Lochie O’Brien will be at Carlton in 2021, list boss Nick Austin has confirmed.
Multiple reports have circulated in recent days which linked the 21-year-old to a move with Collingwood ahead of the Trade Period deadline.
But speaking on AFL Trade Radio on Thursday afternoon, Austin has categorically ruled out the club trading the former top-10 draft pick.
“There’s a lot of speculation that goes along during this period and this is one of those,” he said.
“I can categorically say that Lochie O’Brien will be a Carlton player in 2021 and we’re really excited for him to a have a big pre-season.
“I know Lochie would have wanted to play more senior footy this year, but hopefully he can have a big pre-season and work his way back into calculations.
“I think it’s a great thing for our footy club that we have depth in some key roles in the square and inside.
“Lochie will be a Carlton player in 2021.”
O’Brien, who is contracted until the end of next season, played just one game for the club in 2020.