CARLTON President Luke Sayers addressed Navy Blue members and supporters last week, stressing that the Club would continue to be held to the standards set internally.
Sayers took on the role of President nine weeks ago, saying that there had been a lot of change in that time: “some of it very challenging, a lot of it super exciting”.
With a new coaching staff, CEO and now three recruits having been brought in (with more to come at the draft next month), Sayers said it was crucial that the Club continued to be held to account by those with a vested interest in the football club.
He followed it up with his appreciation for Carlton’s record-breaking membership base of 81,302 people, with the best-and-fairest event taking place online when it would usually be held in front of over 1,000 passionate fans in normal circumstances.
“I hope you have already noticed that we will not listen to external pressure of expectations,” Sayers said on the night of the 2021 John Nicholls Medal.
“Our club knows better than anyone the direction in which we’re heading, and we will not stop until we get there.
“The wave of positivity following every appointment that we have made this off-season has been truly uplifting. I think you can feel the terrific energy that exists at our club right now.
“To be honest, the support we got not only from all of the players, but the staff and even the Carlton family was unbelievable. We all did it for him."
— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) October 18, 2021
Patrick Cripps speaks on #DoingItForDoc. Nothing but love, from skipper to skipper. 💙
“Much of that buzz can be attributed to some of the most talented people in football being attracted to Carlton.”
Mentioning the influence of new AFL Senior Coach Michael Voss and CEO Brian Cook (who began in the role officially on Monday), Sayers reserved a special mention for the football department.
With a number of changes taking place in recent weeks and months, Sayers said the ability for the people involved to band together and strive towards a common goal was something which deserved recognition.
“Change is never easy, but the manner in which you have all not only handled it, but galvanised to continue to build something special for next year and beyond, is remarkable,” he said.
“There is a super buzz in the football area of IKON Park, and that is all down to how professional, how dedicated and how committed each and every one of you are - in our men’s and women’s programs - to see the Carlton Football Club achieve the success we are all striving for.”
