Carlton leader Ed Curnow says he’s playing for caretaker David Teague in order to give him the best chance of winning the full-time coaching job at the AFL battlers.

Curnow is one of several to voice their support for their acting boss, but also says he’ll support the club if they decide to appoint someone else to the role.

Teague’s candidacy has materialised from the faintest of chances to favouritism over the last two months.

Since taking over from axed coach Brendon Bolton, Teague has won five of eight games and brought a feel-good factor back to Princes Park.

That was given voice most recently by captain Patrick Cripps on Sunday, who said he’d boarded the “Teague Train”, and was “all for” him coaching in 2020.

Curnow suggested Cripps was being cheeky with his comments but then offered his own support.

“I’m on board (the Teague Train), that’s for sure,” he said.

“I’m a big supporter of Dave and have known him for a while now.

“I am certainly putting my best foot forward to hopefully get him the best chance he can possibly get at the end of the year.”

Blues football boss Chris Judd has maintained the club will make a decision at year’s end, with Teague saying he’s also happy to wait until then.

Despite the players’ growing endorsements, Curnow – one of five in the Blues leadership group – said he would back whoever the club chose.

“At the moment he’s our coach doing a fantastic job and we’re all loving it,” he said.

“But we’re allowing the club to go ahead with what they need to do to choose the next coach.”

Judd told Footy Classified on Monday night he’d heard the players’ wishes loud and clear.

“They’re very keen for him to be around next year. It’s a really important data point along with lots of others,” Judd said.

After their 24-point loss to West Coast on Sunday, Carlton face another formidable challenge on Sunday at the MCG: Richmond.

Curnow said he expected Dale Thomas and Matthew Kreuzer to present for selection after missing the Eagles match, while Liam Jones could take as long as he needed away from the football club on bereavement leave.

Mitch McGovern remains a longer-term prospect after being stood down last month to work on his fitness.

“We did probably send him out in the year a bit early. That was the eagerness to get him going in the side,” Curnow said.

“He’s been getting smashed and he’s putting a lot of hard work. I’m really proud of him.”