Western Bulldogs spearhead Liam Jones remains set on joining Carlton despite reports the Blues are making Giants youngster Kristian Jaksch their No. 1 key-position target.
Jones, 23, told the Bulldogs late last month that he wished to explore potential trades after six seasons at the Whitten Oval.
Several days later, Jones' manager, Shane Casley of Elite Sports Properties, announced that Carlton was his client's preferred new home, with North Melbourne and Port Adelaide understood to have also shown some interest in the key forward.
Jones shapes as a good fit at Carlton after the Blues lost spearhead Jarrad Waite to North on the first day of the free agency period last Friday.
Jones, 23, told the Bulldogs late last month that he wished to explore potential trades after six seasons at the Whitten Oval.
Several days later, Jones' manager, Shane Casley of Elite Sports Properties, announced that Carlton was his client's preferred new home, with North Melbourne and Port Adelaide understood to have also shown some interest in the key forward.
Jones shapes as a good fit at Carlton after the Blues lost spearhead Jarrad Waite to North on the first day of the free agency period last Friday.
However, reports on Wednesday suggested Jones was the Blues' second priority key-position signing behind Jaksch, 20, who is leaving the Giants after two seasons to return home to Victoria.
Despite the slow start to this year's trade period that had seen just one trade completed by 1pm on Thursday, Casley told AFL.com.au he was confident Jones would get to Visy Park and did not feel the need to explore fall-back options.
"We're fully focused on getting to the Blues. That's the club we've had dialogue with and where we want to get to," Casley said.
"In talking to the Blues today, obviously they're talking to Jaksch, but Jones is very much a part of their plans and a priority.
"So I think you'll find that deal will get done in due course.
"But at the end of the day, Liam has left the Bulldogs and there's no turning back."
It is understood that any trade between the Blues and Bulldogs for Jones will most likely involve a draft pick rather than a Carlton player, with Carlton's third-round pick, No. 46, likely to come into play.
The Blues have also signalled their interest in drafting Jones' Bulldogs teammate Jason Tutt, who could be packaged into a trade.
Bulldogs veteran Adam Cooney has also been linked to the Blues as part of the proposed Jones trade, but it is believed the Blues' interest in the 29-year-old is only lukewarm.
Jones kicked 12 goals in 10 games for the Bulldogs this season, but after being dropped following round 15 spent the rest of the year in the VFL.
The Tasmanian kicked 68 goals in 66 games with the Bulldogs after being selected at pick No. 32 in the 2008 NAB AFL Draft.
