Carlton remain confident they will recruit Gold Coast utility Jack Martin after the two clubs were unable to agree on an AFL trade.
The Blues now could recruit him for nothing through the national or pre-season drafts.
“We made a really fair offer to Gold Coast for Jack,” said Blues list manager Michael Agresta said on Thursday.
“Jack is committed to coming to Carlton and we’ll explore our options through the national and pre-season drafts.”
Carlton are seen as significant losers out of the trade period, with the Tom Papley deal also scuppered because the Swans could not prise Joe Daniher from Essendon.
The Suns were determined to involve Carlton’s No.9 draft pick in the Martin deal.
Suns list boss Craig Cameron said they would let the dust settle before deciding where to go next with Martin.
“We need to let 24 hours go by and for all of us to have a think about what we do,” he said after Wednesday night’s trade period deadline.
Cameron was asked if there was any risk in not trading Martin.
“As I said, we have a really strong hand in the next two drafts, so you tell me the risk,” he said.
“I don’t know if it’s that, we’re just telling people that we value players at certain levels and that’s what it is.
“He was keen to go to Carlton. Is he disappointed? Well, you could probably ask two clubs that question.”