Blues lock in Jacob for four more years

CARLTON defender Jacob Weitering has signed a four-year extension through to 2025, as the Blues moved to secure another elite talent for the longterm future.

The Blues announced on Thursday that they had locked away Weitering, who is in the frame for his first AllAustralian jumper.

The Blues are close to extending deals with forward Levi Casboult and veteran Marc Murphy, but will have to decide on the futures of Eddie Betts, Kade Simpson and Matthew Kreuzer.

Betts’ manager Garry Winter said last week his client was keen to play on after thriving at Carlton in his return after a long stint at Adelaide.

Lachie Plowman and Caleb Marchbank, who returned in a scratch match on Sunday from a long-running knee issue, are other players who will secure contract extensions this year.

Clubs are aware the salary cap could shrink next year, and clauses could be inserted in some contracts to reflect the vagaries of the cap.

But No.1 draft pick Weitering’s deal not only goes through the uncertainty of next year’s salary cap, but the CBA negotiations for a new pay deal from 2023 onwards.

He has formed an excellent combination with reborn fullback Liam Jones in recent seasons after some shaky form.

Weitering has been one of the league’s best lock-down defenders this year.

“I want to do everything I possibly can to help this football club achieve success,” Weitering said. “My decision to sign on was based on the fact that in the next five years we want to achieve something special together as a group.

“It is time for us to earn success and perform to the level we know we are capable of and I have full confidence that with the players and people we have at this football club, we will do that.”

The club will also attempt to sign cocaptain Patrick Cripps to another longterm deal over the summer.

Cripps said he was committed to staying despite speculation he might return to play for a West Australian club.