The Carlton Football Club is excited to announce Ryley Stoddart and Matt Shannon as co-captains of the Blues’ new standalone reserves side.
The skippers were voted in by their teammates, based on their ability to live by and drive the key trademarks of the playing group throughout the pre-season.
Stoddart boasts maturity and on-field leadership beyond his years having arrived at the Blues following three seasons in the AFL system with the Sydney Swans, where he played six games.
The 21-year-old is originally an Eastern Ranges product, who will direct play off half-back while utilising his speed and line-breaking ability out of defence.
A disappointing loss in tough conditions, but there was still plenty to love about the Blues' final practice match.
— Carlton Reserves (@CarltonReserves) April 10, 2021
Take a closer look at yesterday's game. ??
Shannon brings a wealth of experience playing senior football at both local and VFL level.
He has joined the Club after spending a season on the Box Hill Hawks’ VFL list in 2019.
Originally from Congupna in regional Victoria, Shannon has spent time playing in the Goulburn Valley League for Tatura and Shepparton as a hard-running utility who can play anywhere on the ground.
Both skippers will be the first to lead the Carlton Reserves onto the field since 2002, the last time the Club had its own standalone team at state-level.
Carlton Reserves coach Daniel O’Keefe said the side was in a great position with Stoddart and Shannon leading from the front.
“Ryley and Matt are both natural leaders and have stood out so far in our program by bringing their own unique strengths in helping to drive the standards we are creating,” O’Keefe said.
“Ryley leads by demonstrating exceptional knowledge of the game and is great at educating and directing players on the field.
“Matt leads by example and is an excellent professional, he also shows great voice in helping his teammates to get the very best out of themselves.
“This Saturday cannot come quick enough for us, it will be a great moment when we run out as a Carlton Reserves side for the first time in 19 years and hopefully our members and supporters will enjoy being part of the season with us.”
The Carlton Reserves will kick off the season in the new-look VFL competition this Saturday at 2pm at IKON Park.
