'We all know': Nathan Brown's blunt call on Carlton caretaker coach Josh Fraser
As Carlton continue to turn their season around under caretaker coach Josh Fraser, the man himself will continue to be asked about his desire to land the job beyond 2026.
Fraser has been firm in his answer so far, saying he is here to be the caretaker coach and doesn't feel he's ready for the long-term job.
The Blues have won three games in a row since parting ways with Michael Voss, including knocking off premiership fancy Geelong on Friday night.
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Nic Newman, Josh Fraser and Patrick Cripps of the Blues celebrate. AFL Photos via Getty Images
But Western Bulldogs champion Nathan Brown believes Fraser would want the job; he just doesn't want to draw attention to that narrative with three months left to run in the season.
The former Collingwood star reiterated his stance after the win over Geelong.
"I've said this a number of times. I see this as an interim coaching role. Part of my responsibility is helping the club move forward and get it in a better place than what it is now, but I don't expect anything," Fraser told reporters.
"I respect the questioning around it, but my answer is going to be pretty consistent and off the emotion of a win it's not going to change."
Brown isn't copping that stance.
"I think we all know he wants the job," Brown told Nine's Sunday Footy Show.
"Why wouldn't you want the job? Why wouldn't you want to be the AFL coach of a big club? That's what he's in the business for. Why would you be an assistant coach if you don't want to be a senior coach?
"He's got 14 games. He's won three now. How many wins does it take for Carlton to go, 'You know what, he's our man'?"
Carlton coach Josh Fraser thanks fans. Getty
Nine reporter Damian Barrett answered that question, praising Fraser for how he has handled the media questioning so far.
"Let's go with another four and make it 7-7 for the purpose of this conversation," Barrett said.
"But I think he's already done enough to, at the early stages, at least be included in their thoughts to gauge from him how he wants to play it out.
"Fraser's lines have subtly changed every week, but he's said he's not focusing on it. I think it's really smart."
Josh Fraser addresses the troops. AFL Photos via Getty Images
Tony Jones believes Fraser will have to continue fielding the questions about the job, particularly if Carlton's strong form continues.
"The problem is with the media scrutiny. It doesn't matter what he says, whether he says he wants or he doesn't," Jones said.
"He'll be asked about that at every opportunity."
The Blues have put together a panel to find their next coach, with CEO Graham Wright, president Rob Priestley, head of football Chris Davies and former West Coast coach Adam Simpson.
They will cast the net wide and attempt to have their next coach in place by the end of the season.
Whether Fraser privately puts his name into that mix or not, how quickly he has turned the club around speaks for itself.
However, Carlton have a complex relationship with this exact scenario. In 2019, the club sacked coach Brendon Bolton and installed David Teague as interim coach. Teague won six of his 11 games in the role and ultimately was given the job. But things turned sour fast and he was sacked at the end of 2021 after just two full seasons.
