The situation at Carlton has taken a dramatic turn, raising concerns about the future of key personnel, including coach Michael Voss. Following their recent defeat to North Melbourne, Voss finds himself under intense scrutiny from fans who are questioning his tenure. The Blues currently sit two games out of the top eight and appear distanced from the league’s elite teams, with a tough upcoming schedule featuring Port Adelaide, Collingwood, Brisbane, and Hawthorn.
With finals prospects dwindling for a side that entered the season with high hopes, Richmond legend Matthew Richardson has suggested that Carlton may need to consider trading one of their star players for draft capital to infuse younger talent into the team. He identified key forward Harry McKay as a prime candidate for trade, noting that clubs are often eager to acquire a strong forward.
Presently, Carlton lacks a first-round pick, having traded it in a previous deal. However, should ruckman Tom De Koning leave for St Kilda, the club would secure a top draft pick in compensation. The recent loss to North Melbourne was particularly hard to stomach for supporters, as the team conceded 12 goals in the middle quarters—a performance that Essendon great Matthew Lloyd deemed “embarrassing.” He highlighted the consistent issues the team has faced, with poor performances against other struggling clubs.
Voss’s future will likely be reassessed at the end of the season, especially as new chief Graham Wright will expect improvement after a year of underachievement. Prominent AFL journalist Damien Barrett suggested that Voss will need to address the club’s issues quickly to secure his position.
Brad Lloyd, Carlton’s head of football, stressed that the current inconsistency cannot solely rest on Voss’s shoulders, acknowledging the collective responsibility of the coaching staff and players. He admitted the team has not met expectations and emphasised the need for resilience moving forward. As Carlton seeks to rebound, there remains hope for improvement, but time is running out to turn their season around.