‘Masterclass’: Carlton star backs interim coach to land top job
Carlton vice-captain Jacob Weitering has fully endorsed interim coach Josh Fraser to win the top job beyond 2026.
The former Collingwood ruckman took the reins at the Blues after Michael Voss walked out with the club sitting 16th on the ladder and having just one win from nine games to start the season.
Josh Fraser after his second win as Carlton coach. Getty
Sine then, Fraser’s Carlton side has won nine of its 11 games. Only Fremantle has a better record in that span.
The Blues thrashed Brisbane by 76 points in round 21 and have also taken down Geelong and the Western Bulldogs, and have won on the road against both GWS and Port Adelaide.
The incredible run has lifted them from bottom four to sitting inside the top 10 and with the chance to play in Wildcard Round if they win two of their last three games.
Fraser is yet to officially put his hand up for the role, with Carlton giving him an extra week to make up his mind, following the death of his father last week. When he first took the interim job, he said he felt he was not ready to be a senior AFL coach.
Fremantle assistant coach Jaymie Graham, St Kilda’s Corey Enright, Geelong’s James Kelly and Hawthorn’s Daniel Giansiracusa have been reported as the shortlisted candidates for the role at this stage.
Weitering however spoke glowingly about Fraser’s job turning the club around on Wednesday.
“I don’t want to put too much pressure on him, but I’d say it’s a masterclass in how to interim coach,” the All-Australian defender told SEN.
“He’s made it all about the club and all about his team and the players. He’s an incredibly selfless individual and one that I had the pleasure of working with when I was younger at the club. He was the VFL coach for a period of time there, and I actually played three games under him at VFL and he was the same then.
“He’s a great family man, he focuses on the player and even with my own injury, he was saying “don’t push it”, “don’t do anything silly”, “just make sure you get yourself, your mind, your body right”, and come back when you can.
“He’s very consistent with his messaging as well. He focused on a couple of things when he first came into the job, he’s always asking for feedback and our opinions and certainly taking it on board, and then at the same time, he knows when to challenge us. He’s been excellent.”
When asked if he would be happy with Fraser getting the full-time gig, Weitering’s stance was clear.
“Of course,” he said.
“The proof is in the pudding a little bit, isn’t it? He knows what he’s doing from a coaching standpoint, he’s an incredible connector with the players and it seems the coaches around him as well, even though we’re a couple of coaches down technically, and they have thrived and brought their best as well.
“It would be great to see him get it, but these decisions are not up to us (players).
“(Fraser’s) had the hands-on practice run, if you like. Even though we don’t want to call in-season a practice run, but for him, obviously it’s not the head coaching role officially, to come in and present how he would go about things and I dare say he would probably change a few more things if he did get the role.
Nic Newman and Patrick Cripps congratulate Josh Fraser after a win. AFL Photos
“I don’t think a lot would change from what he’s done back half of the year other than a bit more details in some areas and refine what we’ve been able to do these last 10 weeks.
“I think it’s an unbelievable opportunity for this club to do something pretty special (this year). I won’t mention the previous year we did something similar, but he’s just going to continue being consistent in his messaging and being selfless for us.”
If Fraser does win the coaching race, it will be the second time Carlton has handed the full-time reins to a caretaker coach, after doing so with David Teague in 2019.
That ultimately ended poorly, with Teague sacked after the 2021 season, leading to the appointment of Voss.
Fraser and Carlton take on St Kilda on Sunday night. The two teams currently sit 10th and 11th respectively, making it an enormous contest for Wildcard hopes.
