A Victorian powerhouse is reportedly pursuing “every good Irish athlete” as part of a colossal recruiting effort that is set to cost up to $500,000.
Meanwhile, St Kilda and its 2022 top-10 pick aren’t in any rush to come together on a new deal.
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Which team has most at stake in round 6? | 11:10
BLUES’ BIG-MONEY BONANZA ABROAD
According to Nine reporter Tom Morris, the Blues are employing a recruiting strategy to “get ahead” of the other 17 clubs.
“This is a really bold play from Carlton to dominate Ireland and, more specifically, make sure that every good Irish athlete who wants to play footy goes to Carlton,” Morris said.
“As we speak, (national recruiting manager) Mick Agresta, (list manager) Nick Austin and (football director) Greg ‘Diesel’ Williams are arriving in Dublin, where they’ll spend a week and they’ll scour the country for the best talent to bring back to Australia.”
The targeted approach isn’t set to come cheap, with Carlton seemingly keen to gain an upper hand on the rest of the competition.
“This is costing almost half a million dollars a year, all up, including their academy, and they’ll have a full schedule,” Morris continued.
“But what it is, is a ploy for them to get ahead of every other club. Most other clubs go in July and August — Carlton are there in May. They’re trying to dominate Ireland.”
‘I think the Pies are gettable’ | 01:11
Asked if any such Irish recruit could play immediately upon arriving on Australian shores, Morris mapped it out.
“He can (play straight away). A Category B rookie can play any time — also outside the salary cap — so we’ll see what they come back with, but certainly they’re being extremely ambitious in their plans.”
As recently as last August, Carlton signed Irish pair Rob Monahan and Matt Duffy as international rookies.
In addition to luring now-274-gamer Zach Tuohy to Australian Rules, the Blues have nabbed the Irish likes of Setanta O’hAilpin, Ciarán Sheehan and Ciarán Byrne over past years.
Bring your mouthguards: Hawks PUNISHED | 00:50
SAINTS IN ‘NO RUSH’ RE-SIGN TOP 10 PICK
Despite being the only remaining top 10 pick from the 2022 draft yet to re-sign with his club, St Kilda isn’t in any hurry to extend Mattaes Phillipou’s contract.
“Yeah, look, I think we’ve said the last couple of weeks that we’re pretty comfortable with where it’s at,” Saints executive GM of football David Misson told SEN on Thursday.
“(They’re) ongoing conversations. I can’t give you a scoop here tonight, but, yeah, we’re comfortable with the conversations and where they’re at.
“Him and us, we’re not in any rush, really. We feel that he’s a player that’s obviously really important to us — hopefully it’ll get done when both parties are ready.”
The 19-year-old is without a contract for next season, despite having played all 24 games in his rookie season last year and every game thus far in ‘24.
Phillipou averaged 12.7 disposals and kicked 13 goals last season after being picked 10th overall by the Saints in ‘22.
