MATTHEW Cottrell is well and truly used to being a Carlton footballer now.

But he admits that it took a few years to properly sink in.

Following in the footsteps of grandfather Len Cottrell, who played for the Blues in the late 1950s, Matthew always dreamed of pulling on his childhood colours on the big stage.

It may have taken a while to get there, but the forward has become further and further entrenched in Carlton’s team over recent years. A supplemental selection period signing in 2019, it took Cottrell 18 months to make his debut.

A dozen games followed in 2021 (with another two as unused sub), but it’s been under Michael Voss where Cottrell has flourished, playing 35 games in the past two years.

It's a form line which saw Cottrell upgraded to Carlton's senior list for the 2024 campaign after five years as a rookie.

“It’s sort of sunk in now. It took a couple of years where it was a wild ride and it didn’t feel real at all,” Cottrell told RSN last month.

“I’m so excited to play for the Blues where my grandpa played, and it’s exciting to go on that journey with my family as well.”

Despite growing up as a supporter himself, even Cottrell was taken aback by the support shown by the Carlton faithful as the team went from strength to strength throughout 2023.

It’s been something that’s remained consistent even over pre-season, and it’s left Cottrell and his Carlton teammates hungry for more.

“It was something that took me a bit by surprise. I didn’t realise how big Carlton was in terms of the fanbase until you get on that run and play finals.

“No matter where you go, there are people wishing you good luck or saying ‘well done on the weekend’. It’s pretty cool, the buzz, and we’re looking for hopefully more of that next year.

“[The 2023 season] was only a little taste of what we can achieve. We know we need to improve on a couple of things: we can’t have a poor first half to the year and try and get that back from outside the eight. We’re always looking for ways to improve.”