AFL news: Carlton president Luke Sayers could stay on for extra year

Carlton members could have a big say as to whether or not president Luke Sayers hangs around at the club. Plus the latest on CEO Brian Cook as he ponders an exit from the Blues.

Carlton president Luke Sayers pats Jesse Motlop on the back as he walks off. Picture: Michael Klein

Carlton president Luke Sayers is yet to rule out asking Blues members for an extra season at the helm of the club in 2025 as a decision awaits on coach Michael Voss’s contract.

Sayers only became president of Carlton in August 2021 but he has been on the board since 2012, with next season the end of his third and final term.

The club’s proposed changes to extend the tenure of directors past 12 years was knocked back in 2021.

So the Blues would need to alter the club constitution for Sayers to remain as president long-term.

But there is an option under club rules for Sayers to ask members for a single extra season as president through to the end of 2025.

A decision on that request will likely be postponed until next season.

Luke Sayers with captain Patrick Cripps. Picture: Michael Klein

Sayers at this stage is reluctant to consider that option, but Blues CEO Brian Cook made clear last Friday it was still on the table.

Carlton’s constitution makes clear directors must not remain for more than three four-year terms but states: “A director who must otherwise retire under 9.3(d) may remain in office for a further period of 12 months where the Members approve that further period by Ordinary

Resolution.”

Asked about Sayers’ position given his former role as PwC chief executive of the company endures a tax-avoidance scandal, Cook made clear the 2025 option was a possibility.

“Luke is the president at least until the end of next year and he’s been performing that role wonderfully and at 100 per cent diligence, so as far as we are concerned he is our president until the end of next year and will be performing as the president until at least then.”

Sayers had stated that he was not aware of the “confidentiality issues” that have emerged at PwC that have seen eight of the company’s partners stand down.

He said on Friday Voss would be “cool” with going into 2024 uncontracted if that was the club’s stance.

A happy Michael Voss shakes hands with president Luke Sayers after the Blues big win over the Pies. Picture: Michael Klein

But if Voss can surge into finals and even win contests in September he would be in a position of strength to secure a contract extension past 2024.

Cook is also out of contract at the end of next year and while he has done an excellent job calming a fractious football club he is yet to decide if he will continue past 2024.

Sayers said on Friday the club would work on a possible succession plan but was also hopeful Cook might continue on.

“Cooky has been outstanding for us. He has been in the chair for 18 months now, he is exactly what we wanted. A mature head and experienced and he’s brought that in spades. We are rapt with how Cooky is going and we will continue to look at that and also lots of other succession options into the future. We will look at all options.”

Originally published as AFL news: Carlton president Luke Sayers could stay on for extra year