CARLTON midfielder Cooper Lord will call IKON Park home until at least the end of 2026, signing a one-year extension with the Club.

From the moment he was selected with pick No.9 in the 2024 AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft, Lord has built a reputation at IKON Park as a hard-working and resilient player with an infectious attitude to get better every single day. 

Affectionately known at the Club as ‘Scoop’, Lord has fit in seamlessly at the Blues, making his AFL debut in Round 23 last year, just three months after being picked up by Carlton. 

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Highlights | Lord earns AFL chance

Take a look at Cooper Lord's highlights from the VFL ahead of his debut on Sunday.

The 19-year-old did not look out of place at the elite level, following up a memorable win over West Coast by laying seven tackles and collecting 19 disposals in just his second AFL outing against St Kilda.

An intelligent player with an eagerness to expand his football knowledge off the field, Lord’s hunger for feedback from coaches throughout the week has further endeared him within IKON Park, while demonstrating a strong commitment to growing his game.

In November, Lord was joined at the Club by childhood best friend Jagga Smith, the Blue's first pick at the 2024 draft, with both Lord and Smith attending each other's draft nights. 

Head of List Management Nick Austin said Lord has shown great progress since arriving mid-way through 2024, which has all been earned through a hunger to consistently develop his game.

“Cooper has injected a great energy into our midfield group; he is tough at contests and has the agility and speed to break free and effectively dispose of the ball out of the high-pressure moments,” Austin said.

“He has grasped the opportunity to be on an AFL list with both hands and it is wonderful to be able to be able to recognise and reward his effort with a contract extension. 

“He has shown an impressive level of maturity at such a young age and is a great story for players coming through the system, showcasing that the dream doesn’t stop on draft night.

“He is an exciting talent, and we are looking forward to seeing all he can produce in the Navy Blue over the coming years.”