2023 Carlton Football Club season explained

Club:Carlton Football Club
Season:2023
President:Luke Sayers
Coach:Michael Voss
Captain:Patrick Cripps
Home Ground:Marvel Stadium, Melbourne Cricket Ground
(Training and administrative: Ikon Park)
Regularseason Comp:AFL season
Regularseason Result:3rd (15–10–1)
Finals Series:AFL Women's season
Finals Result:12th (4–6)
Club B&Amp;F:John Nicholls Medal
Best And Fairest:Jacob Weitering
Leading Goalscorer:Charlie Curnow (81)
Club Membership:95,277
Prevseason:2022
Nextseason:2024

The 2023 Carlton Football Club season was the Carlton Football Club's 160th season of competition.

It was the club's men's team's 127th season as a member of the Australian Football League, and the second under senior coach Michael Voss. The team recovered from a bottom four position at midseason to finish fifth in the home-and-away season with a 13–9–1 record, and ultimately finished third after reaching the preliminary finals. It was Carlton's first time qualifying for finals since 2013, ending a club-record nine-year finals drought; and its highest finishing position since 2000.

The club's women's team contested its eighth season of the AFL Women's, finishing twelfth out of eighteen teams with a 4–6 record. The club also fielded its men's reserves team in the Victorian Football League and its state level women's team in the VFL Women's.

Club summary

The 2023 AFL season was the 127th season of the VFL/AFL competition since its inception in 1897; and, having competed in every season, it was also the 127th season contested by the Carlton Football Club. The club also fielded its women's team in the eighth season of the AFL Women's competition, its men's reserves team in its sixth Victorian Football League season, and its VFL women's team in its fifth VFL Women's season.

As in 2022, Carlton's primary home ground was Marvel Stadium and secondary home ground was the Melbourne Cricket Ground, with the team playing six home games at the former and five at the latter.[1] Traditional home ground Ikon Park continued to serve as the training and administrative base, and as the home ground for AFL Women's and the men's reserves matches.

Car manufacturer Hyundai, which had been a major sponsor of the club continuously since 2008,[2] and Great Southern Bank, which became a major sponsor during the 2021 season, continued as the club's major sponsors through the 2023 season;[3] Carlton signed a further five-year extension of its long-term deal with Hyundai during the year.[4] The club signed 95,277 members for the season to be the fourth-highest membership in the league, and exceeding 2022's record of 88,776 in early May; it was the sixth consecutive season that a new club record membership had been set.[5] [6] The club returned a net operating profit of $1.5 million, down $2 million on 2022 which was attributed to full year depreciation of the completed Ikon Park redevelopment; and launched a new philanthropic program called The First 18 in May.

Senior personnel

It was a year of stability for Carlton's senior personnel: Luke Sayers continued in his second year as president, Brian Cook in his second year as CEO, Michael Voss in his second year as senior coach, and Patrick Cripps in his second year as sole club captain and fifth year overall (having served as co-captain with Sam Docherty for three years).

Departing the club's coaching panels was development and reserves coach Daniel O'Keefe, who stepped away after three years. His role as reserves coach was filled by Luke Power;[7] Tom Lonergan joined as Development and Talent Manager, bringing experience from two Talent League clubs;[8] and former player and football committee-member Brad Ebert joined as development coach.[9]

Squad for 2023

The following is Carlton's squad for the 2023 season.

Statistics are correct as of end of 2022 season.

Senior List
No. Player Age <-- At end of 2022 -->AFL Debut Recruited from Career (to end 2022) 2023 Player Statistics
Gms Gls Gms Gls B D K HB M T HO
1 25 99 73 1614 12 217 129 88 64 43 47
2 23 63 19102 1 159 96 63 15 25 0
3 19 12 122124 7 2091238638500
5 23 Eastern (U18), 94 21229 7 560 275 285 74 106 0
6 28 136 320– ––––– – –
7 25 78 36165 629115713458480
8 23 Western (U18), 43 12124 4 149 77 72 28 58 0
9 Patrick Cripps (c) 27 159 8724914 596 226 370 51 3
10 25 86 1742129 29 247 190 57 141 34 18
11 28 Claremont, 88 104222 2 379 297 82 105 54 0
12 23 41 1219972281141145447337
13 27 West Perth,, 120 372510 5 576 319 257 137 62 0
14 18 – – 192 4 266 163 103 58 48 0
15 29 Gippsland (U18), 144 17238 9 586 359227138900
16 20 5 110 0 4 1 3 0 10
17 21 6 0171 0 26918287113 28 0
18 Sam Walsh (vc) 22 81 31186 4 514 222 292 63 44 0
19 20 23 161111 7 97 66 31 16 44 0
20 28 144 210 0 12 9 3 5 2 0
21 27 Claremont, 135 1131317 10 142 75 67 46 31 0
22 26 52 0800111 77 37 46 16 0
23 Jacob Weitering (vc) 25 133 11260 0 402 317 85 208 23 0
24 29 Frankston, 86 142433561376185183850
25 24 95 49124 5 250 135 115 40 16 0
26 18 — – –70 0 69 49 20 20 13 0
27 26 Oakleigh (U18), 41 5180 1 171 89 82 24 32 446
28 25 41 23126 4 166 64 102 26 102 0
29 27 North Adelaide, 135 36223 1 445 182 263 49 102 0
30 25 84 1432681 44 356 280 76 180 27 3
31 18 — – –0– ––––– – –
32 18 — – –0– ––––– – –
33 24 Sturt, 43 2150 2 200 114 86 77 16 60
34 21 2 10– ––––– – –
36 21 11 763 344 27 17 14 13 0
42 28 Calder (U18), Coburg,, 152 10250 0502 341 161 111 48 0
44 25 31 291827 12 161 107 54 48 44 0
Rookie List[10]
No. Player Age <-- At end of 2022 -->AFL Debut Recruited from Career (to end 2022) 2023 Player Statistics
Gms Gls Gms Gls B D K HB M T HO
4 23 60 1660 1 43 30 13 17 5 0
35 33 204 50173 6 225 141 84 46 43 0
37 24 7 090 2 112 832926210
38 26 23 10– ––––– – –
39 26 – –193 2234113 121 53 35 0
40 18 – – –0– ––––– – –
41 20 – – –0– ––––– – –
45 23 – – –0– ––––– – –
46 22 37 141711 11 238 160 78 72 34 0
Senior coaching panel[11]
Coach Coaching position Carlton Coaching debut Former clubs as coach
Senior coach 2022 (s), (a)
Head of development, reserves coach 2020 GWS (a), AFL Academy Manager
Assistant coach (Midfield) 2016 (a), Coburg (s), Richmond reserves (s), (a)
Assistant coach (backline) 2022 (a), (s)
Assistant coach (forwards) 2022 (a), Footscray reserves (s)
Assistant coach (ruck) 2022
Development and talent manager 2023 Calder Cannons (d), Geelong Falcons (d)
Development coach 2023 (m)
Torin Baker Carlton College of Sport and Academy and development coach 2021 Western Jets (s), (d)
Coaching and performance manager 2022 (d, a), (a, d), (d), AFL umpires (s)

