AFL Great Matthew Lloyd Highlights Potential Coaching Changes at Carlton
AFL legend Matthew Lloyd has suggested that the mid-season bye could be a pivotal moment for Carlton’s coach, Michael Voss, as pressure on him continues to mount. With the spotlight intensifying on Voss, many are wondering if this period could lead to a significant shift in the club’s coaching structure.
Voss was previously supported by Blues officials last August, with the promise that he would see out at least the final year of his contract in 2026. However, the 50-year-old is now facing an uphill battle to turn around the team’s performance after another disappointing second-half collapse in their recent loss to St Kilda.
Carlton (1-7) are currently on a six-match losing streak ahead of a challenging interstate trip to face reigning premiers Brisbane on Friday night. Following that, the Blues will take on the Western Bulldogs, Port Adelaide (away), Geelong, and Essendon before their bye.
“It will be movement time then,” said Bombers goal-kicking legend Lloyd on AFL.com.au. “You just wonder if another club goes or another club’s considering (changing their coach), Carlton will have to make their move. I feel like it’s been a wasted year at Carlton though. With the moves they made and losing the key players they did – (Charlie) Curnow, (Tom) De Koning, (Jack) Silvagni – he (Voss) never really stood a chance.”
Carlton’s poor start to the season marks their worst since a 1-10 opening to the 2019 campaign, which ultimately led to Brendon Bolton being replaced as coach. Voss has faced questions about his future following the St Kilda defeat, but he has chosen not to speculate on his own position.
“I will go home, I will have a look at the game, review it and I’ll turn up on Monday,” Voss said. “I’ll be really clear on what we need to be able to get after, and then we dive into the week, and we find those marginal things to be able to get better next week. What circles around it is not for me to speculate on. What we will do is get after what need to be able to get better at.”
Carlton’s on-field leaders have also come under scrutiny, with Lloyd expressing concerns over captain Patrick Cripps’ ability to keep up with the increasing pace of the game this season. Cripps had just 14 disposals and two clearances against St Kilda, who dominated the Blues’ midfield in a match-winning third-quarter blitz.
However, the two-time Brownlow medallist had shown promise just one week earlier, recording 31 touches and 11 clearances in the loss to Fremantle.
“The game evolves so quickly and so fast … he gets caught and he probably tries to do too much at times,” Lloyd said. “George Hewett has lost his spot in the side because they can’t carry Cripps and Hewett in the same team. The game has moved to Shai Bolton and (Kysiah) Pickett and Hayden Young and all these guys … and he just doesn’t have that explosive power. It’s worrying signs for him and Carlton right now.”
