Carlton will enter the 2024 season with stability at the top after head coach Michael Voss and CEO Brian Cook inked respective extensions to remain at Princes Park into the future.
For Voss, the recommitment will see the Hall of Famer tied to the club until the end of the 2026 season - a situation that few would have envisaged when the Blues were embroiled in chaos midway through last year's campaign.
Cook's extension will see the former West Coast and Geelong executive keep his hands on the reins until at least the end of the 2025 season, with Carlton set to continue reaping the rewards of Cook's premiership-winning nous.
The pair of re-signings come in the wake of President Luke Sayers' announcement that he would be seeking a 12-month extension from members.
Speaking within a Thursday morning statement out of Princes Park, Sayers claimed that keeping Voss and Cook would only elevate the quality of the club.
โThe Carlton Football Club has never been more united in who we are and what we stand for, Brian and Michael have been pivotal in establishing that,โ Sayers told Blues Media.
โIt is not too much to say that two years ago our football club needed to rebuild its identity, fast forward to now and Carlton has a genuine strength in numbers, our vision never clearer and our hunger to earn success greater than ever.
โBrian has brought clarity to Carlton from day one, he is genuine in his relationships across all areas of the football club, and deeply cares for and understands that our people are central to what makes Carlton โ as well as having incredible business acumen which has our club well on its way to sustainable, off-field success.
โMichael Voss is made to coach the Carlton Football Club โ a coach of great intellect, who inspires those around him and every Carlton person to not just hope, but believe in what is possible if we remain committed and true to who we are, together.
โGreat organisations are built around the quality of their people and they do not come any better than our CEO and AFL Senior Coach, we are delighted Brian and Michael will continue to lead us beyond 2024.โ
Within his own portion of the statement, Voss claimed that while significant growth had been seen in all corners of the club, the Blues still had plenty of work to do before reclaiming their crown.
โWe want to restore pride in members, fans, staff, everybody, to wear our monogram again. The connection this football club has with its people is unlike anything I have ever experienced across the four decades I have been part of this game.
โTo experience that on a daily basis is a privilege. Whether that is walking into the Club, speaking with our members and supporters in the street or the countless messages of support I am lucky to get.
โAs Carlton people we have all grown together in the last two years, we are building this the right way but also know we are only at the start of where we ultimately want to go.
โWhile we have taken significant steps forward in our progression as a club, our ambitions remain ahead of us. We've taken nothing for granted in our journey so far together โ we'll stay humble and continue to get after it because we know that we have to go to another level.โ
Carlton will face Geelong and Melbourne at their Royal Parade stomping ground this pre-season before doing battle with Brisbane at the Gabba in the AFL's inaugural Opening Round.
