Carlton have posted a loss of $900,000 in what the AFL club describes as one of the most challenging years in their history.

In a statement released on Saturday, the Blues said a number of factors contributed to the result including the decline in venues’ net contribution, an extraordinarily high number of player injury payments and costs associated with restructuring the football and administration department to position Carlton for growth.

• Eagles re-sign Adam Simpson until 2019
• Talias cleared by AFL leak investigation

“In addition, Carlton does not receive any special AFL funding distributions and continues to pay equalisation tax, which totalled $250,000 in 2015 and will increase to $330,000 in 2016.”

The result, for the financial year ending October 31, mirrors the Blues’ poor season to finish equal last with Brisbane after only four wins.

Carlton president Mark LoGiudice said while it had been a challenging year, the foundations were in place for the Blues to build for the future.

“Aside from our win-loss record, there are other factors that led to this result, but the board and management have meticulously reviewed the club’s operations and Carlton members should be optimistic about our future.

“Our management team is committed to returning Carlton to a financial surplus during 2016, this will be through strong cost control and growing traditional and non-traditional revenue streams … we have initiated a review of Ikon Park and will next year release an exciting master plan to ensure its future,” LoGiudice said.