Pies strike last-minute pick trade as Vic club confirms signing of ex-Blues midfielder.

A Victorian club has announced it has signed an ex-Carlton midfielder, while two powerhouse clubs have filed a last-minute pick trade.

Jack Carroll has officially joined the Saints as a delisted free agent.

Due to a lack of senior opportunities over his four-year Carlton tenure, the 2020 draftee had been regarded as a possibility to request a trade this off-season.

 

Despite playing a career-best 15 AFL games this year, he was the starting substitute in seven of those outings.

Friday is the final day of the current delisted free agency window, with Tim Membrey (Collingwood) and Jack Martin (Geelong) the others to have joined new clubs thus far.

The 21-year-old Carroll was considered a possibility to return to his home state of Western Australia  with the West Coast Eagles thought to be a possible destination — but he has wound up in Moorabbin.

 

“We’re pleased to welcome Jack to the club,” football boss David Misson said in a statement on Friday.

 

“There was a lot to like in Jack’s performances this season and we believe he can bring an added layer to our midfield mix.

Jack’s got great leg-speed and at only 21 we believe his best footy is still ahead of him.”

 

Carroll said: “I’m very grateful for the opportunity. I can’t wait to meet my new teammates and the rest of the club and get stuck into pre-season.”

 

The West Australian’s best performance of this season came in the early going, recording a season-high 20 disposals and six inside-50s in a Round 1 win over Richmond.

 

Carroll is the latest ex-Blue to be linked with an AFL lifeline, with David Cuningham reported to have undergone a medical with Sydney in hopes of resurrecting his career.

The Saints added former Carlton midfielder Paddy Dow last off-season, with former Blues list manager and current St Kilda list boss Stephen Silvagni the link between the clubs.

 

St Kilda earlier added former Western Bulldogs midfielder Jack Macrae in the trade period.

Pick-trading will reopen on draft night, with clubs able to swap selections all throughout the two-day-long proceedings.

The 2024 national draft will commence on November 20 and conclude on November 21.