Lachie Fogarty says a winning Carlton side is good for the competition

Michael Voss led the Blues to a Preliminary Final in 2023 and has Carlton’s players right behind him as they strive to go one - or two - better in 2024.

Carlton is desperate for more than just a taste of what a Blues army can bring to Melbourne as forward Lachie Fogarty believes the powerhouse playing finals is “great for the competition”.

While Blues fans relished a chance to pack the MCG for two winning finals in a stunning September surge last season, supporters of 17 other clubs got a reminder of the numbers behind the sleeping giant.

A run to the preliminary final was the first time Carlton had won a final since 2013 and the first time the club made it to the final four teams since 2000.

As the momentum built after a poor first half to the year, attendances rose steadily, culminating in a total of 188,438 fans watching Carlton’s two narrow finals wins over Sydney and Melbourne at the MCG.

Carlton fans out in force at the finals this year. Picture: Getty Images

The rise of a club that had been in the wilderness for much of the past quarter century was reminiscent of the awakening of Richmond’s huge supporter base when the Tigers broke through in 2017, and Fogarty said the Blues players could feel the wave.

“In the moment, we all loved it and were thinking ‘what is happening right now’, we couldn’t really believe it,” he said.

“But it is just done now and it is about focusing on the next season.

“It is great for the competition (when Carlton is good). We have a really big fan base, a really passionate fan base and we absolutely love it. We often talk about it as players, just how much energy they (the fans) bring to our game and we almost feel like it is a 19th man out there, a competitive advantage.

“One thing we do talk about is bringing joy to our supporters. There are a lot of members in there who have stuck with us through some tough times and if we can bring that joy, it is a massive win I reckon.”

Carlton will have to handle the expectation both inside and outside of the supporter base in 2024, when most expect Michael Voss’ team to finish in the top four.

Lachie Fogarty had a big finish to the 2023 season. Picture: Michael Klein.

When asked, Fogarty referred back to his coach and his mantra of only worrying about what is being said and happening inside of Ikon Park, not outside.

After doubts grew about his place in the job halfway through 2023, Voss is a contender for an extension early in 2024 and Fogarty said the playing group is all-in on the former Brisbane Lions captain.

“I feel like a lot of players talk about his ability to build relationships,” Fogarty said.

“That is one thing that sticks out to me and was evident as soon as he came in. From day one he was big on that and you feel comfortable talking to Vossy.

“He is obviously one of the best leaders the game has ever seen and that is something that has stood out to me while I have been here.

“I love working with Vossy, he has been massive for our group.”

Fogarty has shrugged off a back complaint that dogged his last pre-season and is fully fit, a boon given he only entered Carlton’s side when the Blues began their 2023 uptick, with Fogarty winning 10 of his 12 games for the season.

He said he is keen to try and earn more midfield minutes but the Carlton rotation is only getting busier, with Elijah Hollands joining from Gold Coast and young speedster Billy Wilson already turning heads with his explosion as an onballer.

Originally published as Lachie Fogarty says a winning Carlton side is good for the competition