Will Setterfield

Rival clubs beginning to circle Carlton’s Will Setterfield amid reported contract limbo: AFL Trade Rumours

The former top-five pick is understood to be attracting interest.

Published by
Harry Playford

Blues onballer Will Setterfield has reportedly been told he will have to wait until the end of the trade period before Carlton make a decision on his future.

Setterfield played only 13 matches in 2022, struggling to break into a star-studded Carlton midfield unit.

However, he played in the final five games after injuries to George Hewett and Matthew Kennedy, collecting a career-high 26 disposals in the Round 22 loss to Collingwood.

Rival clubs are  understood to be interested in the 24-year-old and he may be poached prior to Carlton making a decision, according to SEN reporter Sam Edmund.

This comes as Matthew Owies, Matthew Cottrell, Sam Durdin and Josh Honey were re-signed, while Ed Curnow is rumoured to have followed suit.

The delistings of Liam Stocker and Will Hayes leave Domanic Akuei, David Cuningham, Caleb Marchbank and Setterfield as the only members of Carlton's list without a contract.

Setterfield has endured a difficult run with form and injuries since being drafted by GWS with their second selection and the fifth overall in the 2016 National Draft.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 14: Will Setterfield of the Blues and David Swallow of the Suns compete during the round four AFL match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Carlton Blues at Metricon Stadium on April 14, 2019 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Jono Searle/AFL Photos/Getty Images)

Carlton initially bid on Setterfield with the fifth pick in the draft, only for the Giants to match that bid using his status as an Academy player.

Injuries plagued Setterfield in his junior career but he was nonetheless rated as one of the most complete midfielders in the draft.

An ACL injury sidelined him for the 2018 season and he was subsequently traded to Carlton.

Setterfield has played 57 games over six seasons in the AFL system.

Published by
Harry Playford