Joshua Bootsma Biography

Following his sacking from Carlton, Josh Bootsma is eligible to resume his career with WAFL side Peel Thunder after a transfer from South Fremantle was completed this week.

Blues coach Mick Malthouse says Carlton's playing group has supported the club's decision to sack Josh Bootsma.

"I know superficially they're all on board. There has been no indicator that the players aren't behind what the club has done at all, and they've had an opportunity to speak about it," Malthouse said.

"I think that every player in the room understands the extent to which this football club has gone to enhance their own lives, whether it be on the football field or off, and know in particular how much time has been put into Josh to make it easier for him to play AFL football.

"Since I've been at the club, and I know before I got to the football club, the club has put an enormous amount of effort into all the players, but Josh has taken considerable time up with our people trying to organise his life."

Josh Bootsma is sacked by Carlton after misusing social media and breaching the club's code of conduct.

Bootsma is reported to have exchanged sexually explicit photographs with a teenager and this exchange was subsequently reported to the club by the teenager's mother.

The suspension comes after a period of Bootsma reportedly failing to meet training and behavioural standards set by the club.

"There's been a number of issues we've been dealing with for quite some time now," Carlton football manager Andrew McKay said.

"One of those has come to light very recently, putting inappropriate material on social media, and that was the straw that broke the camel's back for us to terminate his contract.

"It's been going on for probably a year now, which is disappointing.

"They were the types of things that lose the trust of the playing group.

"When you lose the trust of the playing group, all doesn't go well to hold your spot at the club."

Carlton are in talks with West Coast regarding a possible trade to move defender Josh Bootsma to the Eagles.

Josh Bootsma signs a new two-year deal with Carlton, keeping him at the club until the end of 2015.

"His defensive skills are very good, he can manage to get the spoil in most times. He needs to get bigger in the body, but certainly he's got those Inspector Gadget-type arms and often gets a fist in," Carlton general manager of football operations Andrew McKay said.

"Initially, he'll be used down back as more of a traditional defender, but as time goes on he'll hopefully be more of a running defender."

Josh Bootsma, with his mop of blonde hair, makes an immediate impression for the Blues drawing cheers from the crowd with seven disposals in 25 minutes on debut against GWS after filling in for Ed Curnow.

"It takes some blokes 100 games to get that popularity, but whether it's the hair or what it is I'm not sure, but if he's a cult hero already, good luck to him," Carlton coach Brett Ratten said.

"He's been our best player the last two weeks at VFL level, so it was a great reward for him. He'll get another taste, but I can't say when."

Joshua Bootsma makes his AFL debut for Carlton at Docklands Stadium with 7 disposals (6 kicks and a handball), 2 marks and a tackle in a 67-point win over GWS.