Carlton has lodged free-agency paperwork for Sydney spearhead Joel Amartey, with AFL.com.au confirming the unrestricted free agent’s move to the Blues on the opening morning of the 2026 player movement window.
According to AFL.com.au, Amartey’s switch from the Swans to Carlton “has been confirmed”. AFL journalist Callum Twomey reported on X that Carlton lodged the first free-agency paperwork of the period for the 27-year-old, with Sydney to be advised later on Friday of its compensation pick.
How the move landed
Amartey had already publicly nominated the Blues as an unrestricted free agent. Carlton Media said he confirmed his intention to join the club, while the Sydney Swans stated they had been informed he would exercise his free-agency rights to head to Ikon Park.
AFL.com.au listed Amartey’s Swans career as 76 games and 114 goals. The confirmation piece said his arrival boosts Carlton’s attack after an elimination-final campaign under Josh Fraser, noting Brodie Kemp led the Blues’ goalkicking this year with 39 majors ahead of Harry McKay (35) and Mitch McGovern (34).
What happens next
Fox Sports reported the Blues’ paperwork as the first Day 1 lodgement and framed Amartey’s deal as a five-year contract worth up to about $750,000 a season — figures not yet repeated in AFL.com.au’s confirmation note, so treat the dollars as attributed reporting only. The Swans previously hoped for a band-two (end of first round) compensation selection when Amartey left; the AFL is expected to confirm the pick later Friday.
The signing follows earlier reporting that Carlton had tabled a multi-year offer for the key forward — covered by TSB when the Blues first tabled a five-year pitch. Other expected Friday lodgements (Toby Greene to Geelong, Lachie Neale to Collingwood, Kieren Briggs to Richmond) had not been confirmed as lodged at the time of writing.
TSB will update when the AFL announces Sydney’s free-agency compensation, or if Carlton or the Swans release further statements.
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