Latest news with #GrahamWright
ABC News
08-08-2025
- Sport
- ABC News
Carlton coach Michael Voss thanks the club and fans for their support as he stays for 2026
Michael Voss has described receiving Carlton's assurance he will coach the club next year as "hollow joy". After a horror season that placed pressure on his job, the Blues have unanimously backed him to lead into the final season of his contract. A day after a strong statement from Carlton's board, declaring Voss would coach in 2026, he thanked the club and its fans for the support. "It feels a little bit of hollow joy, in some ways," he said at Princes Park on Friday. "There's no contentment in how we've found ourselves here. "There's also gratitude and a privilege to be able to continue to lead this football club. "To be able to attack, not just these last three weeks, but what next season looks like." Graham Wright, who will officially take over as Carlton chief executive from Brian Cook next week, recommended Voss stay on as coach. The Blues board unanimously endorsed the former Hawthorn and Collingwood football boss's view. Wright and Voss have been meeting regularly over recent months to discuss how Carlton can bounce back in 2026. Six weeks ago, president Robert Priestley guaranteed Voss would coach until the end of the season. The board met for five hours on Wednesday, with Voss driving out of the headquarters halfway through to a waiting media pack. "It was like The Truman Show (1998 film) there at one stage," Voss said. "Man has coffee. Man drives out of [Princes] Park. Man turns up training. Man goes to board meeting. "That was a bit strange, and that did probably elevate it a bit." Although Voss is certain to continue, Wright is expected to make significant change around the senior coach. Carlton football boss Brad Lloyd has been in his role since 2018, there for the dismissals of Brendon Bolton in 2019 and David Teague in 2021. There was no mention of Lloyd, or any of Carlton's assistant or development coaches in the statement released by the club on Thursday. "It hasn't been a discussion to this point in time," Voss said when asked if he expected changes. "There might be discussions around what other people are talking about in that space, but it's not our discussions. "We anticipate that once we have the right time and some breathing room we'll start to think about it a bit more, but it's not now." Ahead of a clash with finals-bound Gold Coast at Docklands on Saturday night, the Blues sit 13th with a 7-13 record after beginning the season with premiership aspirations. "The biggest thing for us right now is to move forward," Voss said. "It's not so much about the change for us, it's about where we progress. "There is still plenty to get out of the season, it might not be the outcome we're all after, but there's still things to get out of it." Three-time premiership coach and ABC football analyst Mick Malthouse praised the board's decision in backing Voss. Malthouse, who coached the Blues between 2013 and 2015 before being sacked by the club, spoke to the ABC Sport Daily podcast and was asked whether Voss was capable of bringing his team to the top. "I don't know whether that side's good enough to do that [win a flag]," Malthouse said. "But I take my hat off to the Carlton board — this is probably one of the very few times in recent history where the Carlton board has stood with their coach. Albeit [after] a long meeting, but that doesn't matter. "The end result is that they've stuck to what they've contracted him for, and I think they need to be applauded for their strength. "They were in the finals last year, you don't mysteriously lose your coaching ability. What you do is you lose players, and they lost a lot of players through injury — some of the players didn't come up. "I'm not 100 per cent sure that their team is a premiership side, so there's no use saying is Michael Voss a premiership coach? Because that's not fair to him if his team's not up to it. "I think they are probably at best, at best just inside the eight. At worst they are probably where they are now (thirteenth)." AAP/ABC
The Australian
07-08-2025
- Business
- The Australian
Michael Voss to remain Carlton coach after board backs CEO recommendation
Embattled Carlton coach Michael Voss's future is secure after the club's board endorsed a recommendation from new chief executive Graham Wright that he should be retained for 2026. Contracted until the end of next season, Voss's tenure was put on the table at a club board meeting on Wednesday night amid mounting speculation the Blues could follow Melbourne's lead and look for a new coach. Carlton has won just seven of 20 games this season, failing to meet most expectations, after making finals in 2023 and 2024. But on Thursday afternoon a club statement confirmed Voss was safe for next season. '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 statement said. Michael Voss is safe. Picture:'As communicated by the club in June, incoming CEO Graham Wright has been maximising the final eight weeks of the home and away season to work closely with the football department. 'This has involved clear consultation with players, coaches and staff, producing valuable insights into where the AFL program currently sits, and the necessary steps that need to be taken to take the team forward.' Carlton president Rob Priestley said the club wanted to make 'calm, rational and fully informed decisions' and despite months of poor results backed in Voss. '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,' he said. '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. Voss leaves Ikon Park during the board meeting. Picture: Glenn McFarlane '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. '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.' Voss has been in charge of the Blues since 2022, taking them to the preliminary final in 2023 and the finals again in 2024.
