Tessa Lee, Sports journalist reporting on global leagues since 2021.
Michael Voss’ departure as Carlton coach has once again highlighted the unforgiving nature of AFL senior coaching, with the Blues deciding change was necessary after a disastrous start to the 2026 season.
The Blues and Voss mutually agreed to part ways on Tuesday following an eight-game losing streak that left Carlton sitting at 1-8. Despite signs the players still supported him, the mounting defeats and failure to arrest the club’s decline ultimately proved decisive.
Voss leaves Carlton after 99 games in charge across five seasons, having guided the club to a preliminary final in 2023 before a dramatic fall from contention over the past two years.
The former Brisbane champion remains one of the most respected figures in Australian football, admired for both his leadership and character away from the game.
Carlton president Rob Priestley praised Voss following the announcement, describing him as a quality person who had represented the club with professionalism throughout his tenure.
But in elite coaching, reputation and personal qualities are rarely enough to survive prolonged poor results.
Carlton’s decline under Voss
Voss arrived at Carlton in 2022 after rebuilding his coaching credentials as an assistant under Ken Hinkley at Port Adelaide. The move followed a difficult first senior coaching stint at Brisbane from 2009 to 2013.
His early years at Carlton showed promise, culminating in the club’s first preliminary final appearance since 2000 during the 2023 finals series.
However, the rapid rise quickly unravelled.
Carlton missed the finals in 2025 before collapsing this year despite remaining competitive in patches. The Blues led at half time in six of their opening nine games but repeatedly faded in second halves.
Football boss Chris Davies, who worked closely with Voss at Port Adelaide, said the former coach had always been determined to improve his craft.
“Michael has been an amazingly stoic person,” Davies said.
“He wants to be good at his craft.”
Still, Carlton’s inability to consistently execute under pressure exposed tactical and structural issues that became increasingly difficult to ignore.
Key departures hurt the Blues
Carlton entered the 2026 season after losing several important players, including Charlie Curnow, Tom De Koning and Jack Silvagni.
The club also underwent major off field changes, with new leadership across the presidency, chief executive role and football department. Six assistant coaches also changed before the season began.
By Round 1, Voss was effectively the only major figure remaining from the previous regime.
The instability created enormous pressure for Carlton to start strongly, but instead the losses mounted immediately.
One of the defining moments of the season came during the Gather Round defeat to Adelaide, when Carlton lost control of the game after captain Patrick Cripps began the second quarter on the bench.
The Blues conceded multiple goals in quick succession and never recovered.
Carlton officials have since pointed to issues around ball movement, transition defence and disposal efficiency as key problems during the season.
AFL coaching pressure remains relentless
Voss’ exit continues a long trend of instability at Carlton, where the club has repeatedly struggled to find long term coaching success this century.
The Blues now face another critical appointment as they attempt to rebuild with Tasmania entering the competition in coming years and significant draft challenges looming.
The demands of AFL coaching continue to grow, with senior coaches judged almost entirely on results regardless of their standing within the game.
The contrast between successful coaches and those who fall short can often be razor thin.
Collingwood coach Craig McRae transformed perceptions after leading the Magpies to a premiership and multiple deep finals runs, while Brisbane coach Chris Fagan has become one of the AFL’s most respected senior figures after years of scrutiny earlier in his career.
For Voss, the ending at Carlton is another reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in elite football.
Despite the disappointment, his standing within the game remains strong and many believe he will eventually return to coaching in some capacity.
