Former Carlton ruckman Alex Mirkov becomes footy’s most-wanted man with AFL interest

Country teams, cashed-up suburban clubs, VFL sides — and even AFL interest. Former Carlton ruckman Alex Mirkov’s phone has not stopped ringing this off-season as he weighs up his next move.

Alex Mirkov is in demand from AFL clubs after a season playing in the VAFA.

There are no posters of him around town, but, when it comes to football, 211cm former Carlton rookie Alex Mirkov is on the most-wanted list.

The 25-year-old ruckman has spoken to Fremantle Dockers about an SSP training stint, is taking calls from VFL clubs, and has cashed-up suburban and country teams making his phone buzz.

“It’s been pretty hectic,’’ he said.

An enjoyable and successful season with amateur club Old Ivanhoe Grammarians has Mirkov considering a return to higher football.

As his team reached finals, he finished second in his club’s best and fairest, nosed out by competition vote-topper Billy Murphy, and was selected in the VAFA Premier B team of the year.

Alex Mirkov fires out a handball during a VFL game.

“Offers came my way towards the backend of the season … one from an AFL club and they kind of threw me a bit of bone and we’ll wait to see how that unpacks,’’ Mirkov told this masthead.

“A couple of VFL clubs have also reached out and it’s had like a domino effect. Quite a few have reached out now. There’s a bit going on at the moment.’’

Alex Mirkov's RD8 #VFL game:
43 hit outs
5 clearances
3 tackles
3 inside 50s
13 touches pic.twitter.com/isYyMGUPlb

— Carlton Blues Fans (@CarltonFCBlues) May 19, 2024

Here's a snippet of that 🔥 Old Ivanhoe engine room...

Ex-Blue Alex Mirkov, to '24 Prem B BnF Billy Murphy, to Charlie Naish, to his brother Patrick Naish...

Couldn't finish, but explains the Hoers' eight Q4 goals on the way to a comeback win v Old Carey. @VAFA_HQhttps://t.co/uzHqLiowKQpic.twitter.com/GhWdSDDFrd

— Paddy Grindlay (@pad_nauseum) April 14, 2025

Mirkov did not name Fremantle but he did confirm he underwent testing at Maribyrnong Sports Academy with a club last month.

VFL-listed pair Tyson Scoble and Chris Scerri did the same, indicating the Dockers’ interest in not only another ruckman, but a small forward.

Mirkov was on Carlton’s VFL list when the Blues selected him in the 2021 mid-season draft.

Without having played an AFL game, he was delisted after the 2024 season.

Mirkov said he enjoyed every bit of his time as a Carlton rookie.

“Loved it. Wouldn’t change it for the world,’’ he said.

“But there was probably scarce opportunity for me there. Tom De Koning was dominating. Marc Pittonet could have been the No. 1 ruckman at any other club. Hudson O’Keefe was coming through as a great developer. So I kind of fell out of favour a little bit.’’

The VFL Blues had recruited Mirkov from Old Ivanhoe and he returned to the amateur club this year.

Alex Mirkov enjoys a win with Old Ivanhoe.

Mirkov jostles with premiership ruckman Darcy Fort during a VFL game.

He started there in 2018, having previously played volleyball and basketball.

“The whole reason I went back to Ivanhoe was to go back and play with my schoolmates. It was something I really wanted to do, go back and enjoy my footy again, get the passion back, and I feel like it’s done that,’’ he said.

“But, going back to the next level, that’s something I started to explore in the backend of the year.

“Potentially it could happen. We’ll see how the year plays out, going into next season. One club outlined that they might be interested in having me as a train-on but there’s a bit to play out with that. Not sure where it all sits. We’ll know more after the draft. It will be an interesting couple of weeks.’’

Mirkov said he wasn’t “locked in’’ to playing in the VFL either.

Sandringham and Port Melbourne are two of the clubs keen on him.

The Borough’s need for a ruckman is pressing after the departure of Ajang Kuol mun to Werribee and Tom Hofert to Frankston.

Outgoing Old Ivanhoe coach Jarrod Gieschen said Mirkov gave the club an outstanding season.

“He dominated. There were a couple of games he won off his own boot with strong contested marks and he kicked about 25 goals,’’ he said.

Gieschen was coaching the amateur club when Carlton VFL recruited Mirkov and he said his improvement in the past few years had been exceptional.

“When he was drafted he was a skinny kid who didn’t know where to stand on the field,’’ he said.

“Carlton saw his potential. He came back after a couple of years in their system and he was stronger, more athletic. The biggest improvement was with his maturity and game sense and willingness to make the play rather than wait for it to come to him. I still feel like, at 25 or 26, he’s got more in him to keep improving. And he’s got the hunger to do it.’’

Mirkov played 43 VFL games for Carlton.

Originally published as Former Carlton ruckman Alex Mirkov becomes footy’s most-wanted man with AFL interest