IN-FORM defender Zach Tuohy has opened discussionswith Carlton on a new deal.
Tuohy is part of a large contingent of Blues set to come out of contract at the end of this season and there has been growing industry speculation opposition clubs were starting to circle the Irishman.
But AFL.com.au understands the 26-year-old is solely focused on continuing his career with the Blues beyond 2016, with talks between the parties ongoing.
Other out-of-contract Blues include Levi Casboult, Andrejs Everitt, Matthew Wright and free agents Kade Simpson and Dennis Armfield.
Key defender Sam Rowe was also due to come of contract but it's understood he has satisfied a trigger clause that will seen him play on at Ikon Park in 2017.
Blaine Boekhorst is the only one of Carlton's 2014 national draft picks to be signed beyond 2016, having extended his initial two-year deal to the end of 2017 earlier this season. The futures of fellow 2014 draftees Dillon Viojo-Rainbow, Clem Smith and Jayden Foster remain up in the air.
Like many clubs this year, Carlton has an unusually large number of uncontracted players this late in the season as it prepares to continue the list rebuild that started in earnest at the end of 2015.
Who's on the move? Nick Bowen tracks 2016's free agents
The Blues are understood to be in talks with Simpson, Casboult and Wright on new deals, while Armfield has been assured he is part of the Blues' future plans.
Tuohy enjoyed a career-best season in 2015 that saw him named on a back pocket in the AFL Coaches' Association team of the year and finish third in Carlton's best and fairest award.
The Irishman has enjoyed another strong season this year.
Averaging a career-high 20 possessions a game after 2016's first 20 rounds, he is ranked third at Carlton for rebound 50s (73) and fifth for inside 50s (56).
He has been particularly impressive in recent rounds, racking up a career-high 35 possessions against Hawthorn in round 19 and starring with 25 disposals and three goals in last week's loss to St Kilda.
Tuohy was recruited from Count Laois as an international rookie at the end of 2009 and made his AFL debut against Port Adelaide in round 11, 2011.
He has not missed a game since round one, 2013, and his run of 87 consecutive games is the longest active streak at Carlton and fourth in the AFL behind Sam Gibson (104), Nathan Jones (94) and Dane Rampe (90).
Blues out of contract in 2016
Dennis Armfield, free agent, 29
Dylan Buckley, 23
Levi Casboult, 26
Matthew Dick, 21
Andrejs Everitt, 27
Jayden Foster, 21
Andrew Gallucci, rookie, 22
Billy Gowers, rookie, 20
Nick Graham, 22
Ciaran Sheehan, rookie, 25
Kade Simpson, free agent, 32
Clem Smith, 20
Zac Tuohy, 26
Jason Tutt, 25
Dillon Viojo-Rainbow, 20
Mark Whiley, 23
Cameron Wood, rookie, 29
Matthew Wright, 26
