Latest news with #CarltonBlues
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rival AFL player breaks ranks with eye-opening statement about Steven May
Carlton star Patrick Cripps has declared he "doesn't understand" what the AFL wants Steven May to do differently when two players are contesting the ball. The AFL Tribunal handed May a three-game ban on Wednesday night for his brutal collision with Blues player Francis Evans. The Melbourne Demons star was found guilty of rough conduct for his bump that concussed Evans and left the Carlton forward with a broken nose and a chipped tooth. May's lawyers used a biomechanics expert to calculate he had only 0.56 seconds from the ball's final bounce until the moment of the collision. Biomechanist Daniel Cottam from the Australian Institute of Sport said the premiership defender would have needed at least 0.2 to 0.25 seconds to react properly to avoid the collision. "The time available to him to perceive and react to a complex scenario is not sufficient for him to adapt and avoid contact," Cottam said in his findings submitted as evidence for the tribunal hearing. May said he was shocked when Evans got the ball first because he was certain it would be him. But AFL Tribunal chairman Jeff Gleeson decided May did have ample time to realise there was a big chance he wouldn't arrive first. "The most he could have hoped was that he would arrive at about the same time as Evans," Gleeson said. "It was far more likely that he would reach the ball after Evans. As he gathered the ball, Evans had time to position his body just slightly so as to turn slightly away from May. "This gives some indication that May had sufficient time to make some attempt to move his body in a way that minimised or avoided the impact limits. May made no attempt to change his path, his body position or his velocity at any time leading up to or in the contest." Patrick Cripps and AFL world divided on Steven May ban Before the hearing, Evans' Carlton teammate Cripps broke ranks and questioned how May could have approached things differently. "I felt like both of them were trying to contest the ball," Cripps said on the 'On the Inside' podcast. "You never want to see a player get injured but I don't understand what we want players to do. If that's a grand final and (May) hesitates and Franky gets the ball, what do you do?" RELATED: New blow for Collingwood as important player sidelined for weeks Nick Daicos offers explanation amid Kane Cornes' Brownlow theory Discussing the verdict on Fox Footy afterwards, Former Hawthorn player Ben Dixon labelled it a "rubbish" decision. "Eight inches that ball bounces the other way, Steven May gets that ball,' he said. But David King replied: 'You're arguing that's eight inches. The AFL is arguing the decision to be absolutely going flat-chat with a collision inevitable, you have to make sure you miss the head. When you know contact (is inevitable) … you have a duty of care. 'What happens from here, you make your own decisions … the AFL are clearly saying the game has changed and you now have to assess your role and the duty of care to the opposition from there forward. I fundamentally agree with that. If you're out of control when arriving - having made that decision - you're in trouble, which I think is a good thing for the game, personally.' But Dixon countered: 'So what they're saying now is we've got a contact sport into a caution sport. You've got to approach that with caution … that's the fabric of our game.'
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Carlton determined to send Docherty off a winner
Carlton coach Michael Voss is hoping Sam Docherty's "powerful legacy" can inspire the Blues in their beloved former captain's 184th and final AFL game. While Carlton's finals hopes are over, they will be desperate to upset Hawthorn at the MCG on Thursday night and send Docherty off a winner. Star defender Jacob Weitering, a close friend of Docherty, will also be celebrated when he lines up for his 200th game. It's a special one tomorrow you at the 'G 💫 — Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) July 23, 2025 Docherty has defied major adversity in his life to be an integral part of Carlton's past decade, also becoming one of the most popular and respected players in the AFL. Voss has a special bond with the 31-year-old, having drafted him at the end of 2011 to become his first AFL coach at Brisbane. Docherty had three coaches at Carlton - Mick Malthouse, Brendon Bolton and David Teague - before he was reunited with Voss in late 2021 as he was battling testicular cancer for a second time. "Reconnecting with him ... he was white and bald and dealing with a really big life challenge," Voss said of Docherty's chemotherapy. "Telling me he was going to play round one three months later, which I was more than happy to agree with but silently thinking 'no chance', but he did it." Docherty's remarkable return for round one of the 2022 season, just nine months after starting chemotherapy, will go down as the defining moment of his career and one of the most inspiring in the AFL this century. "Every time he set himself with that task, he's been able to do it," Voss said. "There's some sort of resolve in there that not many have, and he's been able to dig deep a lot of times and find something extra. "(The round one game against Richmond) it felt like one of the rare times the whole stadium comes together as one and it didn't matter who you barracked for, it was about that moment and that person. "You don't get too many times in football and your career when you experience that, but that felt like a real powerful moment when he kicked that goal, and I think we were all standing up and barracking at that time." "'Crip'. I'm sorry we don't get to share that moment together... I love ya."When breaking the news to the team, Sam Docherty had this emotional message for great mate Patrick Cripps... yep 🥺Full version to come. #ThankYouDoc — Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) July 22, 2025 Calling Docherty's Tuesday announcement "one of the better retirement speeches I've heard", Voss described him as "stubborn, resolute, confident". "He won't end on the success that he so dearly wants for this club, that we all want," Voss said. "He should know he leaves with a pretty powerful legacy that we get to build off the back of. "It's pretty significant to be able to see what his journey was at the start." In a boost for Carlton, star forward Harry McKay will return to face the Hawks after missing the past eight weeks with a knee injury. But Voss confirmed star midfielder Sam Walsh will struggle to play again this season as he recovers from a foot injury.
