Call for Blues change 'ASAP' as Cripps holds fast
Lance Franklin thinks change must come "ASAP" at Carlton and has predicted coach Michael Voss will not see out the AFL season.
But Blues captain Patrick Cripps separately called for calm on Monday, expressing confidence Carlton will find their way out of their mess.
The jungle drums are beating and the Blues faithful are in uproar after Saturday's upset 11-point loss to North Melbourne, which left Voss's side two games plus percentage outside the top eight.
Ahead of Carlton's must-win away game on Thursday against Port Adelaide, Franklin was the first high-profile AFL figure to call time on the Voss reign.
"I don't think he sees out the year. They've got a pretty good list ... a big issue is the messaging is not getting through to the players," the Hawthorn and Sydney great said on the Buddy and Shane Show podcast.
"There needs to be change. It needs to happen ASAP. It will probably happen in the next few weeks.
"They've been absolutely terrible. There are going to be some big question marks on Vossy and whether he probably holds his job.
"Something needs to change at that club, whether it's Vossy moving on, whether they trade out some players. There's something going on internally."
Elsewhere, there is more of a "wait and see" attitude about what happens at Carlton, with the transition to Graham Wright as their new chief executive later this year a key feature.
Speculation is rife about Voss's future, but also over what happens to Carlton's football department and whether players such as ruckman Tom De Koning will leave after this season.
Cripps is adamant the Blues are united and will stay that way.
"It's the most important time to stay together and stay united. For a lot of years we've had that 'stronger together' mindset," Cripps told reporters.
"It's easy to do that when we're winning. It's bloody hard to do it when you have some tough losses.
"My message would be the same, we're sticking fat together. We'll turn it around. It's going to take a lot of work and a lot of effort."
Cripps was asked whether the Blues should be much further advanced than this new crisis, two years after reaching a preliminary final.
"Without a doubt," he said, "but at the same time, when does life always go to plan? It's not linear.
"I've never had a year where it's all gone to plan and it's been smooth sailing. Even the year we did get on a roll, we were 4-8 (plus a draw at the start of 2023).
"If we knew the outcome, the whole journey wouldn't be fun. Don't get me wrong - I don't want to be in the position, but I'm also realistic that we'll find our way out."
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