7NEWS.com.au can confirm Carlton has had a subtle board change.

Carlton say Marcus Clarke stepped off the board at the AGM in February.

Clarke’s departure hasn’t been widely reported, and not advertised by the club.

Many industry insiders still thought Clarke was still a director.

Clarke, a prominent barrister, was recently seen at the Collingwood Carlton Presidents Lunch, and represented Dale Thomas at the AFL tribunal.

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Carlton captain Patrick Cripps led by example as the Blues fought back to beat Brisbane. Credit: AAP

7NEWS.com.au can confirm his departure has nothing to do with the Blues’ high-profile on-field issues.

Instead, as part of good governance, Clarke introduced mandatory maximum 12-year board terms in the Carlton Constitution.

The Barrister reached that milestone in February, before the club’s sacking of coach Brendon Bolton.

Carlton is expected to announce a replacement soon.

Given the Blues current on-field issues, and the high-profile nature of their board, the replacement is likely to attract some publicity.

Clarke has been on the board for all of current President Mark LoGiudice’s period, serving in part as the board ‘legal eagle’, advising the club on complex issues like when they parted company with Mick Malthouse.