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Key Charlie Curnow move 'has not happened' as 'three options' for Harley Reid emerge
Carlton coach Michael Voss has moved to dismiss drama about Charlie Curnow wanting a move away from Melbourne, while there is more speculation surrounding Harley Reid's future. Reports emerged Curnow was looking to get out of the limelight in Melbourne and seek a move to rivals the Gold Coast Suns for lifestyle reasons. The forward has struggled in recent outings having gone four-straight games without a goal. Although he bounced back to his best kicking three in Carlton's win against Melbourne last Saturday night. The dual-Coleman medallist has signed until the end of 2029, but AAP and other outlets have reported Curnow has spoken to the club about a move. Although under-siege coach Voss has moved to quell drama about their star man. Speaking on Wednesday, Voss said Curnow is contracted to the club and will be playing for the Blues at the start of the 2026 season. "Charlie's a Carlton man and he'll stay a Carlton man," Voss said on Wednesday after the question was put to him. "I'm not sure how much more emphatic I need to be on that. Charlie's a very important person to us, and he'll play out his career here. He's a Carlton person and he'll stay one." Speaking on Tuesday, reporter Tom Morris claimed Curnow had spoken to the club about his desire to get out of the Melbourne lights. 'It's different to an official trade request,' Morris told SEN Radio. 'I don't think Charlie would do that unless he believed he could get out. Clearly that looks unlikely if not highly impossible. 'An official trade request is when if Curnow walked into Wright's office and said 'trade me at the end of the season'. That has not happened. 'Conversations with senior officials at the club during which he has said he would like to play for the Suns (have). It's been communicated back to him - 'don't even try'. Carlton have been forced to shut it down to him directly and to his manager. That must be cause for some concern for supporters. At the very least their star is looking for a move and quite keen on it." Curnow is averaging 1.8 goals per game in 2025, which is down from his career average. Curnow has a stellar record for the club having kicked 311 goals in 148 games for Carlton since his debut in 2016. The 28-year-old's rollercoaster form this season has been reflective of the team's performances so far. Voss has come under plenty of pressure with the club set to miss out on finals footy sitting in 12th and 12 points out of the eight. Incoming chief executive Graham Wright is expected to make changes next year. Harley Reid's 'options' heading into 2026 Meanwhile, Harley Reid's future is a talking point with question marks over his next move. Reid has been doing it tough this year in a West Coast side on an eight-game losing streak. Reports suggest a number of Victorian clubs are chasing the signature of the 20-year-old to bring him home. And reporter Morris believes the superstar has 'three options' going forward. 'There are three options,' he told SEN Radio. 'One is he signs (with the Eagles) now. The second is he asks for a trade in a few months. The third is that he lets next year play out and decides what he wants to do at the end of 2026. The third option won't happen. 'His management aren't going to put him through what Oscar Allen is going through; he's already under the microscope. He will make a decision on his future in the next few months. That will either be to request a trade or sign a shot term deal with an option for extension." West Coast coach Andrew McQualter has admitted it's been a tough run of defeats for the club. Although the coach said he doesn't want the side's struggles to dissuade Reid from sticking around. Reid showcased his talent in the first half against Richmond having tallied 20 disposals and six clearances. But the second-half was a struggle having recorded just four possessions in the third quarter after rival Jack Ross tagged him. Reid has come under pressure in the Eagles' midfield this year and McQualter doesn't want Reid to feel downtrodden after the latest defeat. "We are aware that we've got a 20-year-old carrying our midfield," McQualter said. "It's not an easy position for him. As a team we have to find more people and players and ways to not rely on one person."
