Victorian powerhouse joins SA club in eyeing delisted Collingwood defender: AFL trade news

Carlton has shown interest in delisted Collingwood defender Wil Parker, joining Port Adelaide as clubs who could hand the cricket convert an AFL lifeline.

The Pies confirmed Parker's departure earlier this month after 14 games since he joined the club as a Category B Rookie ahead of the 2024 season.

The Power has been tracking the 24-year-old for a number of years, and could look at bringing him to Alberton as a low-cost delisted free agent.

According to AFL Media, the Blues are looking at doing the same thing.

Carlton is looking at lockdown small defenders, having bypassed veterans Adam Saad and Zac Williams in selection for the majority of the year, with the latter likely to depart Ikon Park.

Josh Fraser has used Oliver Florent, Oliver Hollands, Billy Wilson, Lachlan Cowan and Adam Cerra in the role, but requires more depth in the position.

Parker was eligible for the 2020 National Draft as a promising dual-code athlete, having represented Talent League club Eastern Ranges on 18 occasions in the two years before his draft year.

The Croydon product instead took the cricket path and went on to make his first-class debut with Victoria during the 2019-2020 Sheffield Shield season.

Parker has four first-class Tests to his name, taking six wickets at an average of 32.00, to go with nine T20 appearances with the Hobart Hurricanes. His last notable appearance at the first-class level came against Pakistan when representing Victoria in a warm-up match for the tourists in 2024.

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