The Diverging Paths for Carlton: Potential Candidates to Replace Coach Michael Voss if He’s Dismissed

Carlton finds itself at a significant juncture in its football journey.

One option involves dismissing Michael Voss, marking the fourth coaching change since 2012, while the alternative would be to support him through at least the final year of his contract, which runs until 2026, in an effort to rectify the current situation.

The defeat to Port Adelaide on Thursday night was particularly damaging. Voss himself lamented the apparent lack of effort from his players, highlighting a growing rift within the club.

Voss has always been noted for harnessing the enthusiasm and ambition of his squad, attributing to his presence and leadership. Yet, over his four-year tenure at the Blues, the effort exhibited by his players was never in question until recent weeks.

This raises the concern of whether he has lost the support of his squad, and if so, is that a fracture that can be healed? If not, the decision may fall into the hands of incoming chief Graham Wright.

Should they decide to make the difficult choice and part ways with Voss, what would be the next steps? Who might step into the void left by his departure?

After enduring a decade of rebuilding and 30 years without a premiership, the club’s patience is wearing thin. Any new coach will face immediate pressure.

Potential Coach Candidates if Voss is Removed

With this in mind, it’s likely that an experienced coach would be more suited to tackle the challenges facing the Blues.

Key names in this discussion include John Longmire, Ken Hinkley, and Adam Simpson.

However, according to Nine’s Damien Barrett, Longmire has privately suggested he may not yet be ready to return to coaching, having just stepped down at the end of 2024.

Ironically, Hinkley, who recently coached the team that recently defeated the Blues, will be available as Port Adelaide transitions to assistant coach Josh Carr for 2026.

Notably, he was the mentor who guided Voss during his seven years at Port before Voss took the helm at Carlton.

Simpson has since transitioned into a media role after parting ways with West Coast in 2024. He led the Eagles to the 2018 premiership but struggled to guide the club through the post-COVID difficulties.

Carlton ought to avoid simply pouring money into the biggest name available, a mistake made in the past with Denis Pagan in 2003 and Mick Malthouse in 2013, both of which ended in disappointment as neither were genuinely committed for the long haul.

Graham Wright, who selected Craig McRae as Collingwood’s coach, notably overlooked both Adam Kingsley—who later joined GWS—and Voss himself, which is rather ironic.

McRae, a long-time assistant, seamlessly took the reins at the Pies and propelled them up the ladder, culminating in a premiership victory in 2023.

Wright should not shy away from a similar strategy at Carlton if need be.

The AFL is brimming with talented assistant coaches, with one emergent name being Corey Enright from St Kilda.

According to Nine’s Chief AFL reporter Tom Morris, Enright is so highly regarded within the Saints that he’s being groomed as a future successor to Ross Lyon.

McRae won the AFL Coaches Association’s assistant coach of the year award in 2019, while Daniel Giansiracusa, current midfielder coach at Essendon, received the same accolade the following year.

Giansiracusa has narrowly missed out on coaching roles in recent years but could be a strong candidate going forward.

Fremantle’s forward line coach Jaymie Graham was also a contender for the Collingwood job, providing further context as Wright led that search.

Graham was previously in the mix for the West Coast position, but chose to withdraw, alongside Dean Cox and Josh Carr, both of whom have since secured head coaching roles at Sydney and Port Adelaide, respectively.

What if Carlton Supports Voss for 2026?

If Carlton opts to keep faith with Voss, addressing any frictions within the current playing group will be essential.

Clearly, something is amiss, and it has been for the entire season. Losses to Richmond, second-half collapses, and being dismantled by both North Melbourne and Port Adelaide showcase a lack of cohesion.

The season has been unfortunate, with club president Luke Sayers resigning after an inappropriate photograph emerged in January, compounded by season-ending injury setbacks to star recruit Jagga Smith and veteran defender Nic Newman. Things have gone awry for the Blues in 2025.

So, if continuity is the plan, how do they wash away the negativity accumulated this year?

The Blues are likely to lose ruckman Tom De Koning to St Kilda, securing a top-10 draft pick in compensation. Additionally, they aim to draft father-son key defender Harry Dean.

Rumours are swirling that a trade involving one of their star forwards, either Harry McKay or Charlie Curnow, could be on the horizon. However, such a move seems unlikely.

Apart from needing a new ruckman, they plan to introduce two top-tier teenagers, welcome back Jagga Smith, and free up some cap space.

Leadership dynamics may also need reevaluation, with Sam Docherty potentially retiring or being encouraged to do so.

Considerations could involve asking captain Patrick Cripps to pass the captaincy over to Sam Walsh or Jacob Weitering. Cripps has dedicated himself to the club, winning two Brownlow Medals, and might benefit from focusing purely on football during his 30s with fewer responsibilities, while the club gains fresh leadership.

Carlton can look to Melbourne, which supported coach Simon Goodwin, even after an unexpected 17th-place finish in 2019. The club managed to realign and achieved a premiership victory just two years later.

Historically, there are numerous instances of similar scenarios. Damien Hardwick and Richmond, Nathan Buckley and Collingwood, and Mark Thompson and Geelong spring to mind.

The key question lies in whether the Blues have already utilized this strategy with Voss in mid-2023, producing 12 months of positive progress. This remains uncertain from an external viewpoint.

Regardless of their decision on their coach, Carlton faces monumental choices ahead.

The urgency of the decisions may escalate if the team’s performance continues to plummet in the coming weeks.