Carlton backed in Voss, but other staff are under the microscope as the Blues try to do a Richmond

Carlton’s decision to stand by embattled coach Michael Voss for the 2026 season has moved the spotlight to other key members of the football department.

Voss’ job is safe after the club backed him after weeks of speculation fuelled by the president’s assertion in June that a call would be made at the end of the season.

However, incoming CEO Graham Wright is known as an agent of change and Voss was not the only football figure under pressure during a season that has fallen well short of expectations.

The departments of football boss Brad Lloyd and list manager Nick Austin are set to be scrutinised by Wright along with the position of veteran recruiter Michael Agresta.

The team’s three line coaches; Aaron Hamill, Tim Clarke and Jordan Russell are also under Wright’s microscope, according to two club sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Wright will be keen to ensure Voss has the best possible support around him as he enters the final year of his contract.

The decision has echoes of Richmond’s call to back in Damien Hardwick at the end of a horror 2016 season, and Collingwood’s decision to stick with Nathan Buckley in 2017.

The Tigers won the first of three premierships under Hardwick in 2017, while Buckley coached the Magpies to the 2018 grand final. There was a similar result at Geelong where the top brass backed Mark ‘Bomber’ Thompson in 2006, on the way to the 2007 flag.

Wright will be hoping the decision to endorse the senior coach results in a similar, significant climb up the ladder.

He has been monitoring the football department since arriving at the Blues as the successor to CEO Brian Cook. The former Hawthorn and Collingwood administrator officially starts as CEO next Friday and has mostly kept his longer-term plans to himself, careful to limit his conversations even with senior staff to day-to-day, operational matters.

“The Carlton Football Club can today confirm with absolute clarity that its AFL senior coach Michael Voss will remain coach of the Blues into the 2026 AFL season,” the Blues said in a statement on Thursday afternoon.

The decision eases the immediate pressure on Voss, but the coach’s position will remain a major talking point heading into the final year of his contract next season.

There is still uncertainty over many key figures in the football department. Ruckman Tom De Koning and third-generation Blue Jack Silvagni are expected to leave as free agents, while several assistant coaches will learn their fates in the coming days.

Wright, made a presentation to the directors during a marathon board meeting on Wednesday night where he recommended Voss should remain at the helm. It was unanimously accepted by the board, the Blues said.

Wright, a former football boss at Hawthorn and Collingwood, has consulted with players, coaches and staff in the past eight weeks to assess the underperforming club’s football program.

“We were clear following round 16 that we would utilise these remaining games to make calm, rational and fully informed decisions that will take our football club forward and that is what we will continue to do,” Carlton president Rob Priestley said.

“The first of these has been in relation to our senior coach, which we are now in a position to provide clarity on following last night’s scheduled board meeting.

“Last night, Graham presented a recommendation to the board of directors that Michael remains as our senior coach into next season.

“This recommendation was unanimously endorsed by the board.”

A club with a reputation of ruthlessly sacking coaches, the Blues’ faith in Voss will come as a surprise to large sections of their supporter base angered by the club’s poor performance this year.

Cook declared in March the Blues’ ambitions to finish in the top four, but the season has continued spiralling since a shock loss to then wooden-spoon favourites Richmond in round one.

Vandals sprayed graffiti on the walls of the club’s headquarters at Princes Park calling for the removal of the board, list manager Nick Austin, football boss Brad Lloyd but the retention of Voss.

Priestley praised Voss for his leadership as the pressure mounted with every loss.

“For the last few months Graham and Michael have been meeting regularly, during which time they have been engaged in open and honest dialogue with one another on what is required for us to evolve as a football side,” Priestley said.

“Michael’s ability to lead our football club this year in the face of incredible pressure has displayed the attributes of a strong and selfless leader.

“Carlton always comes first for our coach, and Graham and Michael share a clear and aligned view on the opportunities to improve football performance.

“We want to make it absolutely clear that Michael Voss is the coach of the Carlton Football Club and he will remain the coach of the Carlton Football Club.”

Carlton had a scheduled board meeting on Wednesday night and major agenda items, including the future of Voss and his assistant coaches, were discussed over the course of nearly five hours.

Priestley had declared six weeks ago that Voss would coach out the year but could not guarantee his job going into 2026.

Voss was appointed Carlton coach at the end of the 2021 season, four weeks after the impatient club axed David Teague. Voss was the Blues’ fifth coach within nine years.

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