Former Carlton coach Michael Voss has tipped interim mentor Josh Fraser to be put through the formal selection process for the Blues' next full-time senior coach, despite the cautionary tale of the 'Teague Train' experience.
Fraser's compelling case
Despite immediately ruling himself out of the role when taking over from Voss in May, former Collingwood ruckman Fraser is building a strong case to continue beyond this season. Carlton appeared in an unsalvageable hole at 1-8, but have surged into wildcard contention following five consecutive wins under Fraser.
West Coast premiership coach Adam Simpson has joined a selection panel alongside Carlton chief executive Graham Wright, football boss Chris Davies, and club president Rob Priestley to choose the next senior coach.
Learning from the Teague Train
Carlton's leaders are wary of repeating the 2019 experience when interim coach David Teague won the job full-time after a strong finish following Brendon Bolton's sacking. Teague lasted just two seasons before being sacked at the end of 2021, paving the way for Voss.
In his first interview since stepping down in May, Voss told 3AW on Wednesday: "The only reason you don't entertain it is a fear of recurrence, we don't go for it (an interim coach) again because it didn't work in the past. I'd be surprised if he (Fraser) wasn't put through the process, at the very least."
Voss opens up on emotions
Voss, who returns to football as a Fox Footy commentator on Thursday night, admitted watching Carlton's resurgence has been bittersweet. "Some of it's difficult to watch because you're not there. You've invested five years of your time and effort, sweat, blood, tears into that group. On another level, it's hugely rewarding," he said.
The Brisbane Lions premiership legend was emphatic about not wanting to coach again.
Players rally behind Fraser
Rising Carlton star Jagga Smith praised Fraser's influence. Smith, one of the Blues' boom young guns alongside defender Harry Dean, has begun playing the football expected of him after returning from an ACL injury.
"He (Fraser) will make a great senior coach one day. He's been amazing for us players. He has the sort of values and qualities that would make a good senior coach. He's very level-headed, keeps it very simple, and us players love playing for him," Smith said at the AFL's launch of Kids Footy Month on Wednesday.
Smith revealed Fraser's three-quarter-time challenge inspired a memorable 23-point win over GWS on Saturday, with the Giants kept goalless in the final term. "(Fraser) said we couldn't have scripted this any better. They (Giants) had the momentum, and it was a really good test for us players to see if we could stop the momentum and get it going our way. I thought Josh's messaging to the players was amazing," Smith added.
Road ahead
Carlton will start strong favourites in their next two games against West Coast and Richmond, aiming for seven consecutive wins for the first time since their memorable 2023 run.
