Carlton have emerged as a suitor for out-of-contract Sydney Swans defender Nic Newman.

The Blues have made no secret about their need to add mature-aged players to their inexperienced list and the 25-year-old Newman - who has played 31 AFL games since making his debut in 2017 and will turn 26 by the start of the 2019 season - fits that description. He also played a lot of senior VFL and NEAFL footy prior to his AFL debut.

It is understood Carlton have not made contact with the Swans but have told Newman's representatives that they'd be open to him joining the Blues as a delisted free agent when the AFL's delisted player free agency period opens on November 1.

Carlton claim they do not have the draft picks to do a deal with the Swans before Wednesday night's AFL trade period deadline so have floated the delisted free agency signing option.