Blues list boss Austin offers trade update on Kennedy, Owies, Houston, Martin and more

Carlton Head of List Management Nick Austin has answered several burning questions facing his club this off-season.

The Blues are chasing selections in the 2024 Draft and are also in the running for Port Adelaide star Dan Houston who wants to return to Victoria.

The club also faces some interesting contract calls with list spots tight ahead of the 2025 season.

Check out some of the answers he offered to the big questions on The Trade Feed.

Will the Blues try to beat the Pies to the Suns’ pick No. 13, which would then be used to target Dan Houston?

“We hope so (to get pick 13 to try and use it in Houston talks),” Austin told AFL Trade Radio.

“It’ll be interesting, they (Collinwood) have got some things in play with John Noble, requesting a trade up to the Gold Coast so they'll have some discussions first.

“We'll put our best foot forward when the time is right. All our future picks are on the table. We've been really clear with that.

“We haven't had the opportunity yet to get in front of the Suns and work workshop it, so to speak, but our future pick is on the table.

“We're open to anything, and we're going to try and strengthen our draft hand in 2024 as best we can.

“He (Houston) is obviously a quality player, but he's also a contracted player, so that's as far as it goes at the moment.

“Until he actually nominates a club, it is what it is.”

Has there been any rival interest in Matt Kennedy, who the Blues have allowed to look around?

“Not as yet.

We've been in regular dialogue (with Matt). Again, it's probably one that we thought was going to take a bit longer.

“Clubs have their priorities, so they'll be working through those steps now that some dominoes are starting to fall.

“But not as yet.”

Is there a chance Carlton offers Matt Owies a contract if he doesn’t find a home this trade period?

“We'll work through where our list is at the end of the trade period.

“You never rule anything out, but we are keen to go to the draft and list spots are extremely tight.

“We're looking at ways in every way we can to move forward and get better.”

What are the chances that Carlton re-sign Tom De Koning and Jacob Weitering before the 2025 season?

“Tom's a really important player to us, he’s had a breakout season, so to speak.

“We really missed him towards the back end of the year. When we were playing our best football in the middle, he was really pivotal.

“We'll sit down with Tom at the right time, and he's very happy at Carlton.

“He's our number one ruckman and we'll work through that with his management.

“Jacob Weitering is another one that’s really close.

“We'll probably work through with getting ‘Weiters’ done first, then we'll turn our attention to Tom … Jacob's the vice-captain, he's come through and he’s been in a lot of different times and experiences at the football club.

“He's super committed and super keen to take us forward and get us to where we're going in a hurry.

“We're really close to finalising that one.”

Why did Carlton delist Jack Martin, allowing him to walk to Geelong?

“We've had obviously ongoing dialogue with Jack's management all season.

“It was one of those ones where Jack played two games of AFL football for us this year.

“He's had his injury struggles, and it was one of those ones where we sat down together, and it was just beneficial for both to move on.

“Jack's going to get an opportunity at Geelong, and we wish him all the best.

“He's had five years at Carlton, and he's given everything, and we've tried a lot of different ways to get him going, and it just hasn't worked.

“I think it was amicable that we both move on now and let everyone get on with it.”