On Sunday just passed, perennial battlers in recent times Carlton, suffered another loss. It was by no means their worst as they succumbed to Essendon by 41 points, just outside the ‘honourable loss’ region that the Blues had been so often labelled with.
Even their paltry score of 33 for the game wasn’t their lowest in recent years, they’d scored 30 in Round 4, 2018 against the Roos. But after years entrenched at the wrong end of the table, club officials had had enough and decided to give Carlton coach Brendon Bolton the sack, just a day after the loss and with another campaign well and truly over before the halfway mark of the season.
Bolton’s record at Carlton was a very unimpressive 16 wins and 66 losses. The team finished last in 2015 before ‘Bolts’ was appointed in 2016. His debut season he got the Blues up to 14th, scoring 7 wins. In 2017 they had 6 wins and dropped down to 16th. 2018 saw them notch just 2 wins as they finished last and in 2019 they are still anchored to the bottom of the ladder, with just 1 victory from 11 games.
Let’s have a look at the front runners and a few others.
Brad Scott ($3.00)
The North Melbourne coach resigned just 9 days ago and already a door looks to be ajar for him. He’s the front runner for the top gig, especially given he’s both available and hasn’t been out of the game for very long. He wouldn’t be bad a pick-up either and a genuine upgrade on Bolton too.
David Teague ($4.00)
The current caretaker coach at the club. If Carlton decides they want to wait til the end of the year and test the market then for a new coach, when more options may be available, this will be a good scenario for Teague, as it will give him a number of months to impress officials. Given he’s already a part of the system there makes him an easy option.
Michael Voss ($8.00)
The legendary Brisbane footy figure that is Michael Voss had a reasonable tenure as coach of the Lions, and has been working as an assistant coach occasionally since. His last season in a top gig was in 2013, which would be the only issue working against him.
Brett Ratten ($11.00)
The former Blues coach who was unceremoniously dumped by the club in 2012, despite still having a year to run on his contract, has gone on to become an assistant coach at Hawthorn and then St.Kilda, where he has been impressive. He took the Blues to 3 straight finals campaigns, with his replacement Mick Malthouse in 2013, the only coach since to get Calrton into the top 8. Would he want a return to the club that fired him though?
Scott Burns ($16.00)
Long touted ‘head-coach in waiting’, has been the bridesmaid for a few senior coaching gigs of late, notably the Suns and the Eagles. Is a highly regarded and respected assistant coach who wouldn’t be a bad option for the Blues. He’s got plenty of experience working with a range of quality coaches of the years.
Matthew Nicks ($31.00)
Practically the GWS deputy coach, Nicks has been at the Giants for almost a decade and has proven to be a no-nonsense type of coach and is keen to move to a more challenging role. Two assets that the Blues officials will be salivating over.
Steven King ($41.00)
At the longest odds, but has plenty of assets and skills to be a senior coach. He’s worked as a coach in the ruck, midfield and with the defenders at both the Saints and more prominently, the Bulldogs.