CARLTON CEO Brian Cook has declared the Blues\u2019 ambitions to win both an AFL and AFLW flag within the next five years.<\/p>\n
But the veteran footy administrator said Carlton is simply trying to improve on last year heading into 2023.<\/p>\n
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\u2019 troops out of the finals mix.<\/p>\n
But in the second pre-season under Voss, Cook sees improvement within the squad.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve 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,\u201d Cook said.<\/p>\n
\u201cVossy and the team have not been reluctant about that, they\u2019ve set some pretty high standards for the players and they\u2019re loving it; that\u2019s the feedback I\u2019m getting.\u201d<\/p>\n
The injuries Cook referenced are those belonging to Sam Walsh and Zac Williams in particular.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Jordan Boyd and Matt Cottrell are also dealing with long-term injuries.<\/p>\n
But as it stands, it\u2019s little compared to the injury carnage Carlton went through last year.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The upward trend the Blues appear to be on has the club hierarchy hopeful of the ultimate success in the coming seasons.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn our business plan, we\u2019ve indicated we\u2019ll win at least one men\u2019s and women\u2019s premiership\u2026 in the next five years that is,\u201d Cook said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe real issue for us is to keep improving every year, that\u2019s the important thing, both on and off the field.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll improve on last year, that\u2019s our aim. Where that ends up from a ladder point of view, who knows.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\u2019s top eight.<\/p>\n