Bulldog Jones wants to get the Blues
Liam Jones tells the Bulldogs he wants a trade to Carlton
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OUT-OF-CONTRACT Western Bulldogs key forward Liam Jones has requested a trade to Carlton.
The 23-year-old played just 10 AFL games in 2014, although his season ended on a high when he booted five goals in the Dogs' VFL Grand Final win over the Box Hill Hawks.
Now he has set his sights on the joining the Blues, who are in the market for a big forward after the departure of free agent Jarrad Waite.
"We've met with Carlton," Jones' manager, Shane Casley, told SEN radio on Tuesday morning.
"There are several clubs that we've spoken to, but I think Carlton seems to be the best fit for Liam.
"It's certainly the club that we've nominated, and we'd like to get there, but until a deal's done it's never done, is it?"
Whether the Bulldogs will be prepared to part with Jones remains to be seen.
"We've had several meetings with the Bulldogs over the last couple of weeks," Casley said.
"Obviously we had to wait until Footscray were out of the VFL finals series.
"It's fair to say that Liam's been a bit frustrated this year with the lack of opportunities in the last couple of months.
"At the end of the day, like most guys, he just wants to play senior AFL football."
Jones, who stands at 198cm, was drafted by the Bulldogs with pick 32 in the 2008 NAB AFL Draft.
He made his debut in 2010 but has played just 64 games in five seasons, kicking 68 goals.
"Liam came in as a 17-year-old, a boy from Tassie, and he was still at Scotch College when he was drafted," Casley said.
"So he's certainly been a long time in the system.
"But … sometimes you just need a fresh break and a change, and I think that's where Liam's got to at the moment.
"He's had his struggles at the Bulldogs. He's been that lone forward at times.
"If he gets to a club where there's the opportunity to play as that second tall forward, I think you could see his career blossom."