Who are the top contenders to coach Carlton in 2020?

After Carlton sacked Brendon Bolton, which assistant coaches will lead the race to replace him? From a return for Brett Ratten to Sam Mitchell, Jon Ralph analyses the senior coaches-in-waiting.

If you want your team to play in the fearsome manner of Michael Voss, why not just hire the man himself to coach them?

Of all the comments in the fallout from Carlton’s disastrous loss to GWS in Round 9, one stood out.

Asked about Shane Mumford’s hit on Marc Murphy, Blues football boss Brad Lloyd expressed sympathy for his fallen player.

But as he said, “you talk about being brutal in the contest, I would like to see more physicality from us”.

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Who will succeed Brendon Bolton as Carlton coach? Picture: Phil Hillyard

After the Blues sacked Brendon Bolton, there are a heap of options available including the Lions legend and Port Adelaide assistant.

And as funny as it sounds, the Carlton job is an enticing prospect for coaches because of the array of talent on the list.

Here are the men who Carlton should consider.

1. BRETT RATTEN (St Kilda)

Could he do an Alex Jesaulenko or Tony Jewell, a pair of sacked premiership coaches who then returned to their clubs to coach again?

The clear issue is the “optics”, as Gillon McLachlan would say, as well as the fact president Mark LoGiudice was a board member in 2012 when the club gave him the flick.

Since then he has furthered his growth as part of the Hawks three-peat and has been drawn strong plaudits in his first year at the Saints.

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Could Brett Ratten coach Carlton again? Picture: Michael Klein

2. MICHAEL VOSS (Port Adelaide)

Five tough years at Brisbane then five more as a senior assistant at Port Adelaide has him primed for a second chance.

He is a respected name who would bring immediate hype and buy-in from the Carlton faithful.

3. BEN RUTTEN (Essendon)

Has won rave reviews after helping rebuild the Tigers defensive systems and although he hasn’t worked wonders yet at Essendon, the players have still been impressed by his manner and coaching acumen.

4. SAM MITCHELL (Hawthorn)

Surely he is not ready at only 36 years of age and with only one year as an assistant coach before moving back to Hawthorn as a midfield coach. Might be ready for a Hawks coaching succession plan beyond Alastair Clarkson but rivals are aware of his huge coaching potential.

Sam Mitchell returned to Hawthorn this year as an assistant coach. Picture: Getty

5. MATTHEW NICKS (GWS)

Has moved to GWS as a senior assistant after eight years at Port Adelaide. The rise of GWS again this year can only help him given a good balance of relationship-building and tactical nous.

6. ROBERT HARVEY (Collingwood)

The St Kilda dual Brownlow Medallist has made all the right moves as a Carlton assistant who moved to St Kilda, then Collingwood as a backline coach. Then took charge of the midfield, which is now taking all before it.

7. CRAIG JENNINGS (Melbourne)

Simon Goodwin’s right-hand man has developed a strong band of admirers after working his way up the ranks from his playing days in the North Melbourne Under-19s. Good experience with Essendon and then the Dogs before crossing to Melbourne.

8. BRAD SCOTT

The former North Melbourne coach is on the market after being sacked by the Roos and has been linked with the Carlton and St Kilda jobs. As one of the few experienced candidates available, Scott offers a point of difference. 

OTHERS TO CONSIDER

Adam Kingsley (Richmond), Blake Caracella (Richmond), Brett Kirk (Sydney), Scott Burns (Hawthorn).

Originally published as Who are the top contenders to coach Carlton in 2020?