Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020
Nick Haynes future plans will wait until the end of the AFL season, with the Carlton Blues defender focused on Saturday night’s clash with Hawthorn Hawks at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The 34-year-old says his body is holding up well as he helps Carlton Blues chase an eighth straight win under interim coach Josh Fraser.
His call comes amid several late-season list stories across the league, including Max King’s return push at St Kilda Saints.
Haynes Enjoying Carlton Rise
Haynes joined Carlton Blues after leaving Greater Western Sydney Giants as an unrestricted free agent at the end of 2024. Since then, he has signed two one-year contracts and become an important part of the backline.
"We'll see at the end of the year, but the body's feeling pretty good - it's felt worse over my career, so that's a plus," Haynes told AAP.
"I'm just enjoying my footy, and we've got a great amount of experience and youth in the team, and I'm really enjoying playing with them.
"The exuberance helps me having fun playing footy again, so yeah, we'll see what happens at the end of the year."
Haynes is four games away from his 250th AFL appearance, after being part of the inaugural Greater Western Sydney Giants season in 2012.
Blues Defence Finds Its System
Carlton Blues have transformed their defensive output under Fraser. After conceding 100 points or more in six of their first nine games under Michael Voss, they have allowed an average of just 67.4 points during their 7-0 run.
The highest score conceded under Fraser is 84 points, in a four-point win over Geelong Cats in round 12.
The backline has also held firm without vice-captain Jacob Weitering for the past four matches. Harry Dean, who missed the win over Richmond Tigers with a cut on his hand, will return against Hawthorn Hawks.
"Over the pre-season, we built a real emphasis on defending as a back-six system, and we really knuckled that down," said Haynes.
"(Assistant coach) Ash Hansen has done a great job with us backs playing the system footy.
"Anyone that comes into the team, if you're a first-year like Deany, or an old player like me, there's a system that we all trust, and we all play.
"The next guy stands up and comes in the team and plays his role."
Official AFL fixtures and match details are available through the Australian Football League.
