JOINING a host of teammates in recent weeks, it now takes the tally to 16 players who have committed to remain with the VFL Blues for next season. 

A familiar face at IKON Park is the 21-year-old in Archie Stevens, who made 11 appearances in 2024. 

Spending time between the midfield and forward line, Stevens averaged 19.6 disposals and almost four tackles.  

Highly regarded internally for the role he plays for his team, Stevens is often tasked with using his defensive pressure to keep his opposition accountable. 

His best game for the year came in the Blues’ Round 17 clash with Collingwood, where he finished the day with 24 disposals and five tackles in a resounding 83-point win. 

19-year-old Ferronato had a promising first season with the Carlton Reserves, averaging 17.7 disposals in his six outings in the Navy Blue. 

After playing with the Northern Knights in 2023, Ferronato adjusted to life at VFL level, bringing a willingness to grow his game and training standards to match. 

Ferronato’s best outing was in Round 14 against Richmond, where he accumulated 17 disposals and seven tackles, showing a sign of what’s to come for the young hard-at-it midfielder. 

Also showing great signs in 2024 was Hogg, who managed five matches this season. 

After only making one appearance for the side in 2023, the 20-year-old was given more opportunities on the wing this year, averaging 13.2 disposals and four marks. 

Highly regarded for his running ability, the son of 1995 Carlton premiership player Matthew Hogg, had a breakout game against eventual VFL Grand Finalists Southport, racking up 24 disposals, six marks and five tackles. 

Rounding out the re-signings is 21-year-old winger Patrick Dozzi, who has committed for another season at IKON Park. 

In his fourth year with the Reserves, Dozzi - another former Northern Knight - returned for the final two games of the season after an ankle injury interrupted his 2024 season.  

Dozzi played his role across the two matches, accumulating 19 and 18 disposals against Geelong and Richmond respectively.   

Carlton VFL Senior Coach Luke Power said he was excited to see the four youngsters re-sign for 2025. 

“Archie, Kristian, Darcy and Patrick have shown a great drive to improve this season, and we’re so glad to have them back at the Club next year,” Power said. 

“Archie is a hard-at-it midfielder who never backs down from a challenge. He’s continuously shown improvement in his three years at the Club, and he’s the kind of person who makes our program a better place. 

“Kristian is an exciting youngster who’s shown his appetite for hard work ever since he arrived at IKON Park. He always put his best foot forward and showed a passion to improve his game at VFL level. 

“Darcy was one of our key improvers in 2024, on the back of his desire to both improve his game and be the best teammate he could be. He had some great showings on the wing this season and he’ll only continue to get better.   

“Patrick was able to showcase himself in the final two games of the season strongly. Next season will mark his fourth season with the Carlton Reserves and he’s shown a commitment to get the best out of himself from day one. 

“Having these four players re-commit puts us in a great position to continue to grow our program for years to come, on top of the 12 players who we’ve already announcing as going around again for next season.  

“Ahead of our return to pre-season next week, we feel we’re in a great position to build on what we what we saw in the back half of the season last year.”