Outgoing Carlton defender Dale Thomas has admitted it’s been tough having to leave the club just as it seems to be turning the corner.
The Blues won six games under new coach David Teague and finished the year strongly, but the club informed Thomas that there wasn’t a spot for him on the list in 2020.
The 32-year-old said he personally wishes he could have been a part of the next phase of the club’s development.
“I was aware at some point it was going to come to an end, it’s unfortunate that I was still playing good enough footy I thought to hold a spot down, but it’s good for the footy club and the direction they’re going,” Thomas told SEN SA Breakfast.
“Selfishly, that was the toughest pill to swallow. I’ve been a part of the heavy lifting to some extent and been the whipping boy for a bit of it as well.
“This time since (David) Teague took over has been the most fun I’ve had in my time at Carlton in terms of the way the place was feeling and going out on game day and being competitive to within a kick or two or winning.
“To no longer be a part of that and what I think is a group that can improve really quickly is a bit disappointing, selfishly it is, but it’s a good spot that they’re in, the club.
“The way my body was feeling, I obviously had a pretty tough run with injuries and I wasn’t at my best, the way my body had been feeling the last couple of years I certainly felt like it was pulling up as well as it had in the five or six years I’d been at the Blues.
“In that regard it was disappointing, but I also understand from the club’s perspective that it was a good position for the club to be in to not renew me if they’re putting their faith in some of the younger kids coming through.
“Hopefully they develop and my spot is to be taken by someone who is younger and is going to play for the club for the next 10 years.”
Thomas says he hasn’t yet been approached by another club, but would love to be a part of another finals run.
“I haven’t had any contact from any AFL clubs, Brodie Holland has hit me to play at Caroline Springs, in terms of that, hopefully the fit I’d entertain the most is a team playing finals and the possibility to go there for a year or two and try and be a part of a premiership,” he said.
“In terms of the Gold Coast, I’d never say never, but I’ve got a young daughter and things like that. I’d certainly entertain all phone calls and all offers.”