Truth be told, I did not intend to send this email until next Monday, such was the incredible belief I have in all this football club has become this year.
This week will be tough, there’s no doubt about that.
We set out to achieve a goal and to have that ripped away from us, it hurts.
It hurts because we know that our best is good enough.
As enjoyable and unforgettable as the climb has been for our club, we know this is far from the end game. We know we have more to give.
Rest assured, we are a hungry football club.
With true disappointment though, comes profound pride.
What we have shared together as Carlton people this year has been powerful.
We have shared experiences as a club that nobody can ever take away from us.
Whether that was a sea of Navy Blue rising as one to lift our side over the line, that incredible Carlton roar I can still hear ringing in my ears, losing our minds at every nail-biting triumph and jumping with family and friends, even hugging total strangers in delirium as we belted out our club song, arm in arm.
Hold on to those moments. Those are the memories that you deserve to cherish forever.
I wrote to you back in May asking for one thing, to judge our season once it had reached its end.
While ultimately we did not achieve the goal we set for ourselves, I sincerely hope that now you can be proud of your football club.
That you can walk down the street, or into work, or your kids head off to school well and truly proud to wear the Navy Blue.
The turnaround this season was truly remarkable, however the most important thing was that it was built from something sustainable.
Does what we have achieved this season guarantee us anything for next year? No.
However this football club now has real substance. We know what we stand for.
A club built on its values; Unity, Humility, Respect, Excellence, Integrity and Relentlessness.
These encapsulate what it now means to be a Carlton person, and I want to thank you, our members, for embracing what our football club is striving to become, both on and off the field.
This season threw great adversity at us, and no doubt we will face adversity again throughout next season.
Adversity does not break this football club anymore though.
We grow from it, it makes us who we are and we will continue to embrace whatever the football gods throw our way.
We’ll stay present, stay humble and get back to work in November. We go again in 2024.
Our support now turns wholeheartedly to our AFLW side, who have already shown in the first few rounds those same qualities we have come to love in our AFL team.
Pressure, contest, being a good teammate.
For those who can, I hope to see you down at IKON Park in the second half of the AFLW season.
Above all, I just want to say thank you, for all your support.
We truly are Stronger Together.
Go Blues,
Luke Sayers
