Carlton have poured cold water on speculation linking star West Australian Patrick Cripps with a return to his home state.
Former Port Adelaide premiership player Kane Cornes told Adelaide's radio fiveAA on Wednesday he believed Cripps could be part of a trade involving Fremantle Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe at the end of the season.
But Cripps quashed the rumour on Thursday afternoon, telling Carlton TV he "found it pretty funny".
"I can tell you it's not true," he said. "I signed a contract extension last year, to show that I was really happy with the Blues, and I know as a club we're heading in the right direction ... I'm really excited [with] what the future holds at Carlton."
Carlton chief executive Steven Trigg had already refuted the trade rumour earlier on Thursday - more than eight months before the start of the 2017 AFL trade period.
"To be honest, it's just a furphy," Trigg told SEN radio.
"I know it is an easy thing to say but he is genuinely welded to Carlton, life in Melbourne, and is enjoying it.
"I'm not sure where Kane has dragged that from. We are aiming to keep Patrick, don't worry."
Cripps is seen as a future captain at the club and is contracted until the end of the 2019 season.
The 21-year-old has been slowed by a back injury this pre-season, but the Blues are quietly confident the bullocking midfielder will be ready for the season- opener against Richmond.
"I was looking out the window this morning as he returns to full training and he's motoring really well having had an issue with his back," Trigg said.
"We are confident. I wouldn't bank it yet, but we are confident he plays in round one."
Carlton played hardball during last year's trade period, refusing star onballer Bryce Gibbs' request to be traded back to South Australia to be closer to his family.
Gibbs is also contracted until the end of 2019 and Trigg is confident the 27-year-old won't hand in another trade request at the end of the season.
"The reality is that he honestly hasn't missed a beat ... he's been welcomed back and embraced," Trigg said.
"Internally, it just hasn't been spoken about pretty much since the day he came in.
"He's addressed the fact that (his trade request) wasn't about Carlton - it wasn't about Melbourne. It was about some other issues and we're back on with the job.
"He's in as a good a nick as he's ever been, measurably."
AAP