Voss grilled on Blues’ sharp rise since his shock exit
Former Carlton coach Michael Voss believes the Blues have it in them to win this year’s premiership if things break right.
The Brisbane legend stepped down as coach after the club’s 1-8 start to the season, handing the reins to assistant coach Josh Fraser.
Michael Voss speaks on Carlton’s flag hopes. Fox Sports
Since that point, the Blues have lost two games in three months and have surged into the top eight after knocking off Melbourne in a Wildcard bout on Saturday.
As the Blues began preparations for an elimination final clash with Geelong, Voss was speaking to reporters at the MCG as part of a Sherrin event.
Asked whether he was frustrated by the club only launching up the ladder once he was gone, Voss said he was proud of what the group had achieved.
“I’m really pleased for the players that have been able to get something out of the season. I watch them play, and they’re playing with an enormous amount of confidence, which is just great to see,” he said.
"They have got a lot of belief in one another, so they're playing against an opposition that they've got a very good record against. So the venue, the opposition, the way they're playing, you know, they shouldn't be too concerned about what's ahead of them.
“No, I haven’t spent a lot of time (on why they struggled early in the season). I don’t look too often in the rearview mirror, to be honest with you. I like what they’ve done, they’ve looked forward, and that’s sort of essentially what I’ve done.
"What I'm pleased with is that they've been able to make something out of the season. That's the whole intention (of me quitting) in the first place. I'm pleased it's come to this.
“There’s no reason why they can’t go further than even this weekend. I don’t have to speak in ‘one week at a time’ any more, so I can start talking about premierships. But no, they’re doing a great job, and they should be really, really proud of what they’re doing.”
As to whether they can win the premiership, Voss believes it will come down to whether they can sustain this level for five straight weeks through a gruelling extended finals series.
"It'll be very hard. Winning five (finals in a row) that's a tough gig, but they're certainly playing a high level of football," he said.
"If you look at their form over the course of the last 10, 11 weeks, I mean, their form, equal form team in the competition. So there should be no reason they can't look at every game and say that's not winnable."
Voss said he "always had the hope" this group could rise quickly, but believes the fitness staff deserve some credit for keeping the list healthy.
Carlton was among the teams hit the hardest by injury across his time as coach. It particularly derailed their 2022 and 2024 seasons, with both nose-diving in the final months.
"I mean, there should be no other conversation other than the great work that they're doing and how the players have responded through the course of the season, and should be congratulated for that," he said.
Josh Fraser and Patrick Cripps celebrate a win. AFL Photos
"They're enormously durable now. So I don't know whether that's been talked about at all, but (head of high performance) Rob Inness and (head of medical) Dan James should be given a huge pat on the back for how healthy they are, and fit they are.
"And they're obviously playing a style of football that really stacks up, so credit to the coaches as well and the direction they've given. They're well-placed, and they're sort of in really good form and obviously looking to continue with that momentum."
Carlton needed a fresh start, with Voss winning just 12 of his last 40 games in charge, but nobody expected them to so sharply rise across the second half of 2026.
They overpowered Melbourne on Saturday and will now have their sights firmly on taking down Geelong. The Blues will be hoping to get star forward Will Hayward back from a foot injury suffered in round 24.
