Carlton has reportedly stepped up their efforts to receive compensation for former key defender Liam Jones should he return to the AFL via another club.
The 31-year-old retired after failing to meet AFL's vaccination mandate for this season despite one year left on his deal at Ikon Park.
Jones has been plying his trade in the QAFL this year, but with the AFL lifting the league's vaccination requirements for its players, multiple clubs have been linked to his services should he return.
Jones, who played 66 games for the Bulldogs before being traded to Carlton at the end of 2014, has reportedly met with both Essendon and the Bulldogs to discuss his future, withย theย Herald Sunย are also linking Gold Coast to the defender.
The Blues want Jones to be added back to their list in order to be made an unrestricted free agent at season's end, meaning the club can receive compensation should Jones join another club,ย reports theย Herald Sun.
However, current AFL rules state that a contracted player who retires cannot return to play for another side for 18 months.
With Lewis Young in the side, Carlton reportedly has no intention of re-recruiting their former key defender and will not stand in the way of a return via another club.
The 31-year-old's manager Shane Casley told theย Herald Sunย that he expects a resolution of the matter "pretty soon", with all parties in conversation with the league.
Casley said that making Jones an unrestricted free agent "is the aim", adding that they aren't "looking at the other options" for his future.
