After an impressive spell in the caretaker’s role, David Teague has won the race to be appointed as Carlton’s new fulltime AFL coach.
Carlton will hold a media conference on Thursday where Teague will officially be unveiled as the man to take the club forward into a new era.
He is understood to have signed a three-year deal.
It completes a remarkable rise for the former North Melbourne and Carlton defender, who was considered virtually no chance of getting the job on a long-term basis when he replaced the sacked Brendon Bolton after round 11.
But the 38-year-old Teague exceeded all expectations by leading a young team to five wins from nine games.
He also lost no admirers in a competitive 28-point loss to high-flying Richmond last weekend.
Carlton had won just one of their first 11 games of the season under Bolton.
Teague becomes the second AFL caretaker coach to earn the role fulltime this year after North Melbourne decided that Rhyce Shaw was the best man to replace Brad Scott.
And it could well end up being three from three, with Brett Ratten now the short-priced favourite to get promoted at St Kilda, having stepped up when Alan Richardson realised his time was over.
As has been the case at Carlton, the Saints look a much more potent attacking side under Ratten.
Teague’s hopes of landing the Blues’ role fulltime role looked slim when Carlton’s football director Chris Judd said the club didn’t want to hire a coach that still had “training wheels” on.
Former Brisbane head coach and current Port Adelaide assistant Michael Voss was interviewed for the job.
But Carlton’s hot performances under Teague – plus the love the players showed towards him – put him in the box seat.
Teague played a total of 83 games across six seasons with North Melbourne and Carlton from 2001-06, winning the Blues’ best-and-fairest award in 2004.
After being delisted by Carlton in 2007 he stepped straight into a playing-coaching role with the club’s VFL affiliate.
In 2011 he moved to West Coast as an assistant coach and also spent time on the staff at St Kilda and Adelaide before being lured back to the Blues in 2017.
Carlton will be aiming to finish the season strongly when they take on St Kilda and Geelong over the next fortnight.
big four sticks
Guest
Is your mate called Matty B?
Maxine
Guest
I can't see why Lyon being considered isn't plausible,especially considering what Judd said. It's more plausible than someone saying "no no,Judd didn't actually say anything,he's a Teague man" Anyway Peter,ask your friend about -Thomas not being offered a contract,and maybe a reason why. -Ellis going to Carlton. -Marchbank being uncontracted and being shopped around.
Kane
Roar Rookie
Of course you did.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
I remember a few years back the Doggies and Gold Coast were the ones with a "dynasty" list. Doggies were right, Suns were a shambles. No guarantees in this caper.
Cracka
Roar Rookie
Carlton has an okay list youth wise better than others out there and only time and luck will tell if they are any good. Teague has been around for 12 years as a coach/Assistant, so here is his chance to make a mark in the AFL
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Have since texted my mate and he said the job was Lyon's until Teague started winning.
Jack
Guest
I heard Lyon is well. Happy to be wrong
Nolzie
Roar Rookie
90% above the shoulders.. So long as they are a good team.. GC could be the most mentally astute team in the league and they aren't winning a flag anytime soon..
Cracka
Roar Rookie
If footy is 90% above the shoulders then I think if the players believe in the coach, Teague, they will go okay and if your going to drag up the last 5 years then go through the whole history, as pointless that would be, let’s just wait and see what the future has for them.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Hee hee. Good luck with that Col.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
He was right about Fasolo before it even remotely hit the media Kane.
Nolzie
Roar Rookie
I can't remember a group of supporters getting so excited and outspoken about a team that has achieved nothing.. A club that has finished 18th, 14th, 16th, 18th and looks likely to finish 15th or 16th again this year.. Potential is nothing until it is recognised...
Maxine
Guest
One of my girlfriends told me that if you leave little boys on the bottom for to many years they become really soft and precious.
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
One of my mates has told me Blues are into Grundy.
Kane
Roar Rookie
Maybe your so called "Blues mate" was wrong all along and he's just a figment of your imagination to try to stir the pot.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
We finally have a coach who looks like he walked off the days of our lives set. Seems my Blues mate was wrong and the weight of fans turned them off Ross Lyon.