CARLTON mature-age draftee Sam Rowe says he thought his AFL dream was over after being cut by the Sydney Swans.

The key forward spent two seasons as a rookie at the Swans, but didn't manage a senior game and was delisted at the end of 2007.

But, after four productive seasons with SANFL club Norwood, the 24-year-old is looking forward to making the most of his second chance at the big time.

"Obviously it's taken a little bit longer than some of the other guys, but I'm very excited to be here," Rowe said after Blues training at Visy Park on Friday.

"I thought I was probably done after my time at Sydney.

"I spent four years over at Norwood and had a very good time there, and luckily enough Carlton have given me a chance, which I'll grab with both hands if I can."

The 198cm big man spoke to Carlton about a rookie list spot 12 months ago, but decided instead to remain in Adelaide to complete his carpentry apprenticeship.

Rowe's former Norwood teammate Nick Duigan did make the move last year, and made a huge impression in his 22 debut season games.

Rowe said he has the defender to thank for his own drafting a year on.

"Seeing 'Duigs' come over and be as effective as he has, I'm the result of that," Rowe said.

"Because if he hadn't come over and played like he has, I probably wouldn't have had the opportunity.

"So I probably owe him a beer."

Rowe's fellow draftee, Western Australian rebounding defender Josh Bootsma, made a rapid rise from country footballer to first round draft pick during 2011.

"I was playing country footy in Albany and decided to move halfway through the year, and played 13 games with South Fremantle, including the Grand Final," Bootsma said.

"So the rise has been great.

"I've just taken every opportunity that I can, and just to get this far has been unbelievable, really."

While Rowe and Bootsma joined in training with their new teammates on Friday morning, the Blues' third new face, father-son selection Dylan Buckley, ran laps of the boundary.

The slightly built midfielder had ankle surgery this year and is still recovering, although he hopes to be back with the main group before Christmas.

Offered dad Jim's old No.16 when he joined Carlton, Buckley instead went for coach Brett Ratten's No.7, deliberately choosing to distance himself from his father's legacy.

"Obviously the older Carlton faithful are going to remember Dad, but I want to forge my own career path and be my own player," Buckley said.

"As much as people love Dad around the club, we're different sort of players and I'd love to play my own sort of game."

Buckley expects to spend next year in the VFL as he adds size to his frame.

"I'm not going to put any expectations on myself to play at the top level next year," he said.

"Obviously I've got a lot of work to do on my body in terms of strength and stuff like that, so we'll just keep that for the future.

"But obviously if it came up one day, you wouldn't say no."