Carlton caretaker coach Ash Hansen’s inside knowledge of Western Bulldogs
As Carlton weighs up how to keep Michael Voss involved while in isolation, the Blues’ caretaker coach has proved an invaluable asset in the club’s push for a 2-0 start to 2022. Here’s why.
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Carlton is considering an offer from the AFL to have coach Michael Voss digitally plugged into the coaches’ box on Thursday night as the Blues’ Covid-19 outbreak deepens.
Carlton assistant coach Tim Clarke and head of football Brad Lloyd both returned positive Covid-19 tests on Monday, joining Voss and small forward Jack Martin in AFL Health and Safety Protocols.
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All other Carlton players returned negative rapid antigen tests on Monday.
The Blues have announced that senior assistant coach Ash Hansen will take the reins against the Bulldogs, if he continues to return negative tests in the lead-up to Thursday’s match.
Voss is understood to be fully supportive of Hansen leading the side in his absence.
However, the AFL on Monday offered Carlton the use of technology that would allow Voss to have a presence in the coaches’ box at Marvel Stadium from isolation in his own home.
“That’s an example of what we’re looking at,” AFL executive Travis Auld said.
“Last year the Swans got to the point where a number of the coaches were in a cafe at the same time as a close contact and we almost were at the point where we were going to have a feed of vision going into a meeting room in Sydney where they could coach from there.
“We’ve got some experience having done that. In AFLW we’ve certainly done that. We’ll work through the technology of that, but it’s amazing what you can do when you don’t have any other choices.”
Voss said his new club had to roll with the punches in the wake of their upset Round 1 win over Richmond and the Blues had been prepared for Covid-19 causing havoc this season.
“We’ve made some adjustments but we’ve just got to carry on,” Voss said on Browny’s Podcast.
“It’s another opportunity for us to prove our resilience and how far we’ve come. We’ve tried to systemise as much as we can and just create a business as usual.”
Voss said he had full faith in Hansen – a former Western Bulldogs assistant coach – leading the side.
“We didn’t have to do too much opposition analysis this week,” he said.
“We’ve got that well and truly covered given his depth of knowledge of the group. He’s looking forward to it and he’s certainly very capable.”
Carlton development coaches Dan O’Keefe (midfield) and Torin Baker (forwards) will step up to fill the vacant spots in the coaches’ box, joining Hansen and Aaron Hamill (backline).
All Blues players and staff are required to attend the club for further daily Covid-19 tests before the game.
Blues hopeful Covid outbreak has been contained
Carlton is hopeful it has contained its Covid outbreak to four Blues coaches, officials and players despite Michael Voss missing next Thursday’s clash against the Western Bulldogs.
Blues players and staff all returned a round of negative rapid antigen tests on Saturday morning despite the club’s fears more players might contract Covid.
Half forward Jack Martin will miss the game as well as coach Voss and two staffers who were not assistant coaches.
Coach Voss was in close proximity to many coaches and players through the night, both in the coaches box and MCG rooms.
But while the Blues players will continue daily tests when they are in at the club, Carlton is hopeful they will escape unscathed as Ash Hansen prepares to step in as coach.
Voss had three negative tests on Thursday despite feeling poorly so felt safe to coach.
He deteriorated on Thursday night and tested positive on Friday morning, immediately altering the club, adamant he would never have jeopardised anyone by coaching if he felt he had Covid.
The Blues will monitor Sam Walsh’s fitness during the week as he progresses back from syndesmosis surgery.
He only returned to training last Friday and the club has made clear they will tick off his return when he ticks off specific rehab goals rather than set a concrete return date.
While he might not be ready for the clash against the Bulldogs he is well ahead of schedule given the club had initially feared he might miss up to eight weeks of the AFL season.
Almost every club has been affected by Covid withdrawals in the lead-up to Round 1, but Voss will be the first coach to miss an official match since the start of the pandemic.
Carlton head of football Brad Lloyd said all members of the Blues’ program tested negative before the Tigers’ clash, but the four positive readings came back early on Friday morning.
He said the club would continue to keep a close eye on their players, with the usual testing taking place, while Voss will remain in remote contact with the group during his isolation.
“Importantly, Michael, Jack and our staff are feeling well, which is the number one priority here obviously and they will now isolate for the required periods of time,” Lloyd said.
“All had tested negative prior to interacting with the football program, however by (Friday) all four had returned a positive result.
“The impact of COVID-19 is still clearly a reality that we remain mindful of, so we will make the necessary adjustments, adapt and remain focused on our goal for the next week – which is preparing for a strong performance next Thursday night.”
Lloyd said Voss remained upbeat and confident in the processes put into place heading into next week’s game.
“Obviously, we would want Vossy out there coaching … but Vossy and his coaching staff have embedded some real disciplines throughout the playing group and everyone else will step up and take the reins.
“Ash Hansen is an outstanding coach for the footy club … he will step into the role really well. He has some real potential for that role down the track, so it will be good experience for him.”
This virus won’t spare any footy clubs. Vossy and Jack Martin out with covid next week. But as you can see with him in the background it could easily spread to other coaches and staffers https://t.co/zUSKdPPM4Ohttps://t.co/sF11IfCWqc
— Jon Ralph (@RalphyHeraldSun) March 18, 2022
Close contact rules require those in close proximity to isolate until the results of a negative rapid test, with household contacts also having to remain quarantined.
But the definition of a close contact is having spent four hours with a Covid-positive person in a house, accommodation or care facility.
It means Carlton’s assistant coaches are likely available for the clash against the Dogs given they did not spend four continuous hours in his presence.
Most Carlton players have already had Covid so with some natural immunity the club is well protected.
North Melbourne defender Josh Walker and West Coast forward Liam Ryan have also been withdrawn from Round 1 due to health and safety protocols.
Declan Mountford could become the first Covid replacement player to feature after being added to West Coast’s squad to face Gold Coast in place of Ryan.
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