Carlton has struggled this season with just one victory against three defeats, notably surrendering significant leads in the latter halves of their last two games.
Head coach Michael Voss has stated that he is not swayed by the mounting criticism surrounding the team’s performance in the initial rounds of the season.
The Blues are set to face Adelaide on Thursday evening, marking the start of the AFL’s Gather Round festivities.
Voss remains resolute in his focus, dismissing the external pressures faced by the club, and believes that key stakeholders are aligned in their goals.
With a record of 1-3, Carlton has had a challenging start, particularly highlighting their struggle to maintain leads in crucial moments.
As they enter Gather Round, there will be heightened attention on their performance against the home team, Adelaide.
During a recent radio interview, Carlton’s football operations chief Chris Davies was questioned about Voss’s coaching future, assuring fans that no changes would occur before the match against the Crows.
Voss, who received the club’s support last August to continue until at least the end of his contract in 2026, emphasized his commitment to helping the team recover from their current difficulties.
“I don’t focus on external opinions,” Voss remarked regarding the criticism. “At some point, you have to concentrate on the task at hand, which is exactly what we’re doing. My sole focus is on maximizing the team’s potential and providing them with the necessary support to achieve improvement.”
This season, Carlton has only secured victory in one of eight quarters played after halftime, having lost significant leads in their recent matches against Melbourne and North Melbourne.
“We’re not winning, which naturally invites scrutiny,” Voss acknowledged. “It’s expected when you drop games that you should win, but it’s essential to differentiate between what is real and what isn’t.”
Despite the team’s rocky start, Voss feels a strong connection with the club and an understanding of the frustrations of its supporters. “No, I don’t feel disconnected,” he stated. “We all share the sentiment of dissatisfaction with our current standing, and I believe we can all agree on that.”
Carlton will be missing their vice-captain and key defender Jacob Weitering due to a concussion for the challenging matchup against Adelaide, who are also facing pressure after a 1-3 start to their own season.
“Adelaide is known for applying significant pressure, and we must be prepared to withstand that,” Voss noted. “Additionally, we need to be quick in our transitions, as they can capitalize on opportunities. Our defense will need to be at its best.”