Playing list changes

The following summarises all player changes which occurred after the 2022 season. Unless otherwise noted, draft picks refer to selections in the 2022 National Draft.

In

Player Former Club League via
Trade period, in exchange for a third-round selection in the 2023 National Draft.[12]
2022 National Draft, first round selection (No. 11 overall).[13]
2022 National Draft, second round selection (No. 30 overall).
2022 National Draft, second round selection (No. 32 overall).
2022 National Draft, third round selection (No. 47 overall).
2023 pre-season supplemental selection period.[14]
2023 pre-season supplemental selection period.[15]

Out

Player New Club League via
Greensborough[16] Delisted after the season[17]
Delisted after the season,[18] then recruited by St Kilda in the 2023 pre-season supplemental selection period.[19]
Williamstown[20] Delisted from the rookie list after the season
Carlton reserves[21] Delisted from the rookie list after the season
Euroa[22] Delisted from the rookie list after the season
Trade period, along with a fourth-round selection (provisionally No. 68), in exchange for a for a fourth-round selection in the 2023 National Draft[23]

List management

Player Change
Signed with as an unrestricted free agent; Carlton received a third-round selection as compensation (provisionally No. 49). Jones had retired from Carlton prior to the 2022 season due to the league's COVID-19 vaccine mandate, which was later removed; but Carlton remained entitled to a compensatory draft pick because of the short duration over which Jones had been retired.[24]
Elevated from the Category B rookie list to the senior list.[25]
Demoted from the senior list to the rookie list. Administratively, Curnow was selected in the 2023 rookie draft with Carlton's first round selection (No. 10 overall).

Season summary

Pre-season

Carlton played two practice matches, the first deemed unofficial and the second deemed official, as part of its lead-up to the premiership season.

Date and local timeOpponentScores (Carlton's scores indicated in bold)VenueAttendance
HomeAwayResult
align=left Friday, 24 February align=left 12.12 (84)11.8 (74)Won by 10 points[26] Ikon Park (H)6,000
align=left Friday, 3 March align=left 15.7 (97)7.12 (54)Lost by 43 points[27] Blacktown ISP (A)6,000

Home-and-away season

Following Carlton's improvement and narrow finals miss in 2022, expectations were high among experts that Carlton would make finals;[28] [29] and the season opened well with the club sitting in second place after an unbeaten first month.

Thereafter followed a sudden drop in form, and Carlton lost eight of its next nine matches – defeating only wooden spooners – to drop to the bottom four with a 4–8–1 record. While Carlton maintained strong performance in contested ball during this period and frequently won the territory and inside-50 counts, its matches were characterised by low pressure without the ball, and a forward structure which struggled to convert territory into goals[30] – averaging below eight goals in those losses and including separate 28 and 34 point losses in matches with more scoring shots than the opponent.[31]

As the losing streak progressed, there was unrest among the club's powerbrokers and directors: on 13 May, long-time powerbroker Bruce Mathieson gave a newspaper interview critical of the club's off-field leadership;[32] and in the dressing room after the loss against Sydney, director Craig Mathieson was compelled to resign after a verbal altercation with president Luke Sayers[33] – a reaction which was seen as a strong statement by Sayers against the club's other administrative factions in support of Michael Voss as coach.[34] In the week prior to the final loss of the streak against Essendon, the playing group organised a campfire retreat at Ed Curnow's Torquay home, which served as an honesty and bonding session, which was considered a key catalyst for the club's onfield recovery in the latter half of the year.[35]

The club's form improved significantly, and a nine-game winning streak followed – including wins against top four opponents, and over a five-week period – characterised by record level stoppage differentials, improved efficiency of scoring from turnover, and a complete reversal of its difficulties converting territory to scores.[36] The club secured its finals berth in round 23 with its ninth consecutive win – recovering from a 40-point second quarter deficit to win by four points – before losing a round 24 match against which by the time it was played had no impact on Carlton's fifth-placed finish.

