Mark LoGiudice denies he is Carlton’s invisible president amid turbulent times at Ikon Park

Two wooden spoons, record membership and an improved financial position are part of Mark LoGiudice’s legacy as Carlton president. But fans criticise him for being “invisible”. Not so, says the man himself.

Mark LoGiudice has denied he is Carlton’s “invisible” president as he prepares to extend his six-year reign at Ikon Park.

The Blues’ fan base didn’t miss LoGiudice in its online member forum, wondering if he ran a boys’ club amid accusations he was “nowhere to be seen”.

LoGiudice has been on the club’s board for nine-and-a-half years of a possible 12-year, four-term limit.

There has been conjecture that a fellow board member, such as PwC boss Luke Sayers, might succeed him.

But as forum members wondered if LoGiudice’s legacy was two wooden spoons and several missed finals chances, he backed his record.

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On the accusation he was seen but rarely heard, he said to members: “If you wish to ever see me and want to chat, I am at the vast majority of AFL, VFL and AFLW games and always approachable and available to talk Carlton.

“During my presidency we have delivered a reduced and re-shaped board that is now skill-set based. Record revenue, record profit, and significant reduction of historical debt. Record membership, record home game attendances, record sponsorship, introduction of non-traditional revenue streams including Carlton IN Business and Carlton College of Sport, and a rebuild of the AFL list – the first in the club’s history.”

Mark LoGiudice at the press conference after Brendon Bolton was sacked. Picture: Getty Images

That board has been able to reduce the club’s debt to $4 million after a third successive year of net profits.

LoGiudice plans to continue as president but the departure of list boss Stephen Silvagni would have been gut wrenching for him given their close relationship.

Football boss Brad Lloyd confirmed the club would continue with the Patrick Cripps-Sam Docherty co-captaincy and defended the decision to move on Dale Thomas despite strong form.

He also defended the club’s decision to lure Josh Deluca in the mid-season draft then jettison him at year’s end.

“When we draft a player we always look at it as a long-term decision hoping they will be at the club as a long-term player. Josh was no different to this and we drafted him with this in mind. In saying this, we would never commit to a player beyond their contracted period,” Lloyd said.

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“Josh made the trip across from Perth with the opportunity to continue his AFL career, he did a good job but unfortunately was not able to secure a more permanent position on our playing list.”

CEO Cain Liddle would not commit to the abolition of poker machines at Carlton, saying only that the Blues needed to maximise other revenues to give them options in their business.

Originally published as Mark LoGiudice denies he is Carlton’s invisible president amid turbulent times at Ikon Park