Carlton’s Struggles Continue as Coach Voss Faces Pressure
Carlton coach Michael Voss is under immense pressure as his team continues to struggle with second-half collapses. The Blues have been unable to maintain their leads, and this latest loss to North Melbourne has added to the growing tension around the club.
In a heartbreaking defeat at Marvel Stadium, Carlton fell 14.12 (96) to 13.8 (86) against North Melbourne. The game was a rollercoaster, with the Blues leading by 21 points at one stage in the final quarter. However, they were unable to close out the match, allowing North to take control in the final moments.
The loss marked the ninth time this season that Carlton has fallen behind after leading at halftime. It also came just five days after a similar collapse against Melbourne, where they lost a 43-point lead. These repeated failures have left fans and critics questioning the team’s ability to finish games.
Voss, who was recently backed to see out the remainder of his contract in 2026, now faces an uphill battle to turn things around. The 50-year-old coach did not address questions about his future after the game, instead focusing on the need for improvement.
“It’s a really hard one to take because six or seven minutes out from the finish you’re still feeling like you’re in a really good position in the game,” Voss said. “There’s lots of gains to be made but the scoreboard says we lost, so there’s a clear level of improvement we need to make.”
Despite the loss, Voss denied that his players were mentally struggling during the final quarter. He also dismissed the idea that the team went into a defensive mode to protect their lead.
“I guess if we were starved of opportunity I’d be sitting here in some level of agreeance with you, but I didn’t feel like that’s the way it played out,” he said. “If anything, some moments of composure would’ve helped us to be able to take the sting out of the game.”
Key Moments in the Match
North Melbourne’s victory was a thrilling one, with the Kangaroos taking the lead late in the final quarter. Harry Sheezel scored the crucial goal at the 29-minute mark, but it wasn’t until Jy Simpkin ran into an open goal with 30 seconds left that North secured the win.
This was North’s second win in nine attempts in their Good Friday marquee fixture, marking a strong start to the season under coach Alastair Clarkson. The team has a 3-1 record so far, which is their best start under Clarkson.
Several players stood out for North, including Harry Sheezel (24 disposals), Luke Davies-Uniacke (22), Finn O’Sullivan (21), George Wardlaw (16), and Luke Parker (20). Zane Duursma and Cooper Trembath each kicked three goals, contributing significantly to the victory.
Clarkson expressed his excitement about the win, highlighting the importance of overcoming past struggles. “We haven’t had a hell of a lot of victories over the last three or four years, or perhaps longer than that, and certainly not inspirational, come-from-behind ones like that,” he said.
Carlton’s Efforts
On the other side, Carlton’s players fought hard despite the loss. George Hewett (22 disposals), Patrick Cripps (21), Elijah Hollands (18), and ruckman Marc Pittonet all contributed significantly. Brodie Kemp was the standout for the Blues, kicking three goals in the match.
However, the loss was compounded by an injury to vice-captain Jacob Weitering, who was forced off with concussion after an accidental knee to his head early in the final term. He will be sidelined for at least one match, adding to the challenges facing the team.