Across the home-and-away season, Carlton was 3–3 in six games against the top four (who won sixteen or more games), 2–6 against the clubs who finished 6th to 11th (eleven to thirteen wins), and unbeaten with 8–0–1 against the bottom seven. The club's late season recovery was one of the most remarkable on record: only the 1945 Blues, 1959 Bombers and 2023 Giants (who also achieved the feat this year) had ever reached a preliminary final after sitting in the bottom four of a twelve-or-more team competition at or beyond midseason.[37]

RdDate and local timeOpponentScores (Carlton's scores indicated in bold)VenueAttendanceLadder
HomeAwayResult
1align=left Thursday, 16 March align=left 8.10 (58)8.10 (58)Match drawn[38] Melbourne Cricket Ground (A)88,0849th
2align=left Thursday, 23 March align=left 13.12 (90)12.10 (82)Won by 8 points[39] Melbourne Cricket Ground (H)55,8617th
3align=left Saturday, 1 April align=left GWS9.10 (64)9.20 (74)Won by 10 points[40] GIANTS Stadium (A)9,6913rd
4align=left Friday, 7 April align=left 11.18 (84)16.11 (107)Won by 23 points[41] Marvel Stadium (A)49,0622nd
5align=left Thursday, 13 April align=left 18.10 (118)9.8 (62)Lost by 56 points[42] Adelaide Oval (N)47,3954th
6align=left Sunday, 23 April align=left 8.12 (60)12.10 (82)Lost by 22 points[43] Marvel Stadium (H)45,7708th
7align=left Saturday, 29 April align=left 6.8 (44)23.14 (152)Won by 108 points[44] Optus Stadium (A)47,4906th
8align=left Friday, 5 May align=left 11.8 (74)15.10 (100)Lost by 26 points[45] Marvel Stadium (H)45,4588th
9align=left Saturday, 13 May align=left 8.11 (59)11.13 (79)Lost by 20 points[46] Marvel Stadium (H)42,7569th
10align=left Sunday, 21 May align=left 7.15 (57)13.7 (85)Lost by 28 points[47] Melbourne Cricket Ground (H)80,35411th
11align=left Friday, 26 May align=left 11.11 (77)6.15 (51)Lost by 26 points[48] Sydney Cricket Ground (A)36,31013th
12align=left Friday, 2 June align=left 8.13 (61)6.8 (44)Lost by 17 points[49] Melbourne Cricket Ground (A)49,87214th
13align=left Sunday, 11 June align=left 6.16 (52)13.8 (86)Lost by 34 points[50] Melbourne Cricket Ground (H)83,63815th
14align=left Sunday, 18 June align=left 18.12 (120)8.13 (61)Won by 59 points[51] Melbourne Cricket Ground (H)29,60214th
15Bye15th
16align=left Sunday, 2 July align=left 7.10 (52)17.10 (112)Won by 60 points[52] Melbourne Cricket Ground (A)66,33714th
17align=left Sunday, 9 July align=left 6.9 (45)14.14 (98)Won by 53 points[53] Optus Stadium (A)49,46911th
18align=left Saturday, 15 July align=left 18.14 (122)10.12 (72)Won by 50 points[54] Marvel Stadium (H)34,30610th
19align=left Saturday, 22 July align=left 21.14 (140)10.9 (69)Won by 71 points[55] Marvel Stadium (H)34,9549th
20align=left Friday, 28 July align=left 10.16 (76)14.9 (93)Won by 17 points[56] Melbourne Cricket Ground (A)86,7857th
21align=left Sunday, 6 August align=left 8.6 (54)10.13 (73)Won by 19 points[57] Marvel Stadium (A)42,6565th
22align=left Saturday, 12 August align=left 9.6 (60)8.8 (56)Won by 4 points[58] Melbourne Cricket Ground (H)68,5775th
23align=left Saturday, 19 August align=left 13.9 (87)13.13 (91)Won by 4 points[59] Heritage Bank Stadium (A)19,2535th
24align=left Sunday, 27 August align=left GWS11.7 (73)16.9 (105)Lost by 32 points[60] Marvel Stadium (H)44,3545th

Finals

In the elimination final, Carlton faced Sydney. A strong second quarter saw Carlton build a 29-point lead at half time, before Sydney gradually fought back throughout the second half; Sydney's last goal with thirty seconds left to play drew the margin back to six points, the closest it had been since the first quarter, but Carlton held on for a six point victory. In a close semi-final against Melbourne, played with high pressure and high errors, Carlton conceded the first three goals then scored the next five, before neither team managed more than two consecutive goals for the rest of the game;[61] Carlton trailed by nine points entering time on in the final quarter, before kicking the last two goals to defeat an inaccurate Melbourne by two points. 2023 recruit Blake Acres kicked Carlton's last goal late in the final quarters of both games: a steadying goal which put Carlton 14 points ahead in the 23rd minute against Sydney; and the go-ahead goal with less than a minute remaining against Melbourne. In the preliminary final against Brisbane, Carlton opened strongly with the first five goals to lead by 30 points after 22 minutes; Brisbane then took control of the game, and kicked ten of the next eleven goals between the late first quarter and the early final quarter to lead by as much as 28 points; two quick goals by Carlton brought the margin back to 16 points with eight minutes remaining, but Carlton got no closer and 16 points was the final margin.

Week Date and local timeOpponentScores (Carlton's scores indicated in bold)VenueAttendance
HomeAwayResult
First elimination finalalign=left Friday, 8 September align=left 11.8 (74)9.14 (68)Won by 6 points[62] Melbourne Cricket Ground (H)92,026
First semi-finalalign=left Friday, 15 September align=left 9.17 (71)11.7 (73)Won by 2 points[63] Melbourne Cricket Ground (A)96,412
Second preliminary finalalign=left Saturday, 23 September align=left 11.13 (79)9.9 (63)Lost by 16 points[64] The Gabba (A)36,012

Team records

Individual awards

John Nicholls Medal

The Carlton Football Club Best and Fairest awards night took place on 8 October 2023.[69]

John Nicholls MedalThe winner of the John Nicholls Medal was Jacob Weitering, who polled 210 votes to win the award for the second time in his career. Nic Newman finished second with 193 votes for the best finish of his career to date, and Charlie Curnow was third with 174 votes.
Pos.
Player
Votes
1stJacob Weitering210
2ndNic Newman193
3rdCharlie Curnow174
4thAdam Cerra167
5thPatrick Cripps158
6thBlake Acres153
7thSam Docherty152
8thAdam Saad149
9thSam Walsh143
10thMitch McGovern108
Other awardsThe following other awards were presented on John Nicholls Medal night:-

Leading goalkickers

Charlie Curnow won the Coleman Medal as the league's leading goalkicker in the home-and-away season for the second time in his career. Curnow kicked 78 goals in the home-and-away season, winning the award by a margin of two goals from Taylor Walker after kicking three goals in the round 24 match against, and finished with 81 goals.[70] Curnow became the first Carlton player ever to win consecutive VFL/AFL leading goalkicker awards; and it was Carlton's third consecutive Coleman Medal as a club, Harry McKay having won the medal in 2021.[71]

Playerwidth=5%Goalswidth=5%Behinds
81 44
29 29
27 12
24 7
17 10

Other awards

Honorific teams
AFLCA awards
Other awards
Statistical leaders
Records
Hall of Fame

AFL Women's

After failing to play finals in both 2022 AFLW seasons, the club conducted an independent review of its AFLW program, which ran between December 2022 and January 2023. Among the review's conclusions was the need for a full time senior coach to improve leadership across the program, and a recognition that there had been confusion among the players regarding the club's onfield game plan – two conclusions which resulted in the club terminating part-time senior coach Daniel Harford, who had coached the team for five seasons. The review also identified a need for an increased professional and high-performance culture, and improved 360° feedback and development.[83]

Harford was replaced as senior coach by Mathew Buck, who had been a senior assistant coach with the club's men's reserves team.[84] The extended coaching panel was also replaced in full: Carlton College of Sport coordinator Ash Naulty stepped up as Head of AFLW; Tom Couch joined as head of development and midfield assistant coach; Glenn Strachan joined as senior and backline assistant coach; Christina Polatajko joined as forwardline assistant coach; and Lachlan Swaney was appointed development coach.[85]

SquadThe club's AFL Women's 2023 squad is given below. Experienced players lost from the squad were: Elise O'Dea (28 games for Carlton after 28 for), who retired;[86] Lucy McEvoy (33 games), who signed with ;[87] Brooke Walker (26 games), who was traded to ;[88] and Natalie Plane (21 games), who was traded to in a three-way trade including ;[89] Inaugural player Harriet Cordner joined the club from Richmond in the Plane trade.

Carlton was active in the 2023 AFL Women's draft – which was a special over-19s only draft due to the shortened time between the two 2022 AFL Women's seasons[90] – adding Lulu Beatty (pick No. 5) and Madeline Hendrie (pick No. 9) in the first round, Marianna Anthony (pick No. 20) in the second round, and Chloe Wrigley (pick No. 28) in the third round. Carlton also added gaelic footballers Dayna Finn and Erone Fitzpatrick to the list.

The club's 2023 squad is given below. Numbers in parentheses represent games played and goals scored for the season.

SeasonCarlton finished twelfth out of eighteen teams, with a 4–6 record, to miss the finals. Carlton's had been in sixth place with a 4–2 record after six rounds, but lost its last four matches despite only one of those matches coming against a finalist. Overall, Carlton was 2–2 in four matches against finalists, and 2–4 in six matches against non-finalists.
Rd Date and local timeOpponentScores (Carlton's scores indicated in bold)VenueAttendanceLadder
HomeAwayResult
1align=left Saturday, 2 September align=left 5.4 (34)4.8 (32)Won by 2 points[91] Ikon Park (H)3,2449th
2align=left Sunday, 10 September align=left 10.6 (66)1.0 (6)Lost by 60 points[92] Arden Street Oval (A)2,78813th
3align=left Sunday, 17 September align=left 3.6 (24)12.5 (77)Won by 53 points[93] Mineral Resources Park (A)1,2089th
align=left Saturday, 23 September align=left 6.4 (40) 7.5 (47)Lost by 7 points[94] Ikon Park (H) 2,304 9th
align=left Friday, 29 September align=left 6.8 (44) 6.3 (39)Won by 5 points[95] Ikon Park (H) 2,304 8th
align=left Friday, 6 October align=left 4.10 (34)8.5 (53)Won by 19 points[96] VU Whitten Oval (A)2,1636th
align=left Sunday, 15 October align=left 1.4 (10)4.3 (27)Lost by 17 points[97] Ikon Park (H)3,1119th
align=left Saturday, 21 October align=left 8.1 (49)7.5 (47)Lost by 2 points[98] Henson Park (A)1,5749th
align=left Saturday, 28 October align=left 8.8 (56)3.6 (24)Lost by 32 points[99] Windy Hill (A)3,81211th
align=left Sunday, 5 November align=left 3.8 (26)7.4 (46)Lost by 20 points[100] Ikon Park (H)2,64912th
League awards

