Departed Carlton backman Sam Durdin has landed in the VFL after falling short in his Supplemental Selection Period trial at the Blues, signing with Box Hill for the 2025 season.
Durdin has joined the Hawks after a summer spent at Princes Park, with Carlton offering the veteran stopper the chance to train for a list spot after his initial delisting back in October.
His plans of a third AFL lifeline wouldn't eventuate as the Blues favoured fellow cut Carlton backman Matt Carroll, with Durdin's two-and-a-half-year stint with the club coming to an end.
Durdin played two games under Michael Voss during his time with the Blues, bringing his career tally to 24 appearances after starting with North Melbourne a decade ago.
The 28-year-old left the Kangaroos at the cessation of the 2020 season, returning to South Australia to join Glenelg the same year. After a strong 18 months with the Bays, Durdin was back on the radar of AFL clubs, with Carlton calling his name at the 2022 Mid-Season Draft.
The 199cm defender will return to the state league scene in 2025, with Box Hill to unveil Durdin as their latest star signing a month out from the new campaign. He played just eight games in the VFL for Carlton last year, amassing an average return of 12.8 disposals and 4.9 marks each outing.
Durdin had spent time with VAFA club Old Ivanhoe in the wake of his Blues exit, training with the local club - which has recruited ex-teammate Alex Mirkov - before signing with Box Hill.
The Hawks - who managed another finals finish last year - are firming as premiership contenders again in the VFL in pursuit of a stronger result than 2024's week one finals exit.
The addition of Durdin comes as Box Hill prepare for the new season without Team of the Year squad member and tall defender Ethan Phillips, who has made the antithetical move to Durdin in heading to Carlton's VFL program after he was delisted by Hawthorn.
The Hawks have also managed to bolster their ranks with the additions of ex-Collingwood wingman Trent Bianco, former Demons-listed forward Kye Declase and recently departed Docker Ethan Stanley this off-season, with the latter returning to Middleborough Road.
Details for the 2025 VFL fixture are yet to be finalised, while Box Hill has scheduled pre-season matches against Footscray, Port Melbourne and Essendon to come over the next month.
