CARLTON is hoping Tasmanian draftee Marcus Davies will continue the Blues' recent run of success with recruits from the Apple Isle.

The running defender, who was swooped on by Carlton with selection 43 overall in the NAB AFL Draft, will join fellow Tasmanians Mitch Robinson, Aaron Joseph and veteran Simon Wiggins at Visy Park.

He says he is keen to emulate the hard-at-it style of the men from his home state.

"I've never liked to get beaten at anything so I'll always try and give anything I'm doing my all," Davies says.

"I guess being from Tassie we're known for that sort of approach and I was always pretty competitive growing up … I love a bit of competition."

Robinson became an instant cult figure last season with his boundless energy and relentless attack on the ball. Davies actually played with Robinson the year before at the Tassie Mariners, which has helped him ease into his new environment.

In fact, the Blues second year player even wrestled the phone off Davies in the course of the interview just to make sure his mate was being treated fairly.

Robinson: Who's this? Are you looking after Marcus or what?

Interviewer: Yes, Mitch. What can you tell me about him?

Robinson: He's made a very good first impression on the club and he's been training very well in the touch sessions. I played with him a couple of years ago in under-18s. I was dominating in the middle and he was off killing it off half-back … he's going to be a good player. I've got a bike session now. I'll see ya.

He may have made a good impression at his new club, but Davies has had to do it while recovering from an ankle injury he suffered playing basketball just a week before the draft.

"It has been frustrating because I really want to get out there with the main group," he says. "But at least I'm still doing a lot of touch stuff which has helped. I'll be out there soon anyway."

While he hasn't been able to go all out just yet, Davies did more than enough during the season and at draft camp - where he ran a 15.1 beep test - to warrant selection according to assistant recruiting manager Shane Rogers.

"What caught our eye with Marcus were his performances at the national championships," Rogers says of the player he took with Carlton's second pick.

"He played a number of different roles across half-back and through the midfield and he was really courageous, hard and aggressive at the footy.

"We went down to watch him play for North Hobart in some really tough conditions. He stuck to his task all day and showed excellent discipline playing centre half-back that day."

Rogers believes Davis may well grow taller than his current height of 188cm and believes he could be capable of playing as a third tall in the Blues' back half.

Like so many AFL footballers, Davies is a gifted athlete in other disciplines as well. He was a state champion three kilometre and a more than handy seam bowler. He made it into a 30-strong national squad for cricket that tested at the AIS last year and was forced to make a tough decision early this year.

"I think in the end I chose footy because I just enjoy the game more," he says.

"It's more of a team game, I'm probably a bit more suited to it, and there are more opportunities with footy.

"To be honest I haven't missed cricket too badly. I watch a fair bit, but I haven't really missed the long days in the field.

"I've got this opportunity at Carlton now and I just really want to make the most of it. I guess it's paid off in the short term, but I've still got a long way to go."