Carlton have reportedly met with GWS free agent Nick Haynes as the Blues look to strengthen their defensive stocks.
Haynes is an unrestricted free agent in 2024, with a lucrative five-year deal with the Giants coming to an end this year.
The 32-year-old, who is a one-time All-Australian and best and fairest winner, has struggled to cement a role at AFL level this year - playing a career-low seven matches.
The inaugural Giant has managed a number of promising performances under senior coach Adam Kingsley this season and has been dominant in the VFL in 2024, with the standings of Sam Taylor, Jack Buckley, Harrison Himmelberg, Connor Idun and Leek Aleer often keeping Haynes to the state league.
Haynes, a product of the Frankston Bombers, is said to be open to moving back to Victoria this year should a keen suitor emerge.
According toย The Age, the key defender has met with Carlton, who are among the clubs keen on the tall backman,
The Blues' defensive options could utilise another senior stopper down back alongside All-Australian chance Jacob Weitering, who has at times single-handedly held off opposition attacks over the past several seasons since Liam Jones' departure.
Brodie Kemp, Mitch McGovern and Lewis Young - who was signed as Jones' potential replacement - have either struggled to hold senior roles or are better positioned as third-tall options.
A move for Haynes would immediately see the 210-gamer become Carlton's oldest and most experienced player, with the 192cm defender to be 33 in the early stages of next season.
A key lure in any move for Haynes would be that he would come at no draft cost to the Blues, who have and will place great attention on their hand ahead of November's intake given their ties to father-son pairing Ben and Lucas Camporeale - the sons of Carlton premiership player Scott.
Haynes could be signed as early as October 4 when the free agency window opens, which comes three days prior to the commencement of the trade period.
Free agency runs for one week, while the trade period concludes on October 16.
