HAWTHORN ruckman Marc Pittonet has requested a trade to Carlton.
With a deal to be struck between both sides in coming days, the 23-year-old will accept a two-year contract and move to No.2 in the Blues' ruck division behind Matthew Kreuzer.
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The Hawks had been confident in re-signing Pittonet as recently last week before he decided to chase greater opportunity after just seven games in five seasons at Waverley Park.
With veteran Ben McEvoy re-signed for 2020 and Jon Ceglar committing at the Hawks until the end of 2022, Pittonet was set to be in a fight for game time next year.
Carlton list chief Stephen Silvagni said the Blues had started negotiations with the Hawks on Monday.
"Right at the minute we're in discussions with Hawthorn," Silvagni said.
"He's indicated that he'd like to come to our footy club, so we're hopeful we can get that deal done as well."
Hawks football boss Graham Wright told Telstra AFL Trade Radio last week Pittonet was still firmly in the club's considerations with McEvoy a chance to spend time in defence.
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"From a development point of view, we've put a lot of time and effort into him, so we're really hopeful that he accepts our offer and stays here and fights for the No.1 ruck role," Wright said.
"Your view might be that he is down the pecking order, but from ours, he's someone whose consistency has really improved in the last couple of years, he's 23, right in that window for young ruckmen.
"We played Ben McEvoy back at the end of the year. As far as I understand from our coach, he's pretty keen to keep going with that, which would leave Jon Ceglar in the No.1 ruck role right at the moment.
"In all these situations, whether you're No.1 or 2, it depends on how you perform. I certainly think Pittonet can have a big pre-season and we certainly think he can be (our No.1) in time."
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Current Blues back-up Andrew Phillips has only been offered a one-year deal to stay at Ikon Park and looks increasingly like to accept a deal at Essendon after meeting the Bombers a fortnight ago.
"Andrew (Phillips) was a required player," Silvagni said.
"But he chose to search the market place, so right at the minute our efforts are in trying to get Marc Pittonet to our football club."
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