"Unanimous": Why Carlton board opted to keep Michael Voss

• Carlton has committed to Michael Voss
• Board showed unanimous support for Voss
• Club endured five hour board meeting on Wednesday
• Assistant coaching panel to learn fate in coming week

Carlton coach Michael Voss will remain in his role into the 2026 AFL season.

In an emphatic show of support for the beleaguered coach, the club released a statement of backing on Thursday afternoon.

The news follows months of speculation over the security of his job amid another poor run of results this season.

The "unanimous" show of support comes after an extensive board meeting.

“We were clear following Round 16 that we would utilise these remaining games to make calm, rational and fully informed decisions that will take our football club forward and that is what we will continue to do,” Carlton President Rob Priestley said.

“The first of these has been in relation to our Senior Coach, which we are now in a position to provide clarity on following last night’s scheduled Board meeting.

“Last night, Graham presented a recommendation to the Board of Directors that Michael remains as our Senior Coach into next season.

“This recommendation was unanimously endorsed by the Board.

“For the last few months Graham and Michael have been meeting regularly, during which time they have been engaged in open and honest dialogue with one another on what is required for us to evolve as a football side.

“Michael’s ability to lead our football club this year in the face of incredible pressure has displayed the attributes of a strong and selfless leader.

“Carlton always comes first for our coach, and Graham and Michael share a clear and aligned view on the opportunities to improve football performance. 

“We want to make it absolutely clear that Michael Voss is the coach of the Carlton Football Club and he will remain the coach of the Carlton Football Club.”

On Wednesday night, Carlton’s board met to discuss the future of the club, with the five-hour discussion concluding that coach Voss will remain in charge of the club.

Assistant coaching panel to learn fate in coming week

Acording to SEN regular Tom Morris, Carlton’s coaching staff may be set for extreme turnover under new CEO Graham Wright, with the extension of Voss’ team to learn their fate within the coming days.

“On the Blues, I’m looking at their assistant coaching panel,” Morris told SEN Breakfast.

“Ash Hansen is contracted, Aaron Hamill is contracted, although the contracts don’t necessarily mean much, given the three or six months’ pay out clauses. But nevertheless, they are contracted for next year.

“I would be worried if I was Tim Clarke (midfield coach), or Jordan Russell (forwards coach). Even Luke Power, who is the VFL senior assistant. Brad Ebert, the head of development, Tom Lonergan (development and talent manager), Torin Baker (development) as well.

“It’s a difficult situation for these coaches to be in. They are all looking over their shoulders, and my understanding is that they will be told before the end of next week whether they are required next year or not.

“Graham Wright will have had to have made up his mind on all of them now, and the fact that they are going to be told in the next seven days is pretty daunting for them.

“Brad Lloyd is the other one who is under significant pressure to stay, because he was there when Brendan Bolton was there as a coach - didn’t work. He was there when David Teague was coach – didn’t work.

“He’s there when Michael Voss has been coach – it’s worked at times, they made a prelim, but overall, I think it’s fair to say that the Voss era has underperformed.”

The Blues currently sit in 13th place, winning just seven of their 20 games in 2025.

They face the Gold Coast Suns at Marvel Stadium this Saturday night.