AFL 2025: Carlton coach Michael Voss says no need for mass changes despite round 1 loss to Richmond

Carlton will be aided by the return of a star of the competition, but he will be one of few major changes as the Blues refuse to react brashly to round 1.

Carlton won’t be “folding to a noise” after its disastrous round 1 loss to Richmond and adjusting its strategy for the in-form Hawthorn on Thursday night.

Blues coach Michael Voss will be boosted by the return of star forward Charlie Curnow but it will be one of few major changes he will make.

Voss said the Blues did not ignore their performance against the Tigers, where they let a 41-point lead slip, but would not throw out their preparation in reaction to one poor defeat.

“We’re really confident on the body of work we’ve been able to complete over the pre-season,” Voss said.

“I couldn’t be more impressed with our prep, that (result) seemed a bit unusual what turned up to me.

“I don’t think that means it’s not addressed, we’re trying to find that version where we’re consistent no matter the circumstance.

“Clearly, the information we get is that we’re not that yet, but we’re closing the gap, we reinforce the things we want to play like.”

Carlton coach Michael Voss won’t ignore his side’s performance but also won’t ‘make it bigger than what it is’. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Richmond had a competition-high 55 rebound 50s in round 1, eight more than the next best and more than double the Blues.

Voss said the Blues wouldn’t “make it bigger than what it is” by swinging mass changes.

“Sometimes in these instances when things don’t go well you’ve got to double down on things, you just can’t go ‘oh well that didn’t work, there was a few errors, let’s go in a different direction’,” he said.

“I don’t think that’s strong leadership, I think you’re folding to a noise if you want to call it to that when you’ve been rehearsing something for a long period of time and seen it work and execute.

“We just need to make sure we transfer it on the weekend.”

Charlie Curnow will be a much-needed return to the Blues on Thursday. Picture: Josh Chadwick/Getty Images

Curnow returns from an ankle injury he suffered during the pre-season.

Voss said the two-time Coleman Medal winner, who was touch and go last week, was “well and truly ready” to make an impact.

“It does help that he’s got an extra week under his belt. He possibly could have done that last week but I definitely think it would’ve been pulling the trigger too early,” he said.

“He’s well and truly ready, speaking (to him) yesterday he’s really excited and keen to get out there.

“He’s a performer but again we’re not in this conversation around one person is going to make a difference here.

“Clearly, what makes the difference is when we stay connected as an 18-man team and we’ve spoken a lot about squad mentality.”

A loss to Hawthorn would ramp up the heat on the Blues who play the Western Bulldogs and Collingwood in the following two rounds.

Originally published as AFL 2025: Carlton coach Michael Voss says no need for mass changes despite round 1 loss to Richmond