Reserves

Carlton fielded reserves teams in the men's and women's competitions during the 2023 season.

Men's

Carlton's men's reserves team contested its sixth VFL season; and its 86th overall season of reserves and state level competition dating back to 1919.

Club Head of Development Luke Power took over as the reserves coach after 2021–22 coach Daniel O'Keefe departed.[102] VFL-listed players newly signed to the team included: former AFL senior players Luke Parks (Carlton), Liam McMahon and Ben Ronke ; and Sam Grant, Blake Kuipers, Ethan Bentley, Jed Brereton, Charlie Brauer, Noah Barnes, Nathan Scollo, Ben Moyle, Will White, Jack Maruff, Jack Lefroy and Eli Pearce. Retained from the 2022 squad were Ben Crocker, Zavier Maher, Heath Ramshaw, Michael Lewis, Mitch Moschetti, Tyreece Lieu, Patrick Dozzi, Ned Cahill, Hayden Gill, Archie Stevens, Logan Prout, Aiden Mills, Darcy Porter, Hamish Sinnott, Lachlan Swaney. 2023 No. 1 draft pick Harley Reid also notably played two games as the underage 23rd man, zoned to Carlton from the Bendigo Pioneers, early in the year.[103] Ben Crocker, in his third season with the team, took over as captain following the departure of Matt Shannon.[104]

The reserves team finished 11th out of 21 clubs with a win-loss record of 10–8 and a percentage of 106.5%. The team narrowly missed the wildcard round, which was played by the teams ranked 7th through 10th, on percentage from the North Melbourne reserves whose percentage was 109.9%. Entering the final round, Carlton had been well placed to qualify even with a loss, but dropped to 11th place after losing more than 12%pts in a disastrous 127-point loss against eventual premiers Gold Coast.[105] First year senior listed player Jaxon Binns, who did not play a senior game through the year, won the reserves best and fairest.[106]

Women's

The club fielded a team in the VFL Women's competition for the fifth time. Tom Stafford continued as the team's coach for the second season,[107] and Christina Bernardi took over as captain.[108]

The team finished 6th out of 12 in the home-and-away season with an 8–6 record and a league-high percentage of 150.7%, to finish in the last position in the final six; it was a close season overall, with minor premiers Collingwood finishing only one game ahead on 9–5 with a lower percentage. It was the first time Carlton had qualified for the VFL Women's finals,[109] which were played under the Second McIntyre Final Six System.

In the elimination final against third-placed Williamstown, Carlton recovered from a 0.0 (0) vs 1.5 (11) first quarter to win a wet weather game by four points. Then in a close first semi-final against second-placed Port Melbourne, Carlton lost by one point, to finish the season in fourth place.

Finals matches
WeekDate and local timeOpponentScores (Carlton's scores indicated in bold)Venue
HomeAwayResult
Elimination Finalalign=left Sunday, 9 July align=left 2.6 (18)3.4 (22)Won by 4 points[110] DSV Stadium (A)
First Semi-finalalign=left Sunday, 16 July align=left 5.7 (37)5.6 (36)Lost by 1 point[111] ETU Stadium (A)

