Carlton have emerged as a suitor for out-of-contract Sydney Swans defender Nic Newman.
The Blues have made no secret about their need to add mature-aged players to their inexperienced list and the 25-year-old Newman – who has played 31 AFL games since making his debut in 2017 and will turn 26 by the start of the 2019 season – fits that description. He also played a lot of senior VFL and NEAFL footy prior to his AFL debut.
It is understood Carlton have not made contact with the Swans but have told Newman's representatives that they'd be open to him joining the Blues as a delisted free agent when the AFL's delisted player free agency period opens on November 1.
Carlton claim they do not have the draft picks to do a deal with the Swans before Wednesday night's AFL trade period deadline so have floated the delisted free agency signing option.
However, with the Swans missing out on both Darcy Moore and Tom Langdon from Collingwood they're now open to keeping Newman, and have asked the 188cm defender if he would like to stay at the club.
It emerged earlier in the trade period that Newman had been on a tour of North Melbourne and the Swans said they were open to a straight swap with the Kangaroos involving Newman and Ryan Clarke.
Newman could now stay at Sydney or join the Blues. Credit:AAP
Sydney selected Newman from Frankston in the VFL with pick No.35 in the 2015 rookie draft. He debuted early in the 2017 season and went on to play 20 games that year.
Newman struggled early in 2018 but became a regular in the second half of the season, playing every game from round 17 to the Swans' elimination final loss to GWS.
Carlton have had a busy start to the player movement silly season after they secured the services of Alex Fasolo (Collingwood), Will Setterfield (GWS) and Mitch McGovern (Adelaide) in deals done last week.
They also signed former basketballer and promising junior football player Matt Owies as a category B rookie.
Carlton list manager Stephen Silvagni also indicated on Friday that the out-of-contract Levi Casboult has a future at the Blues should he chose to stay.
“It’s looking more likely Levi will remain a Carlton player … we are more than happy to have Levi on our list. Whatever happens it is a win for both the club and Levi," Silvagni told Trade Radio.
The Blues missed out on GWS' Dylan Shiel, who nominated Essendon as his club of choice, while Silvagni has refused to categorically rule out parting ways with the 2018 No.1 draft pick should a worthwhile deal be presented to Carlton.
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