Staring at an eighth straight season without an AFL finals appearance, embattled Carlton are set to launch a wide-ranging independent review of their footy department.
The review, according to a report in The Age on Monday night, will be implemented by incoming Blues president Luke Sayers and be conducted by outsiders.
The performance of under-fire coach David Teague and his assistants will be scrutinised, as will the club’s fitness program and list management.
After bringing in big-money recruits Adam Saad and Zac Williams during the off-season, the expectation was Carlton would be ready to surge up the ladder in 2021.
But Sunday’s horror defeat to undermanned West Coast left them at 4-8, three wins and significant percentage behind eighth-placed Richmond.
Having gone 0-7 against top-eight teams this season, Teague concedes it will now be an “uphill battle” to qualify for finals.
Carlton’s poor performances have turned up the blowtorch on Teague, who has overseen just eight wins in the last 23 games for an overall win-loss record of 17-23.
The review could decide the 40-year-old’s coaching future, but underperforming players have also come under fire.
(Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
“It reflects poorly on David Teague and his name’s going to be brought up a lot, and so it should be, but I think the playing group as a whole need to take ownership of their careers,” ex-St Kilda champion Nick Dal Santo told Fox Footy.
“I feel sorry for David Teague in that situation and ultimately he may be in strife as a result, but I’m putting the focus on the players and the lack of leadership on game day.”
Despite the looming review, and with finals almost certainly off the table, former Melbourne captain Garry Lyon said Teague should see the second half of the season as an opportunity.
“He’s got to take a really hard stance now with his group and take total control of this footy club,” Lyon told Fox Footy.
“(He’s got to) risk losing his job in the process of setting a standard for the club going beyond this year.
“If that means you’ve got to make real hard calls on players that have been there for a long time, then do it.
“He’s got the chance in the next ten weeks to really go ‘bang’ here.”
Essendon great Matthew Lloyd, whose brother Brad Lloyd is Carlton’s head of footy, said the review should leave no stone unturned.
“I think everything should be up on the table, including the captains,” Matthew Lloyd told 3AW.
“I think it’s so much more than Teague, it’s so much more than (Patrick) Cripps.
“He (Sayers) is doing the right thing because right across the board they’re a long way off the top sides.”
Carlton have a bye this week before meeting GWS at Giants Stadium in Round 14.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Ross Lyon would cope as would Mitchell I’d say.
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
I didn't know Clarko said that recently. So that means the odds on the betting board need to be slightly adjusted. I will take my hat off to anyone that puts their hand up for that job. King of the Coaching Castle @ Collingwood would be a very high pressure & demanding role. Your huge fanbase are impatiently waiting for some good results, not bad excuses.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
It’s a curious thing Mr Right in that Mitchell is coaching the VFL side rather than being assistant to Clarkson. Perhaps they have a tacit agreement to keep things exactly as they are with Clarkson to simply retire end 2022 and Mitchell seamlessly taking over. In which case Ross Lyon credentials increase. Clarko today stated categorically he will coach Hawthorn next year.
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
What's thoughts PTS? Do you think Hawthorn will release Clarkson for 2022 to join the Pies & elevate Mitchell to senior coach? I think Mitchell needs one more year assisting Clarkson. So I am not sure Hawthorn will give him the green light to get to Collingwood until 2023. You obviously need someone before then. Going to be very interesting to see how this one pans out.
Donmac
Roar Rookie
The theory doing the rounds re the review not being solely about Teague is probably true but you can all rest assured that it will certainly include whether he continues as Senior Coach. Carlton are after Clarkson make no mistake and I would like to be as sure of winning Lottto that he will be the Senior Coach at Carlton next year.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
True it is Kane. Bucks got a flag as assistant coach but will ever stand on the podium now unless it's with another club?
Kane
Roar Rookie
Dunno how true it is Pete but apparently Buckley's standing down after this week's game, supposedly telling the players this morning.
Diesel-747
Roar Rookie
In footy I’m not sure. But in other business yes, and often the one who has the humility to take a step back, reevaluate where he is at, keep learning goes on to become a great manager of people - my observation
Diesel-747
Roar Rookie
What I want means zero . I’m just a mug who loves Carlton & have watched them for 40+ yrs, & what I saw against west cst was a team who looked lazy, looked disorganised, looked out of gas too early - AGAIN. Who is responsible for that? When you run a business, your the person who is responsible for getting the best out of the staff, & if there underperforming, you make changes, and firing may not be the answer, it may be tho. I see a coaching team , well paid , who seem comfortable & content with close losses, & make poor decisions- Hence the mid season review .. delegation is important in some areas, but it’s possible too much delegation goes on in coaches boxes these days. Teague regularly reports at press conferences they “ he isn’t sure, I don’t know, I am not aware””” how can you have “absolute belief” , as he regularly reports , if he isn’t aware of the goings on in his team. In my business, I know everything that goes on. . It requires something to change surely Pete?? . I love competitive , hard footy with players who want to win. I’ve noticed Carlton players walking off field after losses recently seemingly happy! Have I missed something ? Hard to say but I’ve started following other sides recently to watch good competitive, exciting footy. Dogs, tigers & now Essendon games I have an eye on .even the Noble park bulls crack in . Carlton, good in patches have become a lazy & predictable team. IMO
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
yeah that's what I mean Diesel, have any gone from head to assistant at the same club though working under someone else?
Diesel-747
Roar Rookie
Has Teague got the ability to be a head coach ? Many tried head coaches go back to assistants . Voss, ratten , Bolton to name a few. Sticking around at the same club would take spades of humility tho.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
You want Lyon in for Teague now Diesel? That would be old Carlton IMO. Surely he will last the season at worst.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Can you do that though? Put a Bloke who was head honcho back to assistant coach under someone else? Assistants at least know they have to do the hard yards like when Malthouse told Bucks to go turn the lights off in the midweek video review.
Kick to Kick
Roar Rookie
Agree that Lyon has a history of making players accountable. He was part of the Roos player empowerment revolution at the Swans. St Kilda and Fremantle senior players remain extremely loyal to him, no doubt due to both the trust he invested in players the and the responsibility he expected of them. But do you have to sack yet another coach to improve player culture at Carlton?
Diesel-747
Roar Rookie
Who does the buck stop with in senior selection Macca?
Diesel-747
Roar Rookie
Will Cripps will stick around . Rumours swirling that he will go home in a deal with Cerra. Ross comes before Buckley by a country mile . If Teague is moved on - Ross in box seat . You’d think Now - no point waiting.
Macca
Roar Rookie
The board asked, the players answered, big difference
Diesel-747
Roar Rookie
Should have finished up 2019
Diesel-747
Roar Rookie
Lyon makes players accountable. Keep Teague on as an assistant & def Leppitsch
Diesel-747
Roar Rookie
Just reported same info Chanel 7