Carlton star Marc Murphy models the Blues new clash strip. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun
CARLTON wants to make the MCG its primary home ground as part of a bold bid to re-establish itself as an on and off-field power.
The Herald Sun can reveal the Blues are intent on signing a deal to play up to eight games a year at the AFL mecca when their contract with Etihad Stadium expires at the end of 2014.
Carlton today will unveil its new clash jumper, incorporating a more traditional navy blue and white look, at the club's first intra-club practice match of 2013 at Visy Park from 10am.
The new strip - which ditches the controversial pale blue design - co-incides with the announcement of a three-year sponsorship extension with confectionary giant Mars.
The Blues' plan to become a tenant club of the MCG - at the end of its 150th year celebration next season - could depend on the strength of its membership base when venue talks heat up mid-year.
Carlton has more than 33,000 members but could need more than 50,000 to play the bulk of its home matches at the MCG from 2015.
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Chief executive Greg Swann said the club's ability to convert its supporters into members this season was crucial to the MCG deal.
"In comparison to some of the other clubs, it's a bit of a stone in our shoe, because we think we have got hundreds of thousands of supporters out there," Swann told the Herald Sun.
"We think if we can push it and head towards 60,000 (members) like some of the other clubs it just gives us a bigger bargaining chip when we sit down with Etihad and the AFL and everybody else for that matter about getting more home games at the 'G.
"So it's a big year for us."
Swann said increased exposure to blockbuster games with near capacity crowds at the MCG would benefit the team and the club's bottom line.
"Etihad has been fantastic. But if we want to get back up the ladder and playing deep into finals, the MCG is the place where all those big games are and the big crowds are, and we want to be part of it as often as we can," he said.
"When we play big blockbusters we nearly fill the place (MCG), so to get there more regularly will help us with membership and sponsorship and everything else that comes with it. Financially it's a better equation for us."
Swan said MCG powerbrokers were supportive of the Blues' pitch.
Collingwood, Melbourne, Hawthorn and Richmond are the MCG's tenant clubs.
The Blues have a 10-year agreement to play six games a season at Etihad.
Swan yesterday welcomed the Mars extension, which secures its place on the front of the Carlton jumper for away games and the back for home games.
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