ABC News
07-08-2025
- Sport
- ABC News
Michael Voss 'unanimously endorsed' by Blues board to coach into 2026 AFL season
Carlton coach Michael Voss has been backed to coach into 2026 by incoming Blues chief executive Graham Wright. After a lengthy board meeting at Princes Park on Wednesday, where Voss's position was on the agenda, the Blues have publicly backed him to continue as coach. Wright, who will officially take over from Brian Cook next week, presented to the board at the meeting. "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 in a statement. "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 (Wright) 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. "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. "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." Voss has been under immense pressure following a horror season that will see the Blues miss the finals for the first time since 2022. The Blues have crumbled this year and they sit 13th on the ladder with a 7-13 win-loss record. "Carlton always comes first for our coach, and Graham and Michael share a clear and aligned view on the opportunities to improve football performance," Priestley said. "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 hosts finals-bound Gold Coast at Docklands Saturday night, with Voss to give his weekly media conference on Friday. AAP
News.com.au
07-08-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Michael Voss will remain Carlton coach for 2026 after being endorsed by the board
Embattled Carlton coach Michael Voss has had his future secured after the club's board endorsed a recommendation from new CEO Graham Wright that he should be retained for 2026. Contracted until the end of next season, Voss' tenure was put on the table at a club board meeting on Wednesday night amid mounting speculation the Blues could follow Melbourne's lead and look for a new coach. Carlton has won just seven of 20 games this season, failing to meet most expectations, after making finals in 2023 and 2024. But on Thursday afternoon a club statement confirmed Voss was safe for next season. '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 statement said. 'As communicated by the Club in June, incoming CEO Graham Wright has been maximising the final eight weeks of the home and away season to work closely with the football department. 'This has involved clear consultation with players, coaches and staff, producing valuable insights into where the AFL program currently sits, and the necessary steps that need to be taken to take the team forward.' Carlton President Rob Priestley said the club wanted to make ' calm, rational and fully informed decisions' and despite months of poor results backed in Voss. '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,' he said. '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. '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. '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.' Voss has been in charge of the Blues since 2022, taking them to the preliminary final in 2023, and the finals again in 2024.
7NEWS
29-07-2025
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Fresh twist as fight for Carlton free agent Jack Silvagni becomes ‘personal'
Carlton are set to do everything in their power to keep Jack Silvagni as the conjecture surrounding his future takes a 'personal' twist. Silvagni, a third generation Blue, is a free agent this year and reportedly weighing up an offer from Carlton's oldest rivals, Collingwood. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Jack Silvagni saga takes fresh twist. The Age reported on Monday night that the Magpies' offer is a four-year deal, which is nearly identical to what the Blues are offering. The 27-year-old, who missed the entire 2024 season with a knee injury, is arguably having the best season of his career after making the switch to defence. He has also endeared himself to Blues fans for his willingness to fight and compete in a season that has fallen well below expectations. Silvagni has recently been sidelined with a groin injury and is no certainty to play another game this year. As the defender weighs up his future, Carlton boss Graham Wright has stepped up his efforts to keep him in Navy Blue with a likely increased offer coming, according to Channel 7's Caroline Wilson. 'It's become personal. It's become personal for the Carlton board and for the Carlton membership,' Wilson said on The Agenda Setters. 'Yesterday, I think the realisation from Graham Wright that this was becoming a major issue and that Jack mightn't realise just how much he is wanted at Carlton, prompted Graham Wright to get in touch with Jack Silvagni. 'They had a long conversation. I think Graham Wright is genuinely concerned for Jack. He would know that this would be something that is absolutely tearing him into about what he's going to do. 'For some people, this would just be unthinkable.' But there's also a 'personal' element for Wright due to his fallout with Collingwood CEO Craig Kelly and list manager Justin Leppitsch. Wright was previously football manager at the Pies, but had a messy departure amid reports of a rift with Kelly. 'And it's personal, too, it must be said, and I'm putting words in their mouths, but the fallout between Graham Wright and his former housemate and premiership teammate, Craig Kelly, is immeasurable,' Wilson continued. 'They haven't spoken since Graham Wright left Collingwood. Graham Wright also fell out with the Collingwood list manager in Justin Leppitsch. 'Now, these two guys are making a big play with the manager, Tom Petroro, who is great mates with all three of these big, high-flying executives, and very, very close with all of them. And, in fact, manages Justin Leppitsch. 'So, I think Jack Silvagni is genuinely torn now. And I think if he felt maybe a few weeks ago that Carlton weren't really pulling out all stops to keep him, I think that Graham Wright has now left him in no uncertain terms how much Carlton rate him and want him.' Former teammate and close friend Dale Thomas added that the Collingwood offer definitely sparked the Blues into action, but also raised the interest of other rival teams. 'At that point, I think Graham Wright really went, right is this, for the first time, something we have to seriously consider and make sure it is known to Jack Silvagni how wanted he is by this football club,' he said. 'Not just by the members, but also how loved he is internally and how valued he is actually as a player. Take away the romance of the father-son and everything like that. 'But the next part is, in making some phone calls today and ringing around other Melbourne clubs. Today, now that the door has been left ajar a little bit, there's other Melbourne clubs that are going 'OK, we're sensing opportunity here, there's a chance that we may be able to pry him out and it's not just Collingwood now that are in the running to try and secure his signature.' But Thomas added that Silvagni doesn't owe Carlton anything after a rollercoaster career to date that has seen him dropped multiple times and thrown around the park in different positions. 'If I'm Jack Silvagni, I'm sitting there going, well, 'why do I stay? What do I actually owe this club?' 'He's been last in, first out so many times. He's been played as a forward, then been put in the ruck, put the shin pad on, used as a tagger, and then settled down back. 'The fans are in such uproar because they know when they come to footy and they see Jack Silvagni run out for their football side, he's bringing maximum effort. He plays with the heart and soul that you want in a footballer. 'And now he's got a skill set. He's been given a position that he's locked down. He's become one of the premium defenders in the comp.'
