AFL 2025: Goalkicking great Lance Franklin calls for urgent change at Carlton
AFL great Lance Franklin has urged Carlton to swing the axe on embattled coach Michael Voss 'ASAP'.
The Blues went down to the Kangaroos by 11 points on Saturday afternoon – a stunning 93-point turnaround from their Good Friday win in the earlier fixture.
The defeat has increased pressure on Voss, prompting captain Patrick Cripps to throw his support behind the Carlton coach on Monday morning.
But Franklin sees the situation differently, saying the Blues aren't getting the best out of their list and need urgent change.
'I'm going to put this out there, I know this is a big call, I don't think he sees out the year,' Franklin told The Buddy and Shane Show.
'I think they've got a pretty good list, I do, I think the issue is the messaging is not getting through to the players.
'I think there needs to be change and we've said it before, we're all about the players and coaches, but I think this is a change that needs to happen and it needs to happen ASAP because the messaging is not getting through.
'All of the Carlton supporters would probably say the same. I'm probably speaking on behalf of them. I think there needs to be a change and it'll probably happen in the next few weeks is my tip.
'It's a big call, but that's what I think will happen.'
Cripps defended Voss, saying there needed to be greater responsibility on the players.
'I couldn't speak highly enough of Vossy as a coach, also as a mentor and a friend,' Cripps said.
'He puts a lot of work into it along with the whole (coaching group) … that group's very aligned.
'We're in it together – we're not going to point blame at anyone else, we're going to take complete ownership, especially as players.
'(Voss) has done a great job for us for a long time now, and I feel like as players, we need to aim up a bit more.'
The Blues went into round 15 with a shot at moving closer the top eight but left the MCG to a chorus of boos from their own supporters.
Cripps said Carlton was at its best when it was 'stronger together' and pleaded for the frustrated fans to 'buy in and get behind' the Blues.
'I don't want to divide us versus the fans – I feel like it's really important we stay together,' Cripps said.
'When times are tough, it's the most important time to stay together and stay united.
'For a lot of years now, we've had that 'stronger together' mindset, and it's easy to do that when we're winning … it's bloody hard to do that when you're having tough losses.
'We're sticking fat together … buy in and get behind us, we'll turn it around. It's going to take a lot of work and a lot of effort, but we're going to stay united.'
Carlton has a short turnaround between games with Port Adelaide on the road this Thursday night.
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