Michael Voss has resigned from Carlton this morning effective immediately, with John Fraser appointed to lead the club through to the end of 2026.

After a 1-8 start to the year, critics were of the belief it was only a matter of time until Voss’ time was up, but the decision from himself may have been one final saving grace for the Blues at the end of his tenure.

Leaving during the middle of the season, and with Tasmania gearing up to enter the competition in 2028, Carlton will now get the first pick for a new leader at a time when big names are circulating in coaching contention.

Longmire, Simpson and Hinkley – all recently retired and boasting a history of finals success – are some that the Blues will be eyeing off to snatch from the Devils.

Ex AFL player and coach Grant Thomas joined Sports Breakfast this morning.

“It’s all around timing and strategy and the leaders of a club sometimes persevere with what they’ve got because during a season they get the first chance at the coaches that have become available,” he said.

“It’s got to be someone who has the media respect within the industry and is able to have the support of the people around them. I think Graham Wright being there is going to be able to shield them from the obvious issues that Carlton has had for decades and that is too much interference from too many people who aren’t really in the best position to make decisions.

“They need a very strong, assertive leader. Someone who has got a track record of success, obviously your Longmires and your Simpsons fit into that category… It would be a very brave, courageous decision to go with an untried assistant coach. Several of them have been successful in the past but I think they absolutely have to ensure they have got the next one right.”

A string of second half fadeaways has been the story of 2026 for Carlton, almost fumbling their only win to Richmond despite leading by four goals at one stage.

But it hasn’t all been bad for Voss and his resignation comes as a sign of the times.

Of the four most recent coaches, including Collingwood Premiership coach Mick Malthouse, Voss holds the best win/loss record, even taking the Blues to a preliminary final in his second year at the helm:

  • Michael Voss (2022-26, 83 games): 48.5%
  • David Teague (2019-21, 50 games): 42%
  • Brendon Bolton (2016-19, 77 games): 21%
  • Mick Malthouse (2013-15, 53 games): 38%

His decision to leave comes after a moral victory on Friday at the Gabba, losing to the reigning premiers by 11 points and undeterred by a 44-point deficit at half time.

Thomas says the conflict within the club and pressure from media scrutiny toward Voss and Carlton’s poor second halves has seen many players playing for themselves.

The next person to lead the Blues might have some big decisions to make regarding the playing group, with selfishness on-field giving way to the beginning of a poor new culture at the club.

“I think a lot of them have been playing for survival and a new coach will rejuvenate and regenerate and get a good idea of what they’ve got, but I think they’re going to be a fair way off contesting for a serious finals position in the near future.”

“I don’t think they’ve got plenty to work with. Unfortunately their better players are probably getting older and they’ve missed the moment with that regard.

“They’re probably bottom half-a-dozen aren’t up to scratch and they probably need to be replaced with players that are going to actually go on and play a hundred or two hundred games.”

With the main man gone from Carlton, it raises questions around the security of other coaching staff at the club.

“I don’t subscribe to just throwing everyone out. I think it’s all about the leadership, the environment and the culture and generally speaking if a senior coach goes that doesn’t mean all of the assistant coaches need to go as well.”

“I think a new coach, if he’s got any mental about him and any leadership skills and management skills about him, he’ll see that they just need better leadership, better management, better direction, better support, better empathy, better understanding, more control – those sorts of things.”

John Fraser will have his first test against the Dogs on Saturday at Marvel Stadium.

IMAGE: AFL Photos