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Another blockbuster start for Carlton's 2022 AFL season. 9 December 2021. 19 December 2021. Carlton Football Club.
  2. Web site: Hyundai and Carlton in New Partnership . 12 November 2007 . 23 April 2012 . Carlton Football Club .
  3. Web site: Blues announce Great Southern Bank as new Co-Major partner. 4 June 2021. 5 June 2021. Carlton Football Club.
  4. Web site: Blues announce 2023 financial result. 1 December 2023. 3 December 2023. Carlton Football Club.
  5. Web site: Carlton smashes membership record for eighth-consecutive year. 4 May 2023. Carlton Football Club. 27 August 2023.
  6. Web site: AFL membership numbers 2023: All-time record broken for competition. Bryn Wakefield. 6 September 2023. 11 September 2023. Sportingpulse.
  7. Web site: Luke Power to take reins of Carlton Reserves. 6 October 2022. 29 October 2022. Carlton Football Club.
  8. Web site: Tom Lonergan. 16 January 2023. Carlton Football Club. 27 August 2023.
  9. Web site: Brad Ebert. 16 January 2023. Carlton Football Club. 27 August 2023.
  10. Web site: Senior Players List. Carlton Football Club. 14 October 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20141007041751/http://www.carltonfc.com.au/football/players/senior-players. 7 October 2014. dead.
  11. Web site: Coaching panel. 31 October 2014. Carlton Football Club. https://web.archive.org/web/20141006203445/http://www.carltonfc.com.au/football/coaching-panel. 6 October 2014. dead.
  12. Web site: New Blue: Dockers wingman lands at third club with Carlton switch. Wingman Blake Acres has landed at his third AFL club, joining Carlton from Fremantle. Telstra. AFL.com.au. 4 October 2022.
  13. News: Herald Sun. Melbourne, VIC. AFL Draft 2022: See all your club's picks and our expert verdict. Jay Clark. 30 November 2022. 9 December 2022.
  14. AFL_House. 1623922213811544065. 10 February 2023. Paperwork approved. Carlton have signed Hudson O'Keeffe (formerly Oakleigh Chargers in the Coates Talent League) via the Supplementary Selection Period..
  15. Web site: Cincotta earns AFL chance. 15 February 2023. Carlton Football Club. 16 February 2023.
  16. News: Herald Sun. Greensborough adds ex-AFL talent ahead of the new Northern season. 24 April 2023. 18 January 2023. Ben Higgins.
  17. News: Carlton list changes. 26 August 2022. . 26 August 2022.
  18. News: Carlton makes further list changes. 6 September 2022. . 5 September 2022.
  19. Web site: Saints Stock up as ex-Blue becomes a Saint. 20 January 2023. 20 January 2023. saints.com.au.
  20. Web site: Williamstown sign ex-AFL pair Marty Hore and Oscar McDonald, announce return of VFL great Ben Jolley. Mitch Keating. 9 November 2022. 17 December 2022.
  21. Web site: Parks joins Carlton Reserves. 16 December 2022. 17 December 2022. Carlton Football Club.
  22. Web site: Will Hayes set to return to Euroa for season 2023. James Kleeman. 9 October 2022. 17 December 2022.
  23. Web site: Bombers bring in Blue to boost midfield depth. The Bombers have landed Will Setterfield from the Blues. Telstra. AFL.com.au. 10 October 2022.
  24. Web site: Jones returns home to the Kennel. 4 October 2022. Liam Jones has returned to the Western Bulldogs on a three-year deal as an unrestricted free agent..
  25. Web site: How your club is placed ahead of the list lodgement deadline and upcoming AFL draft. 2 November 2022. 10 April 2023. Fox Sports. Marc McGowan.
  26. Web site: AFL practice match report v Collingwood. 25 February 2023. 24 February 2023. Rose Zarucky. www.carltonfc.com.au.
  27. Web site: AFL practice match report v Collingwood. 4 March 2023. 3 March 2023. Cristian Filippo. www.carltonfc.com.au.
  28. Web site: Crystal Ball: Our predictions for the 2023 AFL season are in. 14 March 2023. Australian Football League. 3 December 2023.
  29. Web site: AFL crystal ball: Fox Footy experts predict 2023 flag winner, wooden spoon, Brownlow and more. 16 March 2023. Ben Waterworth. 3 December 2023. Fox Sports.
  30. Web site: 'They lost hope': Blues woes grow as alarming stats show just how far club has fallen . Catherine Healey. 11 June 2023. Fox Sports. 3 December 2023.
  31. Web site: Carlton - Game Records. 3 December 2023. AFL Tables.
  32. Web site: Carlton powerbrokers or troublemakers? Whateley & Maclure respond to Mathieson's Blues comments. Hugh Fitzpatrick. 13 May 2023. 3 December 2023. SEN.
  33. Web site: Carlton board member departs as focus intensifies on Blues. 28 May 2023. SEN. Tom Morris.
  34. Web site: BARRETT: The rare Carlton power move that saved Blues' season. Damian Barrett. 23 July 2023. Australian Football League. 3 December 2023.
  35. Web site: Stars reveal 'real truth' of the campfire conversations that turned Blues' season around. 19 September 2023. Fox Sports. Jono Baruch.
  36. Web site: Brutal, bullying Blues: The historic stats behind Carlton's revival. Riley Beveridge. 9 August 2023. Australian Football League. 3 December 2023.
  37. Web site: Greatest comeback ever? Blues, Giants break VFL/AFL record. 19 September 2023. Australian Football League. 3 December 2023. Riley Beveridge.
  38. Web site: Tie of the Tiger: Blues draw with Richmond in surreal season opener. 2 April 2023. 16 March 2023. Sarah Black. www.afl.com.au. 16 March 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230316131301/https://www.afl.com.au/news/882737/tie-of-the-tiger-blues-draw-with-richmond-in-surreal-season-opener. bot: unknown.
