“KEEP GOING in the same direction, which is a good direction.
“Continue to get belief in the style of game, in our people and our abilities. Continue to play finals-style football in the big games and the big moment.
“And win more games than we lose — I’ve said that right throughout the year.”
That’s Carlton CEO Brian Cook’s outlook for the coming weeks of the AFL season.
Joining 3AW Sportsday in-studio on Tuesday night to discuss all things Carlton in a wide-ranging interview, Cook said those at the Club were not putting any ceiling on expectations on what to achieve.
Cook believes the foundation of the AFL side’s 2022 form is on the back of player commitment, elite talent, coaching staff leadership and the resources at the team’s disposal at IKON Park.
“If you put those together - talent, resources, state of readiness and good coaching - you’re on a pretty good journey,” he said.
“The players were certainly in a state of readiness for change: when you get a group of players… lapping up new things coming their way, that’s the first thing.
“Winning more than we lose can mean a lot of stuff, and that was my original expectation and it still is. Where that leads us, I don’t know.”
"When you have the right approach and a [team-first] mindset, that talent emerges."
— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) June 28, 2022
Plus, what Vossy believes is fuelling the burgeoning partnership of our twin towers in attack.
As fans flock to the home of Carlton for a school holiday open training session, Cook is hopeful of seeing more and more Bluebaggers (“they’re loud, proud and passionate”) at IKON Park in the coming months when the new facility is finalised.
Nearing completion, Cook said the redevelopment was just an example of the fact that “there’s a lot happening” at the football club.
“It’s a fantastic facility for our AFLW and VFLW as well as the men’s program: they share the same facilities. It’s $55 million of training and admin facilities,” he said.
“I think it’s probably the benchmark in Australia… we’re also having a look at the rest of the stadium at the moment and developing a masterplan for that.”
Adding to the flurry of Navy Blue activity is this Friday night, when the Blues host the Saints at Marvel Stadium in their seventh annual AFL Carlton Respects Game.
“It’s something we’re quite serious about and adds a layer to our organisation which gives us greater meaning in the community,” he said.
“We’re all about that at the Carlton Football Club.
“Carlton Respects is our lead community program for the cause of gender equity and violence against women — one has a direct relationship with the other.”