Daily Mail
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Footy star Sam Docherty says he feels PRIVILEGED to have been diagnosed with testicular cancer twice - as he makes teammate break down in emotional goodbye
Carlton star Sam Docherty has announced this week's game against Hawthorn will be his 184th and final AFL game - before stating he feels 'privileged' after being diagnosed with testicular cancer twice. And in emotional scenes, the inspirational defender also reduced long-time Blues teammate Patrick Cripps to tears as he thanked the two-time Brownlow medallist for their sporting journey together. 'Unfortunately I don't get that (premiership dream) but I walk away pretty happy and fulfilled with everything else that has happened throughout my career,' Docherty said on AFL 360 on Tuesday. 'I think most people would come into footy and the thought of playing 300 games and winning Brownlow medals and best-and-fairests and All Australians, that's what takes your fancy when you first start. 'I obviously got dealt a set of cards (cancer) that were pretty difficult to play at times. 'The reality is losing my dad made all the personal accolades make sense for me, but my cancer diagnosis changed the goalposts in some ways about what I actually value in my career. 'I feel privileged and lucky to have gone through that in some weird way because I walk out with perspective....I don't think that was the lesson I thought I was going to get when I came to footy, but that is what I've ended up with and I'm very glad I've got it.' When addressing the Carlton playing group about hanging up his boots, Docherty singled out Cripps for his ongoing friendship. 'Crip, sorry mate, we don't get to share that moment together,' Docherty began. 'We've been at this for a long time man. 'From crisis meeting walks on a Sunday to beers and, we've been having this solid goal for a very, very long time man and I love ya. 'I hope you get what you deserve in footy and I hope you get what you're chasing. 'But I want to thank you for everything you've given me. It's been a hell of a journey. 'Hopefully the club can, if you win one, let me roll it out to you, that'd be nice. 'But yeah mate you're an amazing leader, an amazing friend. You've guided me and helped me a hell of a lot over my time so thank you very much.' Docherty made his AFL debut with the Brisbane Lions in 2012, eventually playing 13 games across two seasons. Seeking regular football, he then moved interstate and joined Carlton in 2014, where he has become a fan favourite. In 2020, Docherty was diagnosed with the first of two bouts of testicular cancer, which saw him undergo multiple surgeries and chemotherapy treatment. The father of two made a triumphant return, only to then be sidelined after rupturing his ACL early last season. Against the odds, Docherty returned for the finals, but the Blues were beaten by eventual premiers Brisbane.
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
‘Carlton man': Voss responds to trade bombshell
Carlton coach Michael Voss has poured cold water over a potential Gold Coast move for star forward Charlie Curnow, declaring the star forward was a 'Carlton man' and would stay that way. It was reported on Tuesday night that the dual Coleman Medal winner was open to a move to the Suns for lifestyle reasons. Carlton reportedly shut down the possibility of the move as it braces for the departure of key tall Tom De Koning to St Kilda. Voss was also emphatic on Wednesday that Curnow, who is contracted at the club until the end of 2029, was going to be a Blue for life. 'It's probably just that, it's just speculation for us. Charlie is a Carlton man and he'll stay a Carlton man,' he said. 'I'm not sure how much more emphatic I need to be on that. I appreciate these times of the year and when you're not going so well there's always some speculation on your players. 'But it probably ends there for us … no (haven't spoken to him) because again it's just speculation. 'It's very hard to operate on conversation or even answer something on hearsay … Charlie is a very important person to us and he'll play out his career here – he's a Carlton person and will stay one.' There has been consistent talk about the shake-up incoming chief executive Graham Wright will have on the Blues' football department. But Voss shut that down too, saying Wright's entry into the club will change nothing but 'the names at the desk' when it comes to list management. 'I think the way we operate as football clubs, we tend to have a planned strategy about those things,' he said. 'We've got a list management committee, which I am one man in that (and) so is Graham, as well our list manager as well as our football manager. 'We strategise that out from a long way out and we put that together as a team, that's the way we will continue to do it as we always have. 'As normal, there's no change in the way we're operating, the names at the desk change because Brian moves out and Graham comes in. 'But in terms of how we go about our list management, strategy and build, everyone will have their input at the right time.'
