CARLTON has re-signed experienced defender Bret Thornton for another two seasons.

Thornton has played 141 games since being elevated to the senior list in 2002 after joining the club through the NAB AFL Rookie Draft.

He was the Blues best first-year player in 2002 and played in Carlton’s 2005 and 2007 pre-season premierships.

Young guns Dennis Armfield and Paul Bower also agreed to extend their current contracts by two years on the weekend.

General manager football operations Steven Icke said the club was delighted the trio was staying at Visy Park.

"They are all important young players, who will play a major role in the long-term future of the Carlton Football Club,” Icke said.

“Bret is now one of our senior players and while still young at just 25 years of age, he is one of the oldest players on the Carlton list.

"He will continue to be a vital part of our defence as we maintain our development and grow as a football team. At 25 and having played over 140 games Bret’s leadership and experience will prove vital for our young defence.

“Dennis and Paul were both recruited to the club from Western Australia. While Paul’s development as an attacking defender has been on show this season, equally impressive for us has been the development of Dennis in his second season in the AFL."

Carlton president Stephen Kernahan also said it was pleasing to have the young West Australian pair recommit to the club, particularly with the draft concessions that are set to restrict recruiting in the coming years.

"They're only babies, these kids, and they're going to be great players for us in the future," he said in his president's lunch address at the MCG on Saturday.

"It's absolutely vitally important, with the Gold Coast coming in 2011 and probably west Sydney in 2012, that we secure our young talent because there's going to be some big figures around over the next few years."

Utility Armfield played his 21st game for Carlton on Saturday after being drafted in 2007, while defender Bower, who was recruited in 2005, has played 37 but missed the clash with Richmond because of a knee injury.