Carlton recruit Matt Duffy has sustained an ACL tear during a recent Gaelic match and will undergo surgery on his hampered knee, with a move to Australia now delayed for next year.
Duffy was one of two rookie signings out of Ireland that Carlton announced in August, with the Longford youngster and Kerry's Rob Monahan joining the Blues as category B signings.
The duo were set to land at Princes Park from Ireland ahead of pre-season training, which is set to commence this month for the club's younger players.
While Monahan is still set to link up with his new teammates, Duffy has suffered a torn ACL during a recent appearance for Gaelic side Dromard and won't be joining the club before the new year.
Duffy had the Blues' blessing to play for Dromard despite his recent signing with Carlton and expected pre-season start date.
The injured Irishman is still expected to join the Blues in 2024, however will require an extensive rehabilitation process that could rule him out of any action in his first year in the AFL system.
“We really feel for Matt who had worked so hard to earn this opportunity, but we have told him we are committed to supporting him right throughout his recovery,” General Manager of Football Brad Lloyd said in a club statement.
“Matt had been doing everything possible back home in Ireland to ensure when he officially joined the Club, he would be ready to handle the rigours of an AFL pre-season. It's really unfortunate he will now be sidelined, however he will have all the resources he needs to ensure he makes a full recovery.”
The pair of Irish recruits were expected to add to Michael Voss' midfield group for the 2024 season, while Monahan is also viewed as a potential forward.
The international duo are the only recruits Carlton have signed outside of Suns youngster Elijah Hollands ahead of the National Draft.
Carlton isn't the only club set to call on Irish talent ahead of the 2024 season, with Adelaide inviting Gaelic star Karl Gallagher to train at West Lakes as early as this month.
Gallagher will undergo a three-week training program with the Crows in the hope of securing an available category B rookie list spot.
AFL clubs will also have access to Irish quartet James McLaughlin, Eoin McElholm, Odhran Murdock and Conor Corbett, who each took part in the recent AFL Draft Combine.