DENNIS Armfield is close to finalising a new deal with Carlton that will ensure he extends his career at Ikon Park into a ninth season.

Armfield became an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2015 season and remained uncontracted throughout last month's free agency period. 

But AFL.com.au understands the 28-year-old is set to sign a new short-term contract – most likely for one year – by the time Carlton's senior players return for pre-season training later this month. 

Armfield will provide much-needed experience at Carlton in 2016 as the Blues embark on a youth-based list rebuild. 

The former Swan Districts player is highly respected at Ikon Park for his on-field work ethic and his community work outside the club.

Armfield won this year's Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award for his work as an ambassador for the Odyssey House drug and rehabilitation centre, and as a regular contributor to Carlton’s community programs at the Royal Children's Hospital and Parkville Juvenile Justice Centre. 

After a lean 2014 season, Armfield re-established himself in the Blues' team early in 2015, playing 12 straight games from round three until he suffered a season-ending broken right arm. 

Quick and highly competitive, Armfield has enjoyed success as a tagger, but this year also proved a handy goalkicker with 13 majors at an average of more than one a game.