What I am about to write may not be very popular. It is something that I have thought about, rationalised and researched. If some have previously agreed with me, and do not this time, so be it. It is a view that may not sit well with the broader Carlton community.
Regarding the future of Michael Voss, and the news that the Carlton FC Board held a massive and prolonged meeting this week, as reported by the media, here is my take on this. Although I wrote something before the club released a statement, this is no longer relevant. I applaud the Board for its stance and what it has come out and said. Some supporters have gone out of their way to be angered and downright nasty regarding that decision. I have even gone so far as to delete a comment on a page I administer and have banned that person. You don’t need to agree with any decision the club makes, but you don’t need to be nasty, derogatory, or rude. It serves no purpose, as you are not part of the inner workings of the club and therefore do not have all the information, and we have to trust in that decision-making process.
If the Board had decided to get rid of Michael Voss, no prospective player already in the AFL system would think about coming to a club that really has no faith in its coaching team, together with the Board’s ability to understand that stability in a club off-field is a significant factor in stability on the field. This notion that is steeped in the arrogance of the past, has no bearing on what needs to happen now to ensure future success. Toxicity in a club, both on and off the field, and among supporters, will only serve to ensure that no success will ever be within reach.
Tom DeKoning has been in the news, as he has not yet re-signed with Carlton. There is speculation that he could go to St Kilda, who apparently have offered him a considerable amount of money to move. Firstly, is he worth the coinage that has been offered – in my view, no. Do I think he will move to St Kilda? I have spoken to him in the past, and if he is the person I think he is, then no, he won’t go. However, he could have changed in that period. If he does move to St Kilda, then I will hold the door open for him, as it would show that he is not the person I thought he was.
To clarify, if he does go, then he is only going for the money, nothing else. St Kilda is in no way any closer to any attempt at playing in the Finals. There is a more significant cultural issue at the club than anything else. If TDK does go, then he will not achieve a goal that every player in the world of footy wants to achieve: a Premiership. I can guarantee that every player, no matter who they are, would gladly accept a lower salary if it meant they could attain their dream of a Premiership at their club.
Now, this next part will actually anger some Carlton supporters. Jack Silvagni has reportedly had meetings at Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs. If all this is true and he is contemplating leaving Carlton, then, again, I will hold open the door for him. It makes no difference what his family history at the club is or was if he does not want to be there, and the club is not willing to pay the price he probably wants. The horror that some are alluding to, that a Silvagni could be playing at another club, is actually narrow-minded. You need to ask yourselves, what do you want from the club you support? The continuation of a family name at the club or a Premiership? Do you want a player, who I think is not quite so dynamic as his father or grandfather, and who does not want to be at the club? I don’t. I want a Premiership, and if that means that a player with the Silvagni name goes to another club, then so be it. If Jack Silvagni does not want to continue at Carlton, then he should go to another club. If supporters are angered by his move to another club, it is only because of who he is, and not for any other reason. Let me be clear on this, I would love Jack Silvagni to stay, but he has to do what he feels right for him and his family. This has nothing to do with a failure on the club’s part, but rather his own choice.
Every player, no matter how incredible they are, would gladly take a salary cut if it means that they get to wear a Premiership medal. There have been players in the AFL who should have won that medal but did not. This includes Nick Riewoldt, Eddie Betts, Matthew Kreuzer, Marc Murphy, Bryce Gibbs, Andrew Walker, and others. It is possible that some of our current star players may not get the chance to secure a win in a Premiership game. The point is that at the end of the day, all supporters, players, coaches, and administrators of a club want to win the Premiership. It may be that a team will lose beloved players, but that is the nature of the game.
The club has issued a statement confirming that Michael Voss has the full backing of the Board, the players, and the club. As supporters, we need to do the same. If TDK and Jack Silvagni want to go, I will hold the door open for them. If they want to stay, then I will cheer them on because I want to be part of a club that aims for that ultimate success.
The game on Saturday night began with the possibility of a “thrashing” from Gold Coast, who are in Finals contention, but we are not. But in the fourth quarter, the team showed signs of what the younger, inexperienced players would be capable of in the future. Right now is the best time to give them a run in the senior side as for Carlton, there is nothing to lose, only to gain. Those supporters who are furious that we did not win don’t really understand where we are situated right now. To bag, insult, and get nasty towards players and coaches right now because we lost is a prime example of the insidious nastiness that seems to be infiltrating the game. We might lose a game, but we gave inexperienced young players a chance to gain skills and experience when a season is not on the line.
As we head into the end of the season, knowing that we will not be making a bid for the Premiership this year, we need to regroup and come back in 2026 as a stronger, more cohesive, and stable club on and off the field. We saw signs of this on Saturday night. If some players who have been popular and well-loved since their arrival want out, then we need to accept this and let them go. Regardless, I support the game and the club, and I want to see us at least have a chance to be part of a Finals campaign for the long haul.
#AlwayGoBlues!
SPORTZ 