Tessa Lee, Sports journalist reporting on global leagues since 2021.
Michael Voss has resigned as Carlton coach after mounting pressure during a disastrous 2026 AFL season, with club legend Anthony Koutoufides admitting he was shocked by the decision. The Blues have managed just one win from their opening nine games and are currently on a seven game losing streak. The timing of the departure matters because Carlton remains one of the AFL’s biggest clubs and now faces another major reset despite reaching a preliminary final only three seasons ago.
Koutoufides said he did not expect the decision to come so early in the season, particularly after Carlton’s spirited fightback against Brisbane at the Gabba last week.
The Blues trailed the reigning premiers by 49 points early in the third quarter before kicking 11 second half goals to reduce the margin to just 11 points.
Koutoufides stunned by Voss exit
Speaking on SEN, the Carlton great said the performance against Brisbane suggested there may still have been hope for the season.
“I’m shocked given it’s only round 10,” Koutoufides said.
“It’s been a tough year. Only one win in nine rounds.”
“They were terrific against Brisbane and maybe there was hope there, but they couldn’t get it over the line.”
Koutoufides has had close visibility into Carlton this season through his work with SEN’s Blues Radio coverage. He said Voss appeared under intense pressure during Friday night’s match, particularly after coaching from the box rather than his usual bench position.
“There was a lot going on,” Koutoufides observed.
Despite the difficult results, he praised Voss personally and professionally.
“Vossy, he has been terrific at the club and what a wonderful man. I adore him as a lot of people do,” he said.
“He got to the prelim final and had the toughest task to beat Brisbane up there. He did a great job Vossy, a really good job.”
Carlton’s rapid rise and collapse
Voss arrived at Carlton ahead of the 2022 season after replacing David Teague.
His appointment initially transformed the club. In 2023, Carlton reached the finals for the first time in a decade before defeating Sydney and Melbourne during an impressive finals run.
The Blues then lost to Brisbane in the preliminary final after leading early at the Gabba. It marked Carlton’s first appearance in the AFL’s final four since 2001 and appeared to signal the beginning of a premiership window.
The optimism continued into 2024.
Carlton sat second on the ladder as late as Round 20 before collapsing late in the season. They eventually finished eighth and suffered a heavy elimination final loss to Brisbane.
Koutoufides believes the talent was present but the group ultimately failed to deliver consistently.
“I feel like we had the talent there,” he said.
“A few years ago maybe 2024 they looked like they might go on to win.”
“It fell away so quickly. As fast as it came it disappeared so fast.”
“They had the list but as you know it takes so much more than good players.”
AFL figures urge Carlton to show respect
Several high profile AFL voices reacted to the news, with many stressing the importance of handling Voss’ departure respectfully.
Nick Riewoldt said Carlton must ensure the process is handled with “utmost respect” given the way Voss has represented the club during difficult periods.
“From all reports inside Carlton, through what has been a really difficult time on field and off field, he has been outstanding,” Riewoldt said on On The Couch.
Riewoldt also suggested the timing of the move could allow Carlton to evaluate assistant coaches internally while planning for a major appointment before the end of the season.
He referenced Richmond’s improvement after Damien Hardwick’s departure and said mid season coaching changes can sometimes create fresh energy.
“I think it breathes a breath of fresh air,” he said.
He also raised the possibility that appointing a high profile replacement could improve Carlton’s ability to attract star players in future trade periods.
Nathan Buckley empathises with Voss
Former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley, who experienced his own mid season exit in 2021, said senior coaches often shoulder responsibility beyond their direct control.
“It can be difficult because you take a huge amount of responsibility as a senior coach for the current representation of your team and it’s not always fully accurate,” Buckley said.
“I see Carlton as a team who has great potential but they’re not quite putting it together at the moment.”
Buckley praised Voss for maintaining composure and leadership despite heavy scrutiny.
“He hasn’t wavered at any point,” Buckley said.
“I think that’s really strong leadership.”
Questions remain over Carlton’s direction
While some saw positives in Carlton’s comeback against Brisbane, others remain unconvinced the performance showed genuine progress.
Melbourne legend Garry Lyon said the Blues still failed to prove they could perform consistently when expected to win.
“They still only played a half of footy in the end,” Lyon said on AFL 360.
“The hardest thing for Carlton right now is to win when they know they should.”
“The easiest thing for them to do is to try and win when they know they can’t.”
Lyon argued Carlton’s repeated inability to close games and maintain standards across four quarters remains the club’s biggest issue.
Now the Blues must decide what comes next.
Former Collingwood football boss Graham Wright is expected to play a key role in shaping Carlton’s future direction, with comparisons already being drawn to Collingwood’s transition from Nathan Buckley to Craig McRae.
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Voss leaves Carlton after helping restore finals relevance to one of the AFL’s biggest clubs, but ultimately falling short of delivering sustained success. The Blues now face another defining coaching appointment as pressure intensifies to maximise a list many still believe is capable of premiership contention.
