George Hewett says Carlton’s talented list is what drew him to join the Blues on a four-year deal.
The midfielder joined Carlton after Sydney decided not to match their offer, which will see the Swans receive an end-of-second-round pick (currently No.39) as compensation.
Speaking on SEN Dwayne’s World, Dwayne Russell asked: “Can you talk us through your decision and why you wanted to do this?”
“The main reason was Carlton’s list,” Hewett replied.
“I know it’s such a talented list … especially in their spine with Harry McKay, Jacob Weitering, then you’ve got (Patrick) Cripps and Walshy (Sam Walsh).
“I just can’t wait to be training at Carlton and playing for them next year.”
Hewett said Carlton reached out to him in the back-half of the season enquiring about his services to play for 2022.
“I just got a phone call from Carlton later on in the year and then we had a meeting, I felt like it was very welcoming, I was absolutely pumped that I got to have a meeting with them and then it all just sort of fell into place,” he said.
“I’ve got strong belief in the playing group that it just looked like such a good squad and then obviously it’s a real bonus that (Michael) Voss is the head coach, I guess what was going on didn’t really affect me at all because I just had such strong belief in the playing group.
“It’s obviously a good reward (four-year contract) and it’s nice to know that Carlton have belief in me, (I) feel pretty secure.”
Hewett was the third completed deal after the free agency period opened Friday morning, joining Mabior Chol (Gold Coast) and Jake Kelly (Essendon) in finding new homes.