Carlton Coach Michael Voss Highlights Team Improvements
Carlton coach Michael Voss has emphasized that his team is showing signs of progress, using the recent narrow loss to Fremantle as evidence of their development. The Blues faced a Fremantle side known for its strong scoring ability, solid defense, and dynamic midfield, but ultimately fell short by less than three goals.
Voss was particularly pleased with his team’s ability to make adjustments during the game and address key issues as they arose. He noted that every time the team was challenged, they responded effectively.
“Every time we were challenged, we responded,” he said after the match. “This game doesn’t always go your way, but you can choose your response. And what I felt we did right throughout the week is we gave that response.
“We couldn’t get our hands on the ball from stoppages early … we responded. We had some centre square bounce [goals] kicked against us. We responded. Last quarter, they put a few minutes on, we could have given up. We responded.
“We’re a much better version of ourselves than what we were a month ago. But clearly we’re at the point where a good team like Fremantle can flex, and we just can’t minimize that scoring damage.”
Family Matters Influence Team Decisions
After a tough week for his family, utility player Ollie Hollands was withdrawn from the clash and was replaced by Matt Cottrell. Voss discussed this decision and the importance of the support a football club can provide to one of its own, speaking candidly in the aftermath of the loss.
“It’s been a big week for everyone, and a big week for the family. He wanted to play. He’s an absolute competitor, (but) we just felt with how the week has played out, it’d be better to maybe sit this one out,” Voss said on Saturday night.
“He’s in a good space, but we obviously felt like it was probably the better way to go. It was important to be around his mates. Football clubs are amazing like that. We can talk a lot about what’s happened, but football clubs and how we embrace our people and how we look after our people is the thing you love.
“Having that sense of belonging to someone and something … it was probably a good opportunity for us to be able to travel to be honest and come away as a football team with a mission.”
Emphasizing Team Values and Conduct
“This was a really important game for us to get a response. It’s fine to talk about what we stand for as a football club, but at the end of the day, when we walk on that grass, how we conduct ourselves is very, very important,” Voss said.
The Blues will face St Kilda on Saturday night, with Hollands expected to be among the players included. Other key players, such as Harry McKay and Marc Pittonet, are also in line to return to the lineup.
Looking Ahead
With the upcoming match against St Kilda, the focus will be on maintaining the momentum built over the past few weeks. Voss’s emphasis on resilience and adaptability will be crucial as the team aims to build on their recent performances.
The coach’s comments highlight not only the team’s growing strength but also the importance of unity and support within the club. As the season progresses, these values will continue to shape the Blues’ approach on and off the field.
