Club/Recruited from: Northern Knights
Position: Defender
Height: 194cm
Weight: 76kg
DOB: 12 May 2002

CARLTON has welcomed Domanic Akuei as a Category B rookie for the 2022 season. 

The versatile Northern Knights utility arrives at IKON Park as the Club’s first recruit from the Carlton Academy.

Tied to the Blues through the Next Generation Academy provisions, Akuei is of Sudanese heritage and moved to Australia at a young age.

A defender first and foremost, Akuei is also capable of pinch-hitting in the ruck, using his vertical leap to his advantage. 

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Highlights | Domanic Akuei in action

Enjoy some of the best the highlights of Domanic Akuei, a product of the Northern Knights and Carlton Academy.

It is that vertical leap which benefits Akuei’s intercept game significantly, as he demonstrated with the Knights in the early stages of the truncated 2021 NAB League season. 

Announced as a member of the Vic Metro squad (games did not go ahead due to the pandemic), Akuei has spent time at IKON Park in the past six months as a member of the relaunched Carlton Academy. 

Now officially calling Royal Parade home, the 19-year-old will aim to prove his wares over the pre-season in the back line after a journey which has already fulfilled a dream.

Head of List Management Nick Austin said the acquisition was an endorsement for the Carlton Academy, the Northern Knights and Akuei himself. 

Domanic Akuei in his new colours. (Photo: Carlton Media)

“To be able to officially welcome Dom to our ranks is a significant moment for our football club, as our first recruit coming from our Next Generation Academy,” Austin said.

“Dom is someone who has come on in leaps and bounds with his work rate and development, and he’s obviously someone we’ve been keeping our eye on for a while. He’s got great judgment in the air, he reads the play well and he can play multiple roles, particularly down back but also in the ruck if the situation presents.

“We’re delighted that we can give Dom the opportunity at our football club and to bring him in as a Category B rookie is a great result for us.

“It’s a credit to him. It’s also important to highlight Torin Baker and the work of him and everyone involved with the Carlton Academy, as well as the Northern Knights who have had a big say on Dom’s development as a footballer.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming Dom into the Club and having him get right into the swing of things for pre-season.”