Carlton coach: Ross Lyon pulls out of the race for the top job at Blues

Ross Lyon was the firm favourite to replace David Teague at Carlton but the coaching race has been turned on its head. Here’s the latest.

Sydney hard nut George Hewett is on the Blues’ radar. Picture: Michael Klein

Ross Lyon has pulled out of the race for the Carlton coaching job.

The former St Kilda and Fremantle coach was a firm favourite to take the role after the Blues sacked David Teague.

But Lyon contacted new Blues president Luke Sayers on Thursday to say he was no longer interested.

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Ross Lyon as coach of Fremantle. Getty Images

Carlton named a six-person sub-committee on Wednesday to appoint a new coach.

Newly appointed football director Greg Williams will lead the process alongside fellow directors Tim Lincoln and Patty Kinnersly, three-time premiership coach David Parkin, ceo Cain Liddle and head of football Brad Lloyd.

Asked on Footy Classified if the goal posts had changed because of the sub-committee, Lyon said: “I was watching the news and what was being released so I reached out to Luke today and we connected and said ‘just want some clarity’.

MORE TO COME

Blues hunt Swans’ toughnut to partner Cerra

Carlton is eyeing another one-two punch in this year’s trade period in a bid to dramatically transform its middling midfield unit.

The Blues want to press ahead with plans to land Fremantle playmaker Adam Cerra and tough Sydney free agent George Hewett to fill two key voids in the Blues’ engine room.

Cerra, 21, would bring a slick layer of polish to sharpen its ball use into star forwards Harry McKay and Charlie Curnow, while the unflinching and hard-running Hewett, 25, would provide some hardness, protection and defensive coverage in the clinches.

Sydney hard nut George Hewett is on the Blues’ radar. Picture: Michael Klein

Carlton named a six-person sub-committee on Wednesday to appoint a new coach.

Newly appointed football director Greg Williams will lead the process alongside fellow directors Tim Lincoln and Patty Kinnersly, three-time premiership coach David Parkin, ceo Cain Liddle and head of football Brad Lloyd.

Adding midfield depth is considered Carlton’s list management priority while the man tipped to become the Blues’ new coach, Ross Lyon, will attempt to instil an improved defensive system.

It is another high-stakes exchange period for Carlton with new president Luke Sayers already declaring the Blues should play finals in the new coach’s first year in charge next season.

Last year the Blues brought in free agent Zac Williams from Greater Western Sydney and Adam Saad for a first rounder from Essendon.

But to make the leap into the eight Carlton has to provide more support for Sam Walsh and Patrick Cripps in the middle after ranking 15th for contested possession and ground balls and 16th for clearances this year.

Sayers and new football director Greg Williams have already spoken at length with ex-St Kilda and Fremantle coach Lyon about his football philosophies and principles as they attempt to ramp up the coaching appointment process this week.

Docker Adam Cerra and Blue Zac Williams could be lining up side-by-side next season. Picture: Michael Klein

Cerra would likely cost the Blues their top pick (No. 6) but they won’t have to give up anything for restricted free agent Hewett who is in the last year of a back-ended deal at the Swans.

The Swans, who have a bursting salary cap, are yet to re-sign Luke Parker and could also lose emerging tall Hayden McLean to St Kilda.

The Swans could match a free agency bid for Hewett to force a sweeter trade deal but a game of hard ball appears unlikely for Hewett who has played at least 20 games in five of his six seasons in red and white.

Importantly, Hewett could add a more defensive edge to the Carlton midfield brigade around star ball winners Cripps, Walsh and Cerra.

But the Blues face competition to re-sign Sam Petrevski-Seton, who will have a big decision to make on his future after falling out of favour with former coach David Teague amid a lack of midfield opportunities in 2021.

Several clubs are circling Sam Petrevski-Seton. Picture: Getty Images

Petrevski-Seton is one Blue who could be reinvigorated by a fresh start with as many as six clubs making inquiries about the Western Australian.

But Fremantle does not have strong interest in Petrevski-Seton and at this stage has not made any moves to include him in any Cerra trade deal.

Petrevski-Seton won’t make a call on his contract until a new coach is appointed while Teague’s replacement will also have to rubberstamp plans for Cerra and Hewett.

Lyon is an unabashed fan of Cerra, saying earlier this season “I would take him every day of the week”.

“He is an incredible kid,” Lyon said.

“He (Cerra) was an absolute pro, him and Andy Brayshaw – if you’re talking about applying yourself, you couldn’t have asked (for more).

“He (Cerra) is dedicated, trains hard, and he just wants to be a great player.”

Carlton has expressed interest in extending Paddy Dow’s contract beyond next season, while inside midfielder Will Setterfield is eager to re-establish his place in the engine room next season.

Tough nut Ed Curnow is expected to play more forward next season.

Cats CEO Brian Cook. Picture: Alan Barber

What’s Carlton cooking up on CEO front?

Carlton is chasing highly-respected Geelong chief executive Brian Cook.

The Blues are eyeing Cook, who is one of the game’s most successful administrators, to help lead the club’s administration alongside No. 1 coaching target Ross Lyon.

Cook, 65, was set to retire at the end of the season after an illustrious 23-year CEO career at the Cats, including three premierships.

He is being replaced by former AFL boss Steve Hocking in the Geelong role but was expected to stay on at GMHBA Stadium in a consultancy role.

It remains unclear whether Cook is interested in joining the Blues but it shows Carlton wants to lure high-quality administrators to help spearhead the club’s revival after eight years out of the eight.

Carlton has been contacted for comment.

Carlton president Luke Sayers has refused to guarantee chief executive Cain Liddle and football manager Brad Lloyd’s positions.

Liddle is under pressure after a review into the club’s football operations led to the sacking of coach David Teague.

The Blues were interested in Cook several years ago.

Cook did not return News Corp’s phone calls on Monday.

Lyon is the firm favourite to replace Teague.