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They did not wish to talk about Vossโs position, on the grounds that it did not serve anyoneโs interests – least of all the coachโs – to do so. But privately, the message was that the hierarchy had not even discussed Vossโs position – he was coaching on, and they would not respond to external noise.
Voss has a contract for 2026, but this wouldnโt necessarily be his salvation if Graham Wright, the incoming CEO who has been reviewing the clubโs football operations, decided Voss wasnโt the right man to coach next year.
Carltonโs loss to North Melbourne prompted some booing from fans. But the result, while a genuine upset, wasnโt so shocking when you examine the weeds of each teamโs personnel and fitness.
No one in a decision-making position at Carlton would argue with the proposition that the Blues rely heavily – even excessively – on their top six stars.
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Of that super six, Sam Walsh and Harry McKay were missing (and have had star-crossed seasons), Charlie Curnow has been hampered (and had surgeries pre-season) and wasnโt at his bounding best, and Jacob Weitering hurt his ankle early. Cripps, perhaps under the weight of carrying the midfield as if it was a boulder, has been well below his Olympian standards.
That leaves Tom De Koning, Carltonโs best performed player this year, who had a stinker and could be headed to Moorabbin for a mega contract that the Blues wonโt even try to match.
The Blues lack for quick and reliable small forwards, despite owning about eight of them, and also for repeat speed runners of the Max Holmes kind. Or a smooth mover such as Hugh McCluggage. Who wouldnโt want one like him?
Wright has been up to his neck in list management. By this stage, he will be well versed in their weaknesses and examining the list holes, seeking creative ways to improve a list that also is light on for depth.
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So, whatever becomes of Voss at seasonโs end – and there are some within the club who are confident he will survive – tough decisions on players and some assistant coaches appear certain.
Those calls canโt be made in round 16. What Wright and his team can do, however, is begin planning for 2026 and the years beyond, in the knowledge that they are more than a couple of good players away from prolonged premiership contention.
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