Carlton added mature-age defender Alex Cincotta to its list on Wednesday prior to the Pre-Season Supplemental Selection Period (SSP) deadline.
The 26-year-old had impressed for the Blues in the VFL in 2022 following stints with Geelong’s VFL side and in the Geelong Football League.
Channels 7’s Mitch Cleary suggests the Blues have opted for Cincotta due to his ability to play off half-back which provides depth after the ACL injury suffered by Zac Williams.
“He’s a 26-year-old so he’s a late bloomer,” Cleary said of Cincotta on SEN’s Sportsday.
“He did his ACL three years ago when he was playing in the Geelong VFL team in the pre-season. Since then has played Carlton VFL. He’s a Geelong local, plied his trade for Newtown & Chilwell at local level, so hasn’t played a stack of VFL footy.
“They like what they saw of him last year at half-back for the Blues and he fills that Zac Williams role, potentially a hole there with Sam Docherty moving into the midfield at times.
“A good chance for a 26-year-old to have his crack at AFL level.”
Cincotta’s form at VFL level last year stood out to Carlton list boss Nick Austin who described his 2022 campaign as “superb”.
He averaged over 20 touches per game and finished second in the VFL best and fairest behind Paddy Dow.
Cincotta wasn’t the only player with VFL ties added to an AFL rookie list on Wednesday.
Former Old Haileybury (VAFA) and Frankston (VFL) defender Kye Turner joined Melbourne after winning the final spot on the Demons’ list.
“The one at Melbourne was Kye Turner,” Cleary added.
“He was picked over Trent Burgoyne, the son of Peter, who had been training with the Demons.
“Kye Turner played a little bit of Frankston VFL but was picked out of the VAFA, the Victorian amateurs competition.
“It’s great this time of year to see these sort of guys getting plucked from VFL and community level to have a crack at an AFL list.”
