Recently delisted Sydney forward Ben Ronke is set to pull on the boots for Carlton's VFL side in 2023.
The Calder Cannons product was cut by the Swans at the end of last season, concluding a six-year stint with the Bloods that amassed 44 games for a return of 39 goals.
Ronke made a name for himself in just his third AFL appearance thanks to a seven-goal haul against Hawthorn at the MCG in Round 8, 2018, with the small forward ending his debut year with 24 goals to his name.
Spots in John Longmire's side soon became harder to come by for Ronke, who would play five games across 2020-2021 before adding eight appearances in his final season with Sydney.
The 25-year-old would be among five Swans players delisted following the club's grand final loss last year, with Ronke now venturing back to Victoria to continue his career.
Carlton are understood to have confirmed the signature of Ronke for the season ahead, perย News Corp'sย Paul Amy.
VFL: an excellent pick-up for Geelong, locking in strong-marking Bailey Van De Heuvel from Footscray Bulldogs. And Carlton has confirmed Ben Ronke will be a VFL Blue this year.
— Paul Amy (@PaulAmy375) January 31, 2023
The addition of Ronke sees the Blues' VFL add further ex-AFL talent for 2023, having added former senior player Luke Parks and axed Collingwood utility Liam McMahon for this year.
The trio will each hold key roles under new reserves coach Luke Power as the Blues look to improve on their 2022 campaign.
After recording 11 wins and 7 losses for the season, the Blues managed to claim an upset win over rivals Collingwood in an elimination final before losing to Brisbane the following week.
The 2023 VFL season is scheduled to commence in the last weekend of March, while the AFL is yet to confirm the fixture.
