Carlton coach Michael Voss finds himself under immense pressure following the team’s unexpected loss to North Melbourne last Saturday. Former Essendon captain Matthew Lloyd has now shifted focus onto Carlton’s leadership group, including captain Patrick Cripps. On the show Footy Classified, Lloyd expressed his doubts about the effectiveness of the Blues’ senior players, urging them to step up their game.
Carlton’s leadership comprises Cripps, alongside vice-captains Jacob Weitering, Sam Walsh, and Charlie Curnow. Lloyd remarked on the caliber of these players, questioning whether they exert the same influence on the field and in the locker room as the leaders at clubs like Collingwood. He compared Carlton’s leadership to that of Collingwood’s, citing players like Scott Pendlebury and Darcy Moore as benchmarks for effective leadership.
Despite Carlton’s ambitions—expressed by CEO Brian Cook to finish in the top four by 2025—the team currently sits 10th on the ladder, with a disappointing record of six wins and eight losses over the season. Notably, they have now lost 15 of their last 23 matches dating back to last season.
Lance Franklin, a Hawthorn legend, echoed the sentiment of the need for change within Carlton, suggesting on his podcast that a coaching change should happen immediately. Lloyd added that while young players like Walsh have promise, their leadership skills are still developmentally uncertain, particularly for Curnow and Harry McKay. He acknowledged Cripps’ strong performance history but cautioned that he may not yet be on par with the top leaders from other clubs.
Jimmy Bartel, a former Geelong captain, highlighted the importance of ensuring that senior players are not content with individual success alone. He stressed the need for the group to collectively elevate their performance for a chance at premiership success, cautioning against the risk of a career marked by personal accolades rather than team achievements.
Carlton’s next challenge is against Port Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday night, marking the beginning of round 16. The stakes are high as the Blues aim to restore credibility amid calls for a more robust leadership approach.