Carlton is looking closely at its high performance department in a bid to correct the massive injury toll that has plagued them for the last few years.
The Blues’ 2022 campaign was derailed by injuries, with the club never able to get anywhere near their full-strength lineup on the park.
The club had an injury list in double digits for almost the entire season, with 16 players sidelined going into Round 20 and 14 listed at the conclusion of the season.
Carlton president Luke Sayers said the club is not concerned about the playing surface at IKON Park, but is looking into the medical department.
“That's well and truly outside my (expertise). I'm sure the relevant people have looked at that. We are very blessed to have a great surface here, great facilities all around,” Sayers told the Carlton website.
“I'm led to believe there are a number of other things that've caused the injury challenges over the past 12 months, we've had a look at the high performance area, the medical area (and) we've made some changes in the off-season. None related to turf.
“We are absolutely focused on that, making sure we have players up and about and physically fit as we possibly can. Obviously, we'll have some injuries, but we want to minimise that.”
7AFL journalist Mitch Cleary provided further details on the Carlton review in their medical department.
“Their president Luke Sayers has conceded that they have had a look at their medical area and tinkered a few things,” Cleary told SEN’s Sportsday.
“The biggest takeaway that I’ve been able to ascertain really is that they’re trying to tailor their pre-seasons more individually.
“Maybe in the past they’ve had guys training as a group too early and they’ve devised a more individualised training program.
“Those guys with injury histories are being managed more this side of Christmas as opposed to other years.
“They have conceded that they have needed to change a few things and Blues fans have been wondering where this has been for the last 18 months because it’s been a big issue for some time at the Blues.”