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FRINGE Carlton midfielder Nick Graham is yet to be offered a new contract but is hopeful of remaining with the Blues, even if it means a demotion to the club's rookie list.
Graham, 23, has played 38 games in five seasons, including 10 in four stints this year, and has so far been unable to transfer his superb VFL form into consistent performance at AFL level.
The No.54 pick in the 2012 NAB AFL Draft has attracted little interest from rival clubs and believes his best chance of finally establishing himself as a bona fide AFL player is at Ikon Park.
Despite the uncertainty, Graham's manager Matt Bain said he'd had "pretty good discussions" with Carlton's list manager Stephen Silvagni.
"Hopefully there's something there for him in the senior or a rookie position," Bain told NAB AFL Trade Radio on Tuesday.
"At VFL level he's a really, really good player – it's probably taking the next step to AFL footy that's his challenge at the moment.
"But he's exceptional towards the young kids – taking them through vision, taking them out for dinner – (and) he's a really hard trainer too. If he does get another contract, (it will be) rewarding him for that.
"It's hard to watch him at VFL level and dominating so much and not get a game for Carlton with their midfield depth.
"For him it's just got to be head down and work even harder, and hopefully crack in next year."
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