CARLTON President Mark LoGiudice said the Club is preparing for a number of scenarios and believes Carlton is in a strong position to rebound from the COVID-19 situation.

The current circumstances has clearly had a widespread impact across the competition, with the AFL securing lines of credit to assist clubs which need additional support.

In a letter to members, LoGiudice confirmed Carlton has requested to be an “assisted” club — meaning it will have access to financial support if and when required.

He said growing membership, corporate partnerships and non-traditional revenue streams would provide the Club “the quickest and best opportunity” to be a non-assisted club in the near future.

“Had the COVID-19 situation occurred this time next year, it is highly likely we would have been in a position to be a “non-assisted” club,” LoGiudice said.

“In the six months prior to COVID-19, we had paid off more than half our $6.4 million of historical debt.

“Our cash flow modelling suggests we may need this support through the latter part of this year and into next year. Thereafter, we feel confident that we will be in a position to repay the AFL any money we have used and once more turn our attention to clearing our remaining historical debt.”

LoGiudice also outlined that the objectives outlined in the Club’s strategic plan - including being debt free by 2023 and the completion of the Ikon Park Master Plan - had not changed.

“We have no plans to cut funding to either AFL or AFLW programs, beyond what is mandated by the AFL for all clubs,” he said.

“While the current COVID-19 situation has forced us to review the scale of the [Master Plan] project, we remain 100 per cent committed that the redevelopment will commence either late this year or during 2021.”