Carlton defender Jeremy Laidler wants a new AFL home after managing just one game this season under coach Mick Malthouse.

Laidler is one of eight Blues players who are leaving as the club prepares for a busy trade and draft period.

Carlton also announced on Wednesday they delisted senior players Aaron Joseph, Luke Mitchell, Patrick McCarthy and Marcus Davies.

Joseph played 73 games in five seasons for Carlton and was their best first-year player in 2009.

Rookie-listed players Rhys O’Keefe, Fraser Dale and Andrew Collins are the other players to go.

Collins came to Carlton in the trade that sent Shaun Grigg to Richmond.

After two seasons at Geelong, Laidler joined Carlton and flourished with 19 games in 2011.

But injury restricted him to four matches last year and he did not play senior football this season under Malthouse after round two.

“He expressed that he would like to look for an opportunity at another club and we respect and support his decision to do so,” Carlton football manager Andrew McKay said in a club statement.

The Blues are known to be interested in Collingwood star Dale Thomas, while Blues small forward Eddie Betts is also about to become a free agent and there is plenty of speculation about his future.