Goddard trains with Blues as he seeks to revive AFL career

[Glasgow]

ST KILDA discard and 2014 first-round draft pick Hugh Goddard is training with Carlton in the hope of an AFL lifeline.

Goddard, the second cousin of ex-Saints and Essendon champion Brendon Goddard, whose own playing career is in the balance, was in danger of being an unfulfilled talent when he was delisted in late August.

The Blues reportedly met with Goddard's management in July and all signs point towards the 196cm defender receiving a second shot at the highest level.

Goddard, 22, played eight of his 10 career matches in 2015, but he ruptured the Achilles tendon in his left leg a year later to kickstart his injury nightmare, then suffered turf toe in 2017.

The Geelong Falcons product's last match and only game this past season was in round 22 against Hawthorn, when he recorded six disposals and three tackles.

Goddard was dropped for the returning Jake Carlisle the next week and delisted soon after.

St Kilda's decision to recruit fellow key defenders Carlisle, Nathan Brown and Logan Austin in recent years made life even more difficult for Goddard.

He is one of five unlisted players training with Carlton ahead of next week's drafts, along with delisted Blue Jed Lamb and Northern Blues trio Sam Fisher, Jesse Palmer and Mason Blakey.

Lamb, who also played for the Swans and Giants, is training without any guarantee of being redrafted, while Fisher, 20, is an ex-Sydney rookie and Palmer, 22, made three appearances for Port Adelaide in 2016.

Fisher, a speedy midfielder with a neat left boot, averaged 21 disposals (11 contested) and seven tackles.

Palmer, who stands 188cm, led the Northern Blues with 27 goals and was named at centre half-forward in the VFL Team of the Year.

Former Northern Knights captain Blakey, also 20, is a 183cm lockdown defender who enjoyed a breakout season in playing every match for the Blues in the state league in 2018.