CARLTON says it is determined to rebuild the Navy Blue army after its home attendances this year fell to the lowest level since the club’s wooden-spoon days.

The Blues’ 2015 fixture features a dream start with home MCG clashes against Richmond, Essendon and Collingwood in the first five rounds.

Carlton chief executive Stephen Trigg said boosting attendances was a priority and more significant than a membership rise.

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This year’s home crowd average of 39,461 was the lowest since the 16th-placed side of 2006 attracted an average of 33,681.

Trigg said with coach Mick Malthouse’s Round 5 record 715-game milestone against the Magpies, six MCG home games and the early blockbusters, the Blues wanted fans to flock to the ’G.

“You can talk about the membership number, but the real emphasis for me is about driving attendances and this fixture gives us every opportunity to do that,’’ he said.

“There are some Thursday and Friday night games, but we are returning to the timeslots which give us that opportunity to maximise attendances.’’

The Blues have six Saturday afternoon games, three on Sunday afternoons and six on Friday nights.

The prioritising of attendance growth over membership is part of the AFL’s focus for clubs next year.

It believes clubs have come close to maximising the money they can make from memberships while attendances remain untapped.

Western Bulldogs averaged only 22,226 supporters at home games this year and St Kilda 23,296 fans.

The Blues will increase their recruiting department spending with Stephen Silvagni expected to return to the club.

But Trigg said no deal had been done yet.

“We remain committed to better resourcing the whole list management area, but exactly who, how and when is a work in progress,’’ he said.

“I don’t want to speculate about Stephen or anyone else.”