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JARRAD Waite has walked out on Carlton and looks set to join North Melbourne as a free agent.
Waite informed Carlton on Monday morning that he was leaving the club to exercise his free agency rights, but did not specify which club he would be joining.
However, AFL.com.au understands Waite is likely to join North, who have been courting the Blues spearhead since meeting with him in July.
The Blues are believed to have offered Waite a new one-year deal with a trigger clause for an additional season but that was not enough to convince him to stay.
Given Waite is an unrestricted free agent, the Blues could not keep him by matching a rival offer.
Waite kicked 252 goals in 184 games for the Blues and finished third in Carlton's 2007 best and fairest award.
The 31-year-old is the son of two-time Carlton premiership player Vin and joined the Blues as a father-son selection in the 2001 NAB AFL Draft at pick No. 46.
A strong contested mark, Waite would give North another tall target in attack, with competition for places in the Roos' forward line set to be a lot tougher.
Given Drew Petrie remains a lock at full-forward for North and Ben Brown looks set to cement himself as a senior player in 2015, Waite's likely arrival would put the pressure on Aaron Black to overcome the injury and form problems that limited his output this season.
Carlton football manager Andrew McKay said it would be sad to see Waite leave Visy Park after 13 seasons.
"We had always been hopeful that Jarrad would stay at Carlton, particularly given his strong family connection to the club," McKay said.
"However, free agency does give players the chance to explore their options, and while we believe we put a very good deal in front of Jarrad and his management, the offer has been declined.
"I would like to thank Jarrad for his service to Carlton over 13 years. He made a valued contribution to the Carlton Football Club."
