The pressure at Carlton continues to rise, with prominent board member Craig Mathieson, the nephew of club powerbroker Bruce Mathieson, quitting.
According to a club source, who was not authorised to speak on the record, Mathieson, the nephew of club powerbroker Bruce Mathieson, became increasingly agitated with the Blues’ poor form.
He tendered his resignation over the weekend, and it was accepted by club president Luke Sayers and the board.
Craig Mathieson has resigned from the Carlton board.
“Craig’s position as a director would have become vacant at the end of 2024 due to him reaching his maximum term under the constitution,” Sayers said on Monday.
“His decision to resign means that the club will now take counsel from its independent nominations committee, to commence a thorough process for a director replacement, based on the needs analysis of board requirements and relevant skill sets. Craig served on the Carlton board since 2012 and we thank him for his extensive contribution to the football club throughout those 11 years of service.
It’s been a tumultuous season for Carlton president Luke Sayers, who has accepted the resignation of board member Craig Mathieson.
“I also would like to take this time to reinforce what I stated last week. We will judge our 2023 season at the end of the year, in its totality. Football clubs are defined by their moments of adversity and I can guarantee we will handle ours with a level-headed professionalism that Carlton people should expect.”
Mathieson had supported Sayers in his bid to lure Ross Lyon to Princes Park as coach in 2021. That plan, however, failed when there was pushback from other directors, the Blues then settling on Michael Voss.
Bruce Mathieson launched a withering attack on Sayers and club chief executive Brian Cook in the News Corp publications this month, coming as the Blues endure a four-game losing streak. They have won only one of their past seven games.
There are differing views at the club whether Craig Mathieson supported his uncle’s position.
The Blues’ constitution means directors are limited to 12 years, or four consecutive three-year stints.
Bruce Mathieson’s Endeavour Group leases and manages three gaming venues to the Blues, a deal originally struck in 2010.
Sayers’ term on the board and as president is slated to finish after the 2024 season, but he, like Voss, is under immense pressure, as Voss has not delivered what the Blues had expected. Voss is contracted until the end of 2024.
