Former top-10 pick Denver Grainger-Barras is hoping to revive his AFL career with Carlton after being delisted by Hawthorn at the end of the 2024 season.
The 22-year-old defender, selected with pick No. 6 in the 2020 AFL Draft, may find a lifeline in the AFL via the Supplementary Selection Period (SSP), with the Blues giving him a chance to train with the club should he not be re-drafted in the upcoming November draft.
Grainger-Barras, who played 28 games for the Hawks over four seasons, was a highly-touted prospect when Hawthorn selected him in 2020.
However, despite showing promise, he was unable to break into the senior side for the entirety of the 2024 campaign, making just 16 appearances in the VFL. After being delisted, Grainger-Barras is now eager to seize an opportunity elsewhere.
His manager, Tom Seccull of Hemisphere Management, confirmed to SEN WA Breakfast that Grainger-Barras will train with Carlton in the hope of securing a spot on their list for 2025.
While the young defender is still aiming to be re-drafted, he is excited about the chance to impress at Ikon Park, where the Blues have been looking to bolster their defensive stocks.
"He's not heading home to WA, he'll do a train-on position with Carlton, which he's really excited about," Seccull said.
"He's entered the draft, so he could sort of go anywhere in that regard if selected. Ultimately, that's what he would like to do — get picked up again. But if that doesn't happen, he's ready to earn his place."
While Grainger-Barras' time at Hawthorn did not work out as planned, Seccull is confident that his client can still make it at the top level.
He attributes some of Grainger-Barras' struggles to the club's shifting plans for his development, noting that his skills as a smart intercept defender and his ability to read the play were at odds with Hawthorn's need for a more traditional key defender.
"Absolutely, he can play," Seccull added.
"I think what went wrong at Hawthorn was a combination of developing him in his role. He was an incredible reader of the play, but the club had other plans for him. He came in as that third defender, and they were looking for him to become a key defender who could take on bigger opponents, but his body took time to develop."
Carlton was active in reshaping its defensive line during the recent trade period, bringing in seasoned defender Nick Haynes from GWS to not rely so heavily on All-Australian Jacob Weitering.
With the departure of Caleb Marchbank and uncertainty surrounding Sam Durdin's future, Grainger-Barras could offer depth in a key defensive role, an area where the Blues are looking to improve.
"He's just looking for the right fit now," Seccull explained.
"Not everything works out for every player, but I have no doubt Denver will get another chance."