The Carlton Football Club held an unscheduled board meeting on Thursday night to mull over the findings of the external review which got underway back in June.
The board have said that the review will remain secret to protect certain individuals’ reputations, however multiple reports this week have revealed what some of the review contains.
Many of them relate to the coach.
According to the Herald Sun, some senior players at Carlton believe his inability to form close relationships with David Teague is just one of many factors that have contributed to a below-par year.
That paper also reported that the review found Carlton’s inability to defend the ground and stop the opposition’s ball movement was a major problem.
Furthermore, it was revealed that coach Teague had neglected this facet of the game during the pre-season.
It’s not looking good for Teague.
So, if Teague does only have two games left, who will coach Carlton next season?
The club can’t make a mistake. The new coach will be its sixth since 2003. Unsurprisingly, Alastair Clarkson will be the number one priority, but if he says no, the focus will turn towards Ross Lyon.
But the obvious choice for me is Nathan Buckley. If I was incoming president Luke Sayers, I’d be doing everything I could to convince him that he is our guy.
Here’s why.
After about two months off there is a good chance he has had time to reflect, refresh and be hungry to go again.
The Blues biggest failings under Teague have been defence related. Even though Collingwood have fallen off a cliff this year, in Collinwood’s 13 games under Buckley in 2021 they conceded just 78 points.
This was a team that was really battling, but never fell away defensively.
Buckley has never had the weapons in the forward like he would at the Blues. Curnow, McKay, Martin, Fisher and maybe McGovern is a stark contrast to Mihocek, Cox and Elliott.
Teague’s repetitive media conferences this season have been uninspiring and confusing. In contrast, Buckley’s biggest strength is his communication style and messaging. He is a leader of men.
That is what they need.
After two low-profile coaches, Brendon Bolton and David Teague, have failed miserably, Carlton are in need of a big name, a marquee coach.
That man is Buckley.
Why is he not being spoken about as the next coach of Carlton?
You could make an exceptional case that the best coach for the Blues is Buckley.
I think he is perfect.
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