Restricted free-agent George Hewett is set to trade Moore Park for Princes Park in 2022, with The Herald Sun reporting that the midfielder is set to ink a four-year contract with Carlton.
Hewett, 25, compiled 120-games with Sydney after making his debut in Round 1 of 2016, but given the Swans' salary cap squeeze, the SCG-based side are said to be near certainties not to match Carlton's offer.
According to Jon Ralph, the South Australian is expected to earn in the vicinity of $450,000 per season at his new home and will do so while offering the club's incoming coach some much needed grunt in the middle of the park.
Across his 21-appearances in a red and white guernsey in 2021, Hewett amassed averages of 17.9 disposals, 3.4 tackles and 3.4 clearances.
However, these means were raised to 22, five and four after trading the defensive 50 for the engine room from Round 15 until the season's cessation.
Although noted as a clean user of the football, Hewett carved out a role as a shutdown midfielder during the back half of his final season in the harbour city, with serial accumulators Travis Boak, Jack Macrae and Touk Miller listed as his victims by Ralph.
Hewett's signing with the 16-time premiers will likely afford veteran Ed Curnow a chance to play ahead of the ball next season
In addition, should Adam Cerra also make his way to Royal Parade in 2022, speedster Zac Williams is a near certain to make a permanent return to season across half-back.
The North Adelaide product's committal to Carlton has come on the same day that Fox Sports' Tom Morris claimed that Michael Voss has firmed in his chances to become the club's 35th coach.
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Given Voss' playing day penchant for winning the contested ball, if he follows Hewett's lead across a borderline, the former Swan will surely be seen as a favourite from day dot.
As of yet, no official announcement on David Teague's replacement has been made.