  39. Web site: King Charles shines as Blues edge Jezza-inspired Cats. 2 April 2023. 23 March 2023. Josh Gabelich. www.afl.com.au. 24 March 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230324214700/https://www.afl.com.au/news/887134/king-charles-shines-as-blues-edge-jezza-inspired-cats. bot: unknown.
  40. Web site: Misfiring Blues survive scare to scrape past spirited Giants. 2 April 2023. 1 April 2023. Alison O'Connor. www.afl.com.au.
  41. Web site: Blues fest: Twin towers put on a show in SuperClash. 10 April 2023. 7 April 2023. AAP with Sophie Welsh. www.afl.com.au.
  42. Web site: Crows put on a show to brilliantly blitz Blues. 16 April 2023. 13 April 2023. Riley Beveridge. www.afl.com.au.
  43. Web site: Tough, tenacious, top-spot Saints too good for Blues. 23 April 2023. 24 April 2023. AAP with Howard Kimber. www.afl.com.au.
  44. Web site: Blues cruise: King Charles bags nine as Carlton crushes Eagles. 29 April 2023. 1 May 2023. Nathan Schmook. www.afl.com.au.
  45. Web site: Slam Dunks: Gun recruit stars as Lions squeeze life out of Blues. 5 May 2023. 5 June 2023. Josh Gabelich. www.afl.com.au. 7 May 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230507040620/https://www.afl.com.au/news/918272/slam-dunks-gun-recruit-stars-as-lions-squeeze-life-out-of-blues. bot: unknown.
  46. Web site: Dogs survive late comeback from Jekyll and Hyde Blues. 13 May 2023. 5 June 2023. Sarah Black. www.afl.com.au. 14 May 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230514142007/https://www.afl.com.au/news/923895/dogs-survive-late-comeback-from-jekyll-and-hyde-blues. bot: unknown.
  47. Web site: High-flying Magpies heap more pain on patchy Blues. 21 May 2023. 5 June 2023. Josh Gabelich. www.afl.com.au. 22 May 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230522023327/https://www.afl.com.au/news/930932/high-flying-pies-heap-more-pain-on-patchy-blues. bot: unknown.
  48. Web site: Feeling Blue: Swans sink wayward Carlton for crucial win. 26 May 2023. 5 June 2023. Gemma Bastiani. www.afl.com.au. 26 May 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230526153419/https://www.afl.com.au/news/933212/feeling-blue-swans-sink-wayward-carlton-for-crucial-win. bot: unknown.
  49. Web site: Demons grind out victory to inflict more pain on faltering Blues. 2 June 2023. 5 June 2023. Sarah Black. www.afl.com.au.
  50. Web site: Wright on: Brilliant Bombers blow inaccurate Blues away. 11 June 2023. 17 June 2023. Ben Somerford. www.afl.com.au.
  51. Web site: Carlton finds mojo with incredible demolition of Suns. Josh Gabelich. 18 Jun 2023. 1 July 2023. www.afl.com.au. 18 June 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230618205638/https://www.afl.com.au/news/952636/carlton-finds-mojo-with-incredible-demolition-of-suns. bot: unknown.
  52. Web site: AFL match report: Blues surge to 10-goal win. Cristian Filippo. 2 July 2023. 7 July 2023. Carlton Football Club.
  53. Web site: AFL match report: Blues surge to 10-goal win. Cristian Filippo. 9 July 2023. 10 July 2023. Carlton Football Club.
  54. Web site: Electric Blues pull Power plug to end win run at 13. AAP with Howard Kimber. 15 July 2023. 16 July 2023. Australian Football League.
  55. Web site: Ten-goal Charlie leads resurgent Blues in romp over Eagles. AAP with Alison O'Connor. 22 July 2023. 24 July 2023. Australian Football League.
  56. Web site: One for the Blue believers: Pies stunned as Carlton dreams big. Gemma Bastiani. 28 July 2023. 2 August 2023. Australian Football League.
  57. Web site: Brilliant Blues surge past Saints to boost finals chances. Ben Somerford. 6 August 2023. 7 August 2023. Australian Football League.
  58. Web site: Straight eight: Blues fire on all cylinders to down Dees. AAP with Howard Kimber. 12 August 2023. 13 August 2023. Australian Football League.
  59. Web site: Finals-bound Blues snatch victory after almighty scare from Suns. Ben Somerford. 19 August 2023. 21 August 2023. Australian Football League.
  60. Web site: Giants seal September spot, fall just short of home final. Gemma Bastiani. 27 August 2023. 28 August 2023. Australian Football League.
  61. Web site: Carlton v Melbourne. 18 September 2023. AFL Tables.
  62. Web site: Blues train rolls on with nailbiting win over Swans. Josh Gabelich. 8 September 2023. 11 September 2023. Australian Football League.
  63. Web site: Prelim-bound Blues hand wayward Dees second straight-sets exit. Josh Gabelich. 15 September 2023. 18 September 2023. Australian Football League.
  64. Web site: Lions bound for Grand Final after ending Blues' dream. Michael Whiting. 23 September 2023. 25 September 2023. Australian Football League.
  65. News: Sutton. Ben. Carlton join exclusive group after thumping West Coast for fifth-straight win. Seven News. 22 July 2023. 22 July 2023. 22 July 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230722171144/https://7news.com.au/sport/afl/carlton-join-exclusive-group-after-thumping-west-coast-for-fifth-straight-win-c-11355267. live.
  66. News: AFL Carlton Deep Dive: Blues win six games in a row to rocket into finals contention. 29 July 2023. 6 October 2023. Herald Sun. Sam Landsberger. Ronny Lerner.
  67. Web site: Carlton - Quarters & Halves. 6 October 2023. AFL Tables.
  68. Web site: Carlton - Game Records. 6 October 2023. AFL Tables.
  69. News: Weitering a dual John Nicholls Medallist. 8 October 2023. 3 December 2023.
