CARLTON mid-season rookie recruit Josh Deluca is starting to make a new home for himself at Ikon Park.

With two senior games – both of those wins – under his belt, Deluca is relishing his second chance at AFL level after a short stint at Fremantle and a successful WAFL career.

The mature-age midfielder spoke to TAB Radio on Wednesday morning on his journey since arriving at his new club in May.

“It’s pretty surreal. Six months ago, if you told me this was what I was going to be doing I probably wouldn’t have believed you,” Deluca said.

“I’m really loving it and am grateful for the opportunity I’ve got.”

Deluca got his first chance to run out as a Carlton player in the Round 18 victory over Gold Coast, a win that also saw him record his first goal in Navy Blue.

But it was last week’s victory over Adelaide that will stick out in Deluca’s mind, which doubled up as his first game at the traditional home of football.

“That was my first time playing at the ‘G and walking out of the race before the game and having a looking around, it was sort of just overwhelming,” he said.

“I used to go and watch games there when I was a kid and you just really appreciate where you are.

“I guess I’m just really grateful I’m here and I want to make the most of it.”

The four-time WAFL premiership player was eager to understand the structures of the playing group after making the journey to Melbourne midway through the season.

Without a full pre-season with the Blues, Deluca has worked tirelessly to get up to speed while recovering from a pre-existing hamstring injury.

“I’ve made sure I’ve been doing… extra meetings and extra game-plan reviews with some of the coaches,” he said.

“Just going through and sitting in on other players vision and review, and understanding what they might be working on and what the coaches expect from them.”