Carlton Football Club interim coach John Barker claimed the club will drop Lachie Henderson for the rest of the season, after the 25-year-old swingman declared on Thursday that he will not play for the Blues again this year and wants a trade before the season ends. Henderson, who has been out of form for the Blues, will be out of contract at the end of the season.

Barker has decided to boot Henderson from Carlton’s games after the latter requested a trade before the AFL season ends. Barker said that the logic behind Henderson sitting out the club’s remaining games is to ensure he does not suffer an injury that would damage his trade value.

“We need to provide Carlton with the best possible (trade) outcome and we feel that we’ll do that by keeping him uninjured for the next three weeks,” Barker said, reports Perth Now.

Henderson appears Geelong-bound after requesting a trade from Blues. Geelong has been eyeing Henderson throughout 2015 and Carlton are well aware that Henderson is expected to join the Cats, since the departing forward lives in Birregurra near Geelong. According to The Age, Geelong confirmed that it is interested in acquiring the out-of-contract Henderson. The Blues want the best possible draft return for Henderson, and any deal with the Cats appears likely to involve a first-round pick.

Carlton football boss Andrew McKay had met with Henderson and his manager Tom Petroro last Tuesday and was informed that the out-of-contract swingman was seeking for a trade. McKay said he was disappointed by Henderson’s decision to request a trade, but the 45-year-old boss admitted the club only wants people who yearn to don the Carlton jumper.

“In consultation with our playing leadership group, it was decided it’s in the best interests of the club that Lachie sits out of the remaining three games this season. This will allow further opportunity to see how some of our younger players continue to perform at the AFL level,” McKay said.

Henderson has been struggling for Carlton and has failed to kick a goal in his last five games. He also managed a disappointing 16 goals from 16 matches this season. With Henderson’s imminent departure after 102 games with the club, the Cats will likely to ramp up its pursuit of Essendon swingman Jake Carlisle, who is also out of contract at the end of the season.

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