With only 28 days until Carlton kicks off the 2016 NAB Challenge against Hawthorn, Blues CEO Steven Trigg says Carlton supporters should feel “really bubbly” about the Club’s progress.

Growth, development and learning – that’s been the key focus for the coaches and players during pre-season, with the Blues looking to improve on and off the field as quickly as possible.

Speaking to SEN on Thursday, Trigg admitted while there’s always a positive feeling at this time of year, he genuinely feels a “great sense of optimism” around Ikon Park.

“There’s an extra bit (optimism) at Carlton at the moment, there’s a really really positive vibe, we can feel the progress and we can feel and measure the learning,” Trigg said.

As Brendon Bolton prepares to coach his first game at the helm of the Blues (against his former club), Trigg says it’s been “exciting” to see the young players develop during pre-season under Bolton and his new group of assistants. 

“I, and we, couldn’t be happier with how our entire coaching group is going about it at the moment.

“The clarity that Brendon has brought in his own mind about what we’re going to teach, the way we’re going to teach it, the creation of the environment to best facilitate that development of our players has been on show.

“Honestly, it’s been really super impressive.”

Carlton takes on Hawthorn in Launceston on February 18, in what will be the first match of the 2016 NAB AFL Challenge.

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