraser.
The defender is out of contract at the end of 2028 and is expected to be a prime target of the Tassie Devils, given he originates from the Apple Isle.
He will likely be in contract discussions with the Blues and Devils in 2027, which could see him earn a significant pay day.
Hayward meanwhile also had an excellent year on the field for Carlton, and was rewarded on best and fairest night with the Best Clubman award.
The 27-year-old made his way to the Blues from Sydney as part of the Charlie Curnow trade.
The Swans themselves have been facing significant cultural shockwaves following the Pullman Five incident in August and the fallout from it.
Will Hayward of Carlton. Getty Images
Carlton’s frustration will stem from the optimism that surrounded the team at the conclusion of the 2026 season under Fraser, following a tumultuous first few months that saw Michael Voss walk away. Separately the club was fined $75,000 for its handling of Elijah Hollands’ public episode in the Collingwood match.
They went on to rise from bottom four to finals, knocking out Melbourne in a Wildcard Round game before Geelong ultimately ended their season the following week.
The Blues have added Hayward's Swans teammate Joel Amartey as a free agent and are hoping to land GWS defender Lachie Whitfield before Wednesday night's trade deadline.
They will then attempt to acquire enough draft capital to bring in father-son prospect Cody Walker, who is expected to be a top three draft selection.
