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1956 Summary
After losses in the first two rounds to Essendon and Melbourne (two of the 1955 finalists), Carlton managed to win 6 games in a row between rounds 3 and 8. The Blues would have won 8 in a row if not for a 1 point loss to Geelong in round 9. After round 10, the Blues sat fourth on the ladder, with a game in hand over fifth place.Our strong mid-season form deserted us, and the club could only manage a 3 win, 1 draw and 4 loss record in its last 8 games. Going into the last game of the season, the Blues still clung onto 4th place on the ladder, half a game in front of Footscray. With the last game of the season being the Dogs at Princes Park, the Blues had a strong chance of playing finals football. Unfortunately, Footscray narrowly outscored Carlton in every quarter, resulting in a 17 point win and leapfrogging the Blues for 4th spot.
The season did point to the continued improvement in the club's playing fortunes, showing year-on-year improvement for the club since the low point of 1954. This improvement would continue in 1957, with the club making the finals for the first time since 1952.
Ladder
| Pos | Team | Wins | Draws | Losses | Points | For | Against | % |
| 1 | Melbourne | 16 | 0 | 2 | 64 | 195.259.1429 | 136.163.979 | 146 |
| 2 | Collingwood | 13 | 0 | 5 | 52 | 198.232.1420 | 157.186.1128 | 125.9 |
| 3 | Geelong | 13 | 0 | 5 | 52 | 202.215.1427 | 164.187.1171 | 121.9 |
| 4 | Footscray | 11 | 0 | 7 | 44 | 183.225.1323 | 163.181.1159 | 114.2 |
| 5 | Carlton | 10 | 1 | 7 | 42 | 179.230.1304 | 154.223.1147 | 113.7 |
| 6 | Essendon | 10 | 0 | 8 | 40 | 176.252.1308 | 185.255.1365 | 95.8 |
| 7 | Hawthorn | 7 | 1 | 10 | 30 | 163.215.1193 | 185.232.1342 | 88.9 |
| 8 | Fitzroy | 7 | 0 | 11 | 28 | 164.206.1190 | 184.228.1332 | 89.3 |
| 9 | Sth Melbourne | 6 | 1 | 11 | 26 | 169.196.1210 | 191.228.1374 | 88.1 |
| 10 | Richmond | 6 | 0 | 12 | 24 | 183.179.1277 | 203.253.1471 | 86.8 |
| 11 | St Kilda | 4 | 1 | 13 | 18 | 165.180.1170 | 191.184.1330 | 88 |
| 12 | Nth Melbourne | 3 | 0 | 15 | 12 | 144.174.1038 | 208.243.1491 | 69.6 |
People of 1956
Coach: Jim FrancisCaptain: Ken Hands
Vice Captain: Laurie Kerr
Leading goal scorer: Kevan Hamilton - 22 goals
President: Sir Sir Kenneth Luke, previously Carlton's President for the past 18 years, is appointed as VFL President. His position is taken over at Carlton by Horrie Clover.
Milestones
Debuts: Maurie Pope, Brian Buckley, Ross Ousley, Kevan Hamilton, Max Ellis, Don Nicholls, Ron O'Dwyer, Kevin Clarke, Vic Garra, Keith Robinson
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