Blues boss makes flag declaration in five-year plan

CARLTON CEO Brian Cook has declared the Blues’ ambitions to win both an AFL and AFLW flag within the next five years.

But the veteran footy administrator said Carlton is simply trying to improve on last year heading into 2023.

The Blues’ AFL side were denied a finals spot by the barest of margins in 2022, a final quarter comeback from Collingwood in round 23 knocking Michael Voss’ troops out of the finals mix.

But in the second pre-season under Voss, Cook sees improvement within the squad.

“We’ve taken the next step, unfortunately we have a few injuries as you know and that always is the case when you increase the intensity and the volume which we have done compared to last year,” Cook said.

“Vossy and the team have not been reluctant about that, they’ve set some pretty high standards for the players and they’re loving it; that’s the feedback I’m getting.”

The injuries Cook referenced are those belonging to Sam Walsh and Zac Williams in particular.

Walsh will miss at least the first month of the season after back surgery, while Williams will need a knee reconstruction after tearing his ACL last week.

Jordan Boyd and Matt Cottrell are also dealing with long-term injuries.

But as it stands, it’s little compared to the injury carnage Carlton went through last year.

Yet despite that, if the Blues had won just one of their last four games, Voss would have been credited with returning the club to finals for the first time since 2013.

The upward trend the Blues appear to be on has the club hierarchy hopeful of the ultimate success in the coming seasons.

“In our business plan, we’ve indicated we’ll win at least one men’s and women’s premiership… in the next five years that is,” Cook said.

“The real issue for us is to keep improving every year, that’s the important thing, both on and off the field.

“We’ll improve on last year, that’s our aim. Where that ends up from a ladder point of view, who knows.”

Voss and his side will have the opportunity to start 2023 well in finals contention, with five of their seven opening opponents not in last year’s top eight.

– BY SEB MOTTRAM/ SEN