THERE'S more than a few storylines for the Blues leading into season 2024.

As we just about head into the time of the year where everybody starts to draft their best 22s, we look at seven Carlton players who all will be looking to make the upcoming campaign one to remember.

Tom De Koning

The story surrounding Carlton ruckman Tom De Koning leading into 2023 was all about his contract — but a two-year extension affirmed his commitment to the Navy Blue.

And the way De Koning finished season 2023 will have Carlton fans hungry for more.

There weren’t many more influential than De Koning when the Blues produced that stunning semi-final win over Melbourne, and it was indicative of the big man’s whole campaign where he had an impact both in the ruck with Marc Pittonet as well as forward of centre.

Of his 60 career games, 51 have come in the last three years after just nine in his first three. The foundations have well and truly been laid for the 24-year-old.

Zac Williams

Whatever the Blues get out of Zac Williams in 2024 is a bonus: he's the quintessential 'like a new recruit' leading into next year.

The dynamic defender regrettably went down with an ACL injury on the eve of the campaign after being a pre-season standout in the lead-up to 2023.

The addition of Williams will give the Blues a bigger boost coming out of the back half, linking up with 2022 All-Australian Adam Saad and 2023 John Nicholls Medal runner-up Nic Newman.

The boyhood Blue was as passionate as anyone when watching those big finals from the race of the MCG, but everyone would much rather see the 136-gamer back in action in his favourite colours.

Sam Docherty

When we say Sam Docherty is ‘one to watch’, it’s all about what position the veteran is likely to play in 2024.

The Carlton favourite played a little bit of everywhere last season, starting in his customary position down back but ultimately featuring as an inside midfielder when key on-ballers were injured, as well as on the wing during the finals series.

It’s a luxury for the coaching staff to have someone of Docherty’s ilk at their disposal, using his football smarts to make an impact across every line as well as his unmatched spirit to ensure he’s never out of the conversation.

The 30-year-old continues to add strings to his bow as a genuine utility in this Carlton team.

Jaxon Binns

From a veteran to a youngster.

Jaxon Binns did all the right things in his first campaign at IKON Park, with VFL Senior Coach Luke Power lauding his repeat efforts and running ability on the way to not only winning the Carlton Reserves’ Best and Fairest, but also being named in the VFL Team of the Year.

Speaking in the first week of pre-season, Binns unsurprisingly said making his AFL debut in Navy Blue was a key objective for him in 2024, but is well and truly aware that his work will be cut out for him and nothing will be handed out.

Re-signed at Carlton until the end of 2026, time is on Binns’ side, and the way he’s been training so far in pre-season is indicative of a young man hungry for more.

Jordan Boyd

For some, Jordan Boyd was a surprise inclusion for the preliminary final for his first game in over two months. A three-game suspension saw Boyd out of the side, and he couldn’t squeeze his way back in as the Blues continued its winning run.

That was until the Blues made the trip to Brisbane, and Boyd well and truly proved that he belonged at the level.

Producing arguably a career-best performance in the biggest game he’s played to date, Boyd’s combination of strong defence and damaging ball use out of the back half saw him play nine games in 2023 despite surgery last pre-season.

Competition for spots has never been hotter at Carlton, so pre-season will be crucial for the likes of Boyd to secure his spot in the Blues’ starting side.

Lachie Fogarty

Highly valued for his commitment to the cause each and every week, Lachie Fogarty showed why his teammates love playing with him in the second half of 2023 after injuries plagued his 2022.

It was no surprise that the Blues’ improved pressure and contest - hallmarks of their game under Michael Voss - went up a gear with Fogarty back in the side after his recall in Round 14, as the 24-year-old produced consistent performances which saw him remain in the side and earn a one-year contract extension during the finals series.

Only Patrick Cripps laid more tackles than Fogarty after the latter’s return to the side, and he’ll need to bring that competitive edge once again to play his role for the Blues.

Matthew Cottrell

After his standout elimination final, the noise around Matthew Cottrell was consistent: he may not be the the first player mentioned externally, but it’s a different story inside the four walls.

Previously seen solely as a wingman, those who watched the Blues closely in 2023 saw Cottrell lock down a role as a high half-forward, supporting his team in both offence and defence with a running capacity that is second to none.

The elimination final he played - where he was arguably the best player on the ground at half time - was a microcosm of Cottrell’s impressive 2023, who overcame injury problems from pre-season to prove just how vital he is to Carlton’s system upon his return to the team.

Having now chalked up 50 career games, Cottrell has been one of Carlton’s big improvers in recent years, and he’ll be looking to continue that trend in 2024.