  70. Web site: King Charles receives second Coleman after dominant 2023. 31 August 2023. Australian Football League. 2 September 2023. Martin Smith.
  71. Web site: Blues pair achieve rare feat after Curnow seals Coleman. 22 August 2022. 22 August 2022. SEN. Alex Zaia.
  72. News: All-Australian team: Toby captain, 12 new faces named. Australian Football League. Schmook. Nathan. 30 August 2023. 30 August 2023.
  73. Web site: AA SQUAD REVEALED: Five Pies in, stars miss, young guns named. Australian Football League. Michael. Whiting. 28 August 2023. 28 August 2023.
  74. Web site: Max Gawn misses extended All-Australian squad . espn.com.au . 29 August 2023 . 28 August 2023.
  75. Web site: McGowan . Marc . Vinall . Marnie . New breed among All-Aus contenders; Demons' ACL fears confirmed; Hawks, Dons AFLW hope . theage.com.au . Nine Media . 29 August 2023 . 28 August 2023.
  76. News: A 22under22 Team of the Decade trio. 10 March 2023. Carlton Football Club. 11 March 2023.
  77. Web site: Clarke awarded Phil Walsh Memorial Scholarship. 10 March 2023. Cristian Filippo. Carlton Football Club.
  78. Web site: AFLCoaches . Walsh takes out 2023 Gary Ayres medal!. 2023-10-02 . X (formerly Twitter) . en.
  79. Web site: Sam Docherty claims 2023 Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award. 25 September 2023. 6 October 2023. Carlton Football Club. Carlton Media.
  80. Web site: 2023 Player Totals. 3 December 2023. AFL Tables.
  81. Web site: Carlton - Season and Game Records (1965-2023). 6 October 2023. AFL Tables.
  82. Web site: Judd humbled by Hall of Fame honour. 2 March 2023. Australian Football League. 11 March 2023.
  83. Web site: 31 January 2023 . Club statement: AFLW review update . 16 February 2023 . Carlton Football Club.
  84. Web site: Blues appoint Buck as AFLW Senior Coach. Carlton Media. 4 April 2023. 2 September 2023. Carlton Football Club.
  85. Web site: Game-changing additions: Blues announce 2023 AFLW coaching group. 9 June 2023. Carlton Football Club. 2 September 2023.
  86. Web site: O'Dea announces retirement. Telstra. Carlton. 21 March 2023.
  87. Web site: McEvoy departs through Priority Signing Period. Telstra. Carlton. 7 March 2023.
  88. Web site: AFLW: Brooke the Bomber. Telstra. Essendon. 17 March 2023.
  89. Web site: Greiser arrives at Richmond. Richmond. Telstra. 14 March 2023.
  90. Web site: AFLW set to hold one-off overage draft as stop-gap measure. Riley. Beveridge. Telstra. AFLW. 19 October 2022. 12 November 2022.
  91. Web site: Surging Suns fall just short as Blues begin Buck era in style. 2 September 2023. 4 September 2023. AAP. Australian Football League.
  92. Web site: Roos run rampant in impressive demolition of Blues. 10 September 2023. 11 September 2023. AAP. Australian Football League.
  93. Web site: Blues fire as West Coast slump to another heavy defeat. 17 September 2023. 18 September 2023. Nathan Schmook. Australian Football League.
  94. Web site: Tigers power home against Blues to notch yet another fightback win. 23 September 2023. 6 October 2023. Sarah Black. Australian Football League.
  95. Web site: Blues sneak home against Privitelli-led Swans. 6 October 2023. 6 October 2023. Gemma Bastiani. Australian Football League.
  96. Web site: Blues prove too good as struggling Dogs slump to 0-6. 6 October 2023. 4 November 2023. Dylan Bolch. Australian Football League.
  97. Web site: Pies blitz Blues early, replace rivals in top eight. 15 October 2023. 4 November 2023. Dylan Bolch. Australian Football League.
  98. Web site: Gold-worthy Goldsworthy leads Giants in a thriller over Blues. 21 October 2023. 4 November 2023. AAP. Australian Football League.
  99. Web site: Bombers look to finals after thumping Blues. 28 October 2023. 4 November 2023. Sarah Black. Australian Football League.
  100. Web site: Saints narrowly miss finals despite decisive win over Blues. 5 November 2023. 3 December 2023. Gemma Bastiani. Australian Football League.
  101. Web site: 2023-11-14 . History made as all 18 clubs land AFLW All-Australian nominees, Crows dominate — See the squad . 2023-11-27 . Fox Sports . en.
  102. Web site: Luke Power to take reins of Carlton Reserves. 6 October 2022. 29 October 2022. Carlton Football Club.
  103. Web site: Who is Harley Reid? Potential No.1 draft pick dominates AFL Under 18s National Championships. Bryn Wakefield. 21 April 2024. 7 October 2023. The Sporting News.
  104. Web site: Carlton Reserves squad list. 22 March 2023. Carlton Football Club. 10 April 2023.
  105. Web site: 2023 VFL Premiership Season. 21 August 2023. Australian Football.com.
  106. Web site: Youngster crowned Carlton's VFL Best and Fairest. 5 October 2023. 8 October 2023. Carlton Football Club.
  107. Web site: Carlton appoints new VFLW coach . carltonfc.com.au . 1 May 2023 . 16 November 2021.
  108. Web site: Bernardi to skipper Carlton VFLW . carltonfc.com.au . 1 May 2023 . 13 March 2023.
  109. Web site: Blues are final bound for the first time in VFLW history. 4 July 2023. 7 July 2023. Carlton Football Club. Angelique Ross.
  110. Web site: Comeback Carlton creates history to keep season alive. 10 July 2023. 10 July 2023. Central. Alyce Collett.
  111. Web site: VFLW match report: Semi-final v Port Melbourne. 20 July 2023. 24 July 2023. Angelique Ross. Carlton Football Club.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "2023 Carlton Football Club season".

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