Under-siege Carlton coach Michael Voss has announced he is standing down from the role after a shocking start to the 2026 AFL season. The three-time premiership player with the Brisbane Lions has been under increasing pressure at the Blues in recent years. This spotlight became glaring in 2026 with the club winning just one match and sitting 16th on the AFL ladder.
A Narrow Loss Highlights Persistent Issues
Carlton showed signs of improvement in a narrow 11-point loss against reigning premiers Brisbane on the weekend, but Voss was left to lament another late-game fadeout. 'It highlights the capacity that's in the group, but it's also a familiar narrative in that the game asks you to play for longer,' Voss said. 'We fought, which was pleasing. We could tell especially after half-time that there was a confidence growing with the group. But we've still got to be better than playing a half of football, we've got to put more time together than that. We can't be comfortable in mediocrity, we've got to have higher standards of ourselves than that. We've put ourselves in positions in most games but I'm also sick of saying that.'
Voss's departure comes after a disastrous start to the season that has seen the club win just one match, losing eight. The decision marks the end of his tenure at Carlton, where he struggled to replicate the success he enjoyed as a player. The club will now begin the search for a new head coach to turn around their fortunes.
