Carlton have lured All-Australian midfielder Dale Thomas away from Collingwood, confident the AFL free agent has overcome his repeated ankle problems.
The Blues will reunite Thomas with his old Magpies coach Mick Malthouse, with Collingwood unlikely to challenge the offer made to the restricted free agent.
It is understood Thomas will go to Carlton on a four-year deal worth more than $2.5 million.
While the Blues should gain Thomas, they are set to lose fellow restricted free agent Eddie Betts to Adelaide.
Betts is also headed to the Crows on a four-year contract.
Thomas only managed five games this season because of his ankle injuries, but Carlton recruiting manager Shane Rogers said they do not expect any ongoing issues.
“We’re comfortable with what the medical team tell us … we’ll be fine,” Rogers said.
“There’s a risk with every player you draft or trade, (but) not in our view.”
Rogers also said the Blues are resigned to losing Betts.
“We’re tried pretty hard (and) we made a reasonable offer in our view,” Rogers said.
“He’s going to be a loss because he’s a well-loved figure.”
Thomas is the second-biggest name in free agency this year behind Hawthorn star Lance Franklin, who wants to go to Sydney in a monster nine-year, $10 million deal.
There has been widespread criticism of the Swans offer and the AFL are investigating the proposed contract.
But Franklin’s manager Liam Pickering said on Thursday he is confident the AFL will approve the controversial move.
“There’s nothing we’ve done (that is) untoward, apart from probably upsetting the (GWS) Giants,” Pickering told the AFL website.
The free agency period officially opens on Friday and several big deals are expected to be confirmed.
Fremantle and Melbourne also announced on Thursday that Demon Colin Sylvia will join the Dockers.
New Melbourne coach Paul Roos said he is not surprised that Sylvia decided on the move.
“I’ve had some really good discussions with Colin, (he’s) a really good guy,” Roos said.
“He had to do what’s best for himself and this is a tremendous opportunity, going to a club that’s really on the cusp of winning a premiership.
“He’s been there for a number of years and is obviously a little bit frustrated.
“Clearly we wanted to keep him, we made an offer.”
Roos confirmed that the Demons are willing to trade their No.2 draft pick to boost their midfield with experience.
He also said Melbourne would be interested in talking to Collingwood’s Heath Shaw, who is on the trade market.
Unrestricted free agent Paul Chapman and James Podsiadly have played their last games for Geelong and they want to continue their AFL careers.
There appears little doubt that a club will recruit Chapman.
Asked if Carlton might be interested in Podsiadly, Rogers replied: “We’re always interested in good players.”
