Carlton reportedly won't have Irish recruit Matt Duffy on their playing list for the 2024 season following the teenager's recent ACL injury, with the Blues instead committing to having the category B rookie in their plans for 2025.
Duffy and fellow Irishman Rob Monahan signed with Carlton in August, with the former suffering an unfortunate setback in a game with Gaelic side Dromard prior to his venture down under.
The serious knee injury has left Duffy facing most of next year on the sidelines, with the Blues set to assist in the 19-year-old's rehabilitation while he remains in Ireland.
โWe really feel for Matt who had worked so hard to earn this opportunity, but we have told him we are committed to supporting him right throughout his recovery,โ Carlton football boss Brad Lloyd said at the time.
โMatt had been doing everything possible back home in Ireland to ensure when he officially joined the Club, he would be ready to handle the rigours of an AFL pre-season. It's really unfortunate he will now be sidelined, however he will have all the resources he needs to ensure he makes a full recovery.โ
According toย AFL.com.au,ย Carlton won't have Duffy on their list for 2024 and instead plan to have the start of his contract commence for the following season, while Monahan has signed a two-year deal that takes him until the end of 2025.
Duffy is expected to join the Blues midway through next year ahead of his first pre-season at Princes Park.
The pair of Irish recruits were two of seven fresh faces at the Blues ahead of the new year, with the Blues working through a quieter trade and free agency period following a preliminary final finish in 2023.
Carlton traded for Gold Coast wingman Elijah Hollands in October before signing former Port Adelaide and Essendon forward Orazio Fantasia as a delisted free agent. The Blues would select South Australian Ashton Moir with their only first-round draft selection before acquiring Billy Wilson later into the count and Matt Carroll via the Rookie Draft.
The Blues' third season under coach Michael Voss is set to commence with a trip to Queensland to face Brisbane at the Gabba as part of the Opening Round draw on Friday, March 8.
