Rival clubs are said to be ramping up their interest in a pair of Carlton forwards as they reach the home stretch of the without deals for 2025.

Blue Matt Owies' value has only risen across the course of his contract year at Princes Park, with the former junior Australian basketball representative sitting only behind Coleman Medal winners Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay for goals at Carlton this year.

Owies has booted 21 goals from his 15 games in 2024, going without a major in just three of his matches to be a consistent presence under Michael Voss in attack.

Clubs keen to add to their small or medium-sized forward stocks have struggled to secure signatures of the top line players on offer this year, with Sydney's Will Hayward and Geelong's Tyson Stengle both turning their backs on free agency to recommit to their respective sides.

Carlton, among the clubs tied to Hayward earlier this season, could now feel the brunt of the shift on the open market, with Owies set to be in the sights of rival clubs.

"He's going to be a massive target for clubs,"ย AFL.com.au'sย Riley Beveridge toldย Gettable.ย 

"I believe the interest in Matt Owies is now red-hot from around the competition.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 29: Elijah Hollands of the Blues celebrates a goal with teammate Matthew Owies during the 2024 AFL Round 03 match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Carlton Blues at Marvel Stadium on March 29, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

"Tyson Stengle has re-signed with the Cats for another five years, clubs who are after a small forward who were in the Stengle market have now moved their attention to Matt Owies as someone who is potentially gettable at the end of the year.

"He's the third-highest goalkicker at the Blues behind Harry McKay and Charlie Curnow."

Owies isn't alone in being viewed as a trade target for rival sides, with midfield-forward Jack Carroll also currently without a deal beyond this year.

Carroll, who has played 11 games this year at AFL level - his last coming in Round 13, has struggled to cement his role in Voss' side, featuring as the tactical sub or being subbed out of a match on seven occasions in 2024.

With his place on the periphery of selection and his future unsettled, Carroll is anticipated to earn external interest, with West Coast potentially planning to lure the Western Australian back home.

"Jack Carroll is out of contract at the Blues," reporter Cal Twomey said of the 21-year-old.

"I think there is clubs looking at him, including West Coast."

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 30: Debutant, Jack Carroll of the Blues in action during the 2022 AFL Round 07 match between the Carlton Blues and the North Melbourne Kangaroos at Marvel Stadium on April 30, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Both Carroll and Owies are joined by senior figures David Cuningham,ย Sam Durdin,ย Caleb Marchbank and Jack Martin, among others, in still being off-contract at Carlton this year.

The Blues have managed to secure new deals for Blake Acresย (2027),ย Jordan Boydย (2026),ย Alex Cincottaย (2025),ย Corey Durdin (2026) and Lachie Fogarty (2026) already in 2024.