Series
The 30-year Blues
Thirty years on from Carlton’s last premiership, our three-part investigation examines how they turned from a power club into one that won wooden spoons rather than finals.
- The 30-year Blues
- For subscribers
‘An absolute nightmare’: Sacked Carlton coaches reveal the depth of turmoil during dark era
Carlton’s 30-year premiership drought is second only to St Kilda among clubs that joined the competition before 1995. This is the first of a three-part investigation into why one of the AFL’s biggest clubs has been starved of success.
- Jake Niall
- The 30-year Blues
Politics, pokies and power: The secret meetings and messy exits among Carlton’s elite
It’s 30 years since Carlton’s most recent flag. In the second part of an in-depth investigation, we reveal a secret approach to a master coach from the house of Raheen.
- Jake Niall
- 30-year Blues
‘Without fear or favour’: Ex-Carlton bosses disagree on Silvagni exit
In a year in which the Blues celebrate the 30th anniversary of their 1995 premiership, SOS – the full-back of the century who eclipsed both Wayne Carey and Gary Ablett snr in the ’95 finals – remains in exile from the club that is synonymous with his family.
- Jake Niall
‘An absolute nightmare’
Denis Pagan explains the turmoil at Carlton during his time there as coach.
‘That was the end’
Mick Malthouse on when he knew his time was up as Carlton coach.
Other series
Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2026
This year’s laugh fest has kicked off, with more than 2000 performers stepping up to the mic. Here, our writers take a closer look
- 10 stories
Hate of origin: Inside football’s most intense rivalry
Essendon and Hawthorn have hated each other for more than 40 years, from some old-fashioned thuggery and a fake drug scandal in the mid-80s to last year’s failed bid by the Hawks to poach the Bombers’ captain.
- 5 stories