Jordan Russell and Bret Thornton quit the Blues

UPDATE: CARLTON key-position player Bret Thornton will join defender Jordan Russell in trying his luck as a free agent.

CARLTON key-position player Bret Thornton will join defender Jordan Russell in trying his luck as a free agent.

The Blues have confirmed reports on SuperFooty this morning that Russell will pursue a fresh start as an unrestricted free agent.

Thornton will follow the same path.

The 28-year-old played 188 games for the Blues, including seven this season.

Carlton also announced today it had delisted Rohan Kerr and rookies Nick Heyne, Blake Bray and Matthew Lodge.

Russell, a No.9 draft pick in 2004, was runner-up in Carlton's 2010 best-and-fairest but has steadily fallen out of favour at Visy Park in the two years since.

Sources said he was happy to move interstate to reignite his career, with regular opportunity the clear priority.

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Russell, still only 25 and with 116 games to his name, is believed to have attracted interest from several clubs.

He was Carlton's most consistent defender in 2009 and 2010 as the Blues emerged from the finals wilderness.

But a pre-season hip injury and loss of form in 2011 meant he played only 16 games and he was overlooked for the Blues' finals against Essendon and West Coast.

He was virtually frozen out this year by former coach Brett Ratten, managing only seven games and falling down the backline pecking order behind Nick Duigan, Zach Tuohy, Heath Scotland and Chris Yarran.

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It has been a surprising fall from grace for a player who finished sixth in Carlton's 2009 best-and-fairest and second behind captain Chris Judd the following year.

At his peak, Russell's defensive discipline and pacy rebound made him a standout.

Russell's departure could be the first in a summer clean-out at Carlton, with Mick Malthouse expected to be formerly announced as coach as early as next week.

Russell qualifies as an unrestricted free agent because he has served eight or more seasons at one club, is not among the top 25 per cent highest-paid players at Carlton and is out of contract.

Under AFL rules, he can move automatically to an interested club of his choice.

The free-agency frenzy will begin on October 1, less than 48 hours after the Grand Final, and run until October 19.

Clubs will be free to lodge offers with eligible free agents from rival clubs.