The 2010 season has come and gone, and with it another finals appearance - and while the end result was disappointing, there were undoubtedly a number of positives to emerge from the year.
Since our final game in 2010, the Carlton family has been able to share in the glory of Chris Judd’s Brownlow Medal triumph. What a grand result for a truly wonderful player and great Club leader, who was only too keen for all Carlton people to share in the victory.
Through the trade period and the National and Rookie Drafts we have welcomed a number of new players to Carlton. Our selections in the National Draft were specific, with the emphasis on key position players who will hopefully form part of the team’s spine going forward.
With the senior playing list now in place, I know you will join me in welcoming all our newcomers and wishing them the very best for long and successful careers at the Carlton Football Club.
We also welcome to Carlton the new assistant coaches, who undoubtedly bring added experience and knowledge to the panel for 2011. Alan Richardson, as the Senior Assistant Coach, will be working closely with Brett Ratten and his fellow assistant and development coaches. Gavin Brown, a part of Collingwood’s 2010 premiership coaching panel, has taken on the role of Assistant Coach and will be working closely with the backline, while the former Hawthorn and St Kilda assistant John Barker is another new Assistant Coach, whose brief involves Carlton’s forwards.
Luke Webster has also accepted the position of Development Coach, with Matthew Capuano switching from a development role to Assistant Coach. Together with Mark Riley, Matthew will be working with the midfielders, while Darren Harris, as the new coach of the Northern Bullants, will combine duties with his existing role as Development and Academy Manager.
It’s fair to say that all connected with the Carlton Football Club face the Christmas break with genuine confidence about the New Year. The players are fit and the key sponsorships are in place, with Hyundai and Mars furthering their relationships as Major Sponsors, and Visy, Optus, Nike and TeleChoice all continuing as our key corporate partners in 2011.
The response to the 2011 Membership Campaign, “No Passengers”, has been extremely pleasing. Membership is at a pre-Christmas all-time record as the Club strives to secure an all-time record number of 50,000 members in 2011, and as the slogan suggests, “No Passengers” is all about getting everyone involved.
The Carlton team of 2011 first takes to the field on Saturday, February 12, in what is the opening round of the NAB Cup. In the revised format we meet both Richmond and Collingwood at Etihad Stadium, commencing at 7:15pm, with the Carlton Family Day confirmed for the following day, Sunday February 13th, at Visy Park.
The real action begins on Thursday, March 24, when Carlton will once again kick-off the AFL season against Richmond at the MCG, and it goes without saying that we expect a massive turnout of Carlton supporters for what shapes as a vital game at the home of football.
On behalf of the Directors and everyone at the Carlton Football Club, I wish you a very safe and happy Festive Season and look forward to your support of the mighty Blues in 2011.
Stephen Kernahan
President
