During his career Carter played for Fitzroy, Brisbane and Melbourne in the Australian Football League (AFL).
[7] In his two seasons with Brisbane, Carter only managed to play five games,[8] struggling to break into the senior side of a team with what Martin Blake described as "the best depth in the competition".
After failing to be picked up in the 1999 Draft, Carter began playing with the Bendigo Diggers in the Victorian Football League (VFL).
[15] Carter also regularly represented the VFL when playing against other state leagues, such as the SANFL and the WAFL.
[19] Bendigo's best and fairest award is named the Carter Medal, in honour of his contributions to the club.