The coaching future of Carlton Blues coach Michael Voss is hanging by a thread after North Melbourne Kangaroos mount a stunning comeback win
Michael Voss’ coaching career is hanging by a thread after Carlton’s season took a further turn for the worse on Good Friday following North Melbourne’s stunning fourth-quarter comeback.
On a day when the “SuperClash” fixture doubled as a fundraiser for the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal, the Blues raced to a 10-point lead of 22 points in the final term in front of a packed crowd of around 45,000 at Marvel Stadium.
The Blues appeared to have the competition in hand when they won their first third of the season. But the Kangaroos made it seven goals to two in the final term to win in front of a stunned Blues fanbase.
Carlton twice responded to goals from the Kangaroos early in the final term, but they were unable to sustain it; The Kangaroos took the lead for good when young star Harry Sheezel drilled a long bomb with just over three minutes left.
“We’re not used to winning, so it’s probably best to come back this way.” [result] so far [this season]said Sheezel.
“I really believed we would win this game”
By contrast, Blues star Sam Walsh was clearly angered by the result.
“This isn’t good enough,” he told Seven.
“[We’re] “We don’t stand up in the big moments when we need to, so we have a lot to learn.”
The Blues’ latest slump comes after a week of major introspection following their stunning defeat to Melbourne, where they conceded a 43-point advantage. The Blues’ inability to maintain a lead has been a major ongoing problem over the past year, given that they have yet to find a way to deal with the pressure when the game is in the balance.
The defeat leaves the Blues with just one win left and Voss, who is out of contract this season, is under huge pressure to save his job.
Kangaroos coach Alastair Clarkson said it was time for his club to take part in a fixture they have been working to improve for years. The Roos did a good job in that respect, but the on-field situation was very bad. This was their second win in nine matches in this fixture, but they now truly look like a team on the rise and have a 3-1 record this season.
“It’s a crazy feeling. We came forward in the second half,” veteran midfielder Luke Parker said.
The Blues’ losses were compounded by the loss of Jacob Weitering due to concussion. He will miss at least Thursday’s Roundup clash with the Crows in Adelaide after Zane Duursma accidentally hit his knee on the back of his head in a marking contest.
The powerful full-back failed a concussion test after leaving the field and will make a big difference against the powerful Crows forwards. Weitering’s recent absence has also contributed to the Blues’ malaise.
Voss said he was confident the Blues would bounce back “very quickly” from their woes in the second half of this season. That’s it for this one.
Prior to this competition they had only outscored opponents in the third quarters five times in their last 26 games, but captain Patrick Cripps set the tone. He had just six touches in the main half but had four early in the third quarter as the Blues pressed.
While the Hollands brothers, Elijah and Ollie, got plenty of possession, Harry McKay was on the field with 50 points in attack. The intensity of the blues was palpable. They had just 13 steals in the main half, but only 24 in the third term.
Kangaroos halfback Colby McKercher was the leading possession player at half-time, but had just three possessions in the third term, prompting Clarkson to front-arm him on the chest at the final break, encouraging a more combative approach.
Tagger Finn O’Sullivan took on the job of his second cousin, Blues runner Sam Walsh. They had a fascinating fight, but O’Sullivan emerged victorious in the end.
The Blues were clearly in trouble when Paul Curtis drilled in his 50-yard bomb with just over four minutes remaining.
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Jon Pierik is a sports reporter for The Age. He covers the AFL and has won awards for his cricket and basketball writing.Connect with: X or email.
