COMING off a career-best season, new Blue Blake Acres believes that Carlton will be the right fit for him in 2023 and beyond. 

Averaging 21 disposals, 440 metres gained and four inside 50s this season, it’s Acres' run and carry down the wing that will make him a valuable asset at IKON Park. 

Relieved to get the trade across the line in only the second day of the 2022 Continental Tyres Trade Period, Acres is glad he can now go about his post-season travels - he leaves for the United States tomorrow before a late October return to Melbourne - with a weight off his back. 

“I think it was a really good fit for me and my partner, who is from Victoria,” Acres said. 

“I’m pumped to be on board and I’m stoked it got done really early as well so I don’t have to worry over the next few weeks.” 

Acres noted that he had been having preliminary discussions with Michael Voss and Nick Austin towards the backend of the season, which is where he first began to entertain the move to IKON Park that has now become official.

Sold on the direction his new club is on, Acres was impressed from what he saw from the Carlton group and is determined to make a big impact in a familiar role.

“I had a few conversations with ‘Vossy’ and Nick Austin a few weeks before the end of the season,” he said. 

“I just wanted to see what was out there and if there were any other potential good fits for me and I had some really good chats with Nick about the direction that Carlton is heading.

“I think how they started their season so well – that’s great experience for the group, hopefully I can add to that and take that next step. I don’t think it’s much: their best is clearly good enough.” 

While it wasn't extensive, Acres had some contact with Adam Cerra, who was a former teammate at Fremantle: he noted that he'll be happy to reunite with him soon, while also mentioning conversations 

Acres didn’t have too much contact with ex-teammate Adam Cerra before making his decision, but did note that he will be happy to be reunited with him soon, while also mentioning his conversations with skipper Patrick Cripps - a teammate for Western Australia back in their draft year of 2013 - while weighing up his decision.

With an overseas trip imminent, Acres will link up with his new teammates who are also enjoying the States throughout October. 

“I had a few texts from [Cerra], checking in with him to see how he was going: he said he’d be pumped if I came to Carlton next season,” he said. 

“I had a few conversations with ‘Crippa’ as well and a few of the other guys there. I know a few of them and they’re all good fellas so I’ll be able to fit in straight away.

“A few of them are in the States so I’ll definitely catch up with them there.” 

Not keen to overcomplicate things, Acres said his role will stay very similar to the role he played at the Dockers, playing to the strengths which saw him earn a reputation as one of the in-form wingman of the competition in 2022.

“It will be a very similar role to what I’ve been doing at Fremantle – I don’t have to complicate it too much, just go there and run hard,” he said. 

“I think it started with a really good pre- and off-season last year, I did a lot of work on my fitness and a few other things. 

“I’ll take all the knowledge into the off-season and pre-season – I don’t feel like I’ve got to add a lot to my game, I’ll just bring what I bring and hopefully I can fit that into the group at Carlton.”