THE Carlton Football Club will field a standalone reserves side for the first time in 19 years when a new-look, second-tier competition resumes in 2021.

An announcement made today by the AFL will see 22 teams form the 2021 VFL and East Coast Second-Tier Competition, with clubs to be based in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria

The Blues will have their own reserves side for the first time since 2002, which will allow the Club to have greater oversight in regard to its player development, particularly on a match day.

A Carlton reserves team will also allow the Club to streamline its football department resources as it aims to maximise its coaching and player development, despite the reduction in the football department soft cap over the next few years.

Carlton Head of Football Brad Lloyd said a standalone reserves side would be a significant boost for the Club’s player development.

“We’ve spoken about the exciting talent we believe we have on our playing list and it is crucial we have a development pathway that gives us every opportunity to maximise that talent,” Lloyd said.

“A standalone VFL side is a big step forward in that regard. We will have complete oversight in regard to our reserve players on a game day, which will only further allow us to enhance their development during the week.

“Another benefit in combining our AFL and VFL program is that we will be able to streamline our resources in the football department. A financial reality to come out this year was a reduction in the football department soft cap across the AFL. While this has presented its challenges, we believe bringing our VFL program in-house will ensure we continue to enhance our player development pathway, which will ultimately lead to improved on-field performance at the elite level.”

Further details in regard to the reserves team will be confirmed in the coming months. The Club will provide these updates to its members at the appropriate time.

Confirmed licences:

Standalone Second-Tier Clubs: Aspley, Coburg, Frankston, Northern Bullants, Port Melbourne, Southport, Werribee, Williamstown
Standalone AFL Clubs: Brisbane Lions, Carlton, Collingwood, Essendon, Footscray, Geelong Cats, Gold Coast SUNS, GWS GIANTS, North Melbourne, Richmond, Sydney Swans
Aligned Clubs: Sandringham, Box Hill Hawks, Casey Demons