By Jake Niall
Carlton’s public guarantee that Michael Voss would coach the Blues in 2024, as contracted, has helped the team’s on field turnaround, according to the club’s chief executive.
Brian Cook said the Blues players had responded positively to the club’s public statements – from himself and president Luke Sayers – that Voss would coach next year.
Blues coach Michael Voss with his skipper Patrick Cripps after last Friday’s win over Collingwood.Credit: Getty Images
“And that’s been communicated to us by all sorts of people, including the players,” Cook told this masthead.
Cook said Voss’s contract and position was never questioned at board level. “It [the contract] was always going to be honoured. It was never even discussed at board level.”
Voss was under enormous external pressure in the middle of a six-game losing streak that had the Blues, at one point, down the ladder in 15th with only four wins and a draw and eight losses.
Sayers guaranteed that Voss would coach next year – fulfilling the three-year contract he arrived at the club on – after the club’s 28-point loss to Collingwood in round 10, when the team’s confidence and performance were in freefall.
The Blues have won their past six games, including wins over premiership contenders Port Adelaide and Collingwood.
Five of those victories have been by more than eight goals as they’ve moved into seventh position on the ladder, now with potential to climb higher in the final four rounds.
Asked if he felt that guaranteeing Voss’s position for 2024 helped the players in their turnaround, Cook said: “I think that’s right. Luke [Sayers] and I have always supported Voss and the coaching team.
“But it was timing of when we came out and said that [that helped]. We were really committed to supporting the coaches.”
Carlton CEO Brian Cook says stability has helped the Blues turn around their season.Credit: Chris Hopkins
Cook pointed out that the playing group had endured reviews and uncertainty before Voss’ appointment. “They weren’t up for another one [review],” he said.
Cook, who arrived at Carlton after highly successful stints as CEO of West Coast and then Geelong over more than 30 years, said senior coaches needed a level of support that matched their accountability.
“When this focus is with ultra-accountability, you’ve got to give ultra-support. That’s what I’ve learned over many years,” he said.
After the Collingwood loss, Sayers said the club’s goal remained to play finals but that Voss would coach the Blues next year even if they failed in that quest.
“Absolutely. ‘Vossy’ is our coach through to the end of next year,” the president said.
“Michael Voss has been a tremendous asset for this football club and we’re looking forward to doing great things with him in the future.”
Cook said the Blues had 10 or 11 players out of contract for next year. He reiterated that the club would focus on the draft this off-season.
“We’ll be in the draft and we may pick up a free agent,” he said.
Cook and Sayers were under fire when club benefactor and gaming magnate Bruce Mathieson unloaded on the Blues and its leadership during the slump.
Long-time board member Craig Mathieson, a nephew of the billionaire magnate, quit the club board after a verbal exchange with Sayers in the rooms following the round 11 loss to the Swans.
Carlton has sacked senior coaches David Teague, Brendan Bolton and Mick Malthouse since 2015, none of them lasting more than three-and-a-half seasons.
The Blues are on track to play finals for the first time since 2013 if they hold their position in the eight.
Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter.