There’s plenty for Blues fans to be excited about heading into 2015, but leadership growth and fresh talent head the list for Carlton’s Football Operations Manager Andrew McKay.

McKay has spoken to Radio Sport National as Carlton prepares for its full list to resume training next week. He says there will be plenty of fresh faces on the park, after Carlton turned over about a quarter of its list.

“It’s certainly been a big change and I think you have to not be surprised about that when we haven’t been performing as well as we’d like,” McKay told RSN.

“We feel as though we had a bit of a void in that 20-23 year age bracket. Over the last few years a number of those guys have left the club, so we’ve certainly been trying to bolster that area and I think we’ve done that pretty well this year with Kristian Jaksch, Mark Whiley and Matthew Dick more recently.”

McKay expects Jaksch and Whiley will offer the side some versatility, while he sees Dick as a player whose power running and kicking will see him push from halfback deep into the forward line.

Carlton is likely to use four selections in the upcoming AFL National Draft and has committed to selecting former Bulldog Jason Tutt in the pre-season draft.

McKay says the young blood has injected fresh enthusiasm into the team.

“The boys (1-4 year players) have been back for nearly two weeks training and there’s a real feeling of positivity there,” McKay said.

“(Also) really looking forward to seeing the leadership development of Marc Murphy, Bryce Gibbs and Lachie Henderson ...  and I think their development in the leadership aspect will give us a lift as well.”