CARLTON has warded off growing rival interest to re-sign exciting key forward Levi Casboult for another two years, while emerging midfielder Nick Graham has also recommitted to the Blues to the end of 2016.
Casboult, 24, enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2014, breaking into the Blues' team in round four and playing 19 consecutive games and kicking 15 goals.
The 199cm forward also established himself as one of the strongest pack marks in the competition, finishing the season ranked ninth in the AFL and first at Carlton for contested marks.
Casboult came out of contract at the end of this season and attracted considerable interest from rival clubs, with the Western Bulldogs reportedly leading the chase.
Casboult told AFL.com.au on Thursday that despite his protracted contract negotiations with Carlton he had never considered leaving Visy Park.
"For me it was always just a matter of when the deal got done, not who it was going to be with. It's nice to get that behind me and look forward to pre-season now," Casboult said.
"Carlton had a lot of contracts to get done and mine just took a bit of time – that was all there was to that.
"Carlton is a great environment to learn in, there a lot of senior players around who are good old heads to learn from: 'Juddy' (Chris Judd), 'Murph' (Marc Murphy) and, on the forward line, Jarrad Waite and Lachie Henderson.
"I'm really happy to be able to stay on for another couple of years."
Casboult is also confident he has only begun to scratch the surface of his potential.
"I guess the sky's the limit really," Casboult said.
"I'm still 24, have only played 30-odd games, so I like to think that with every game I'm just going to keep getting better and hopefully help Carlton get to that premiership that we're looking for."
Carlton football manager Andrew McKay said securing Casboult and Graham added to the "terrific mix of young talent" the Blues were assembling on their list.
"Levi has solidified a place in our forward line this year and has noticeably grown in confidence," McKay said.
"Nick has shown great potential and demonstrated his ability to be a ball-winner in the midfield.
"We believe both players will play key roles in our team going forward."
Casboult joined the Blues at the end of 2009 as pick No. 44 in the rookie draft. He took two and a half seasons to break into the Blues' senior team, but has now played 36 games.
Graham, 20, has proved an astute selection for the Blues at pick No. 54 in the 2012 national draft.
After playing two games in his debut season last year, the 2012 Morrish medallist played eight games this season, including six in a row from rounds 17 to 22, and impressed with his classy ball use and football smarts.
In first six games with the Blues, Graham played as the substitute, but the midfielder has been in Carlton's starting 21 in three of his past four games.
