IT WAS a case of second-time lucky for Carlton when it successfully acquired out-of-contract Geelong forward/midfielder Darcy Lang in last year's NAB AFL Trade Period.

That's because the Blues had enquired about Lang a year earlier as part of the package deal that saw Zach Tuohy traded to Geelong at the end of 2016.

But Lang, still contracted to Geelong at the time, turned the Blues down. He wanted to stay at the Cats, aware he was playing for a finals contender.

Instead former Cats teammate Billie Smedts (delisted at the end of last year) ended up at Ikon Park in exchange for Tuohy, a future first-round pick and the No.63 selection in that year's Draft. The Cats received a future second-round pick back from the Blues.

However, after Lang played 10 matches for Geelong in 2017, including the semi-final win over Sydney and the preliminary final loss to Adelaide, his circumstances had changed.

The inclusion of Gary Ablett and returns of Cory Gregson and Lincoln McCarthy from long-term injuries may have seen Lang's opportunities to play in the senior team limited, and he decided he needed a fresh start.

"Geelong's a great club. I had and still do have a lot of close mates there, so it wasn't as if it was a decision I made lightly," Lang told AFL.com.au.

"But it was one that I thought where I'm going in terms of my personal development as a footballer, I thought that Carlton was the best fit for me."

Lang, who played 44 games and booted 31 goals for the Cats after being taken with pick No.16 overall in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft, was thankful the Blues could offer him a home where he could reset his career.

The 22-year-old knocked back an offer to join Gold Coast as part of a deal for Ablett, while North Melbourne also had interest in the 183cm midfielder.

"For them (the Blues) to come and show their interest again and say they really rate me as a footballer was obviously pleasing to hear, but now I've got repay the faith to them and start to get a kick," Lang said.

The speedy Blue gathered 12 disposals and laid three tackles against his old team at GMHBA Stadium last Saturday night as he builds into a year that was interrupted by a pre-season ankle injury.


Darcy Lang embraces former teammate Patrick Dangerfield on Saturday night. (Photo: AFL Media)

Lang only returned in round eight after several games at VFL level to get his conditioning up to speed and hopes to make more of an impact as the season goes on.

Blues coach Brendon Bolton believes Lang adds a touch of class to Carlton's side.

"He's a good ball user. Darce can play a variety of roles – he can play inside (midfield), he can play half-forward and wing if required, so he gives us some flexibility," Bolton said.

Lang said developing cohesion with his new teammates in the back half of the year would be paramount after missing out on valuable time to do so over the summer.

"It's good to be back playing. Injuries are just part of footy, so you've just got to manage them as best you can," Lang said.

"I've had three games back now so I'm starting to feel fitter and my match running has started to get better. The continuity is the thing from here."