He previously played for the Carlton Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL), but had his contract terminated midway through the 2014 season, for breaching the club's and the AFL's codes of conduct.
[2] In 2011, Bootsma started the year playing for his local club North Albany, before joining WAFL side South Fremantle mid season.
Bootsma's 13 games for the Bulldogs saw his 2011 AFL draft prospects rise greatly, with him being touted by Kevin Sheehan as a potential top 30 pick.
[4] After starting the 2012 season playing for the Northern Blues in the Victorian Football League, Bootsma made his AFL debut in Round 6 against Greater Western Sydney, as a late replacement.
[5] On 3 June 2014, Bootsma's contract with Carlton was terminated for breaching the club's and the AFL's Codes of Conduct, related to inappropriate behaviour on social media.