DO CHERT Y: BLUES READY FOR NEXT STEP

SAM Docherty returning to football in 2020 was a good news story after back-to-back knee reconstructions, and the Carlton co-captain has also signed a contract extension.

Docherty, who was already contracted for next season, has extended his deal until the end of2023.

The 26-year-old, who missed the entire 2018 and 2019 seasons, missed just one game in 2020 as a key plan kin a solid Carlton back line.

The Blues missed the finals, but Docherty said he had “enormous belief” in the club. “I’ve been at the football club for seven season snow, I think I speak for every player in our group when I say that it is time to translate our hard work into success ,” Doc herty said.

“I have enormous belief in the way we are going about it, our hunger, our competitive edge, the standards we have set — that has all gone to a new level.

“And we are seeing the results of that.

“There are no guarantees for the next few years except for the fact we will be doing everything we possibly can to achieve success for our members and supporters .” ADELAIDE has announced the first piece of Matthew Nicks’ new coaching line-up, with one of the men he beat to the senior coach position now his assistant.

The Crows have announced that Scott Burns will join the club for the 2021 as a senior assistant coach.

As the first wave of player delistings was also revealed by the club, with Riley Knight, Patrick Wilson and Ayce Taylor told they would not be receiving new deals, the Crows announced the first part of their plan to give Nicks more support in the coaching box.