Mark Robinson: Michael Voss must embrace the style that made him an AFL legend to revive Carlton

It’s truth time for Carlton. Mark Robinson takes a look at the biggest issues facing the Blues, from the star forward to the skipper.

AFL Grand Final. Nathan Buckley congratulates Michael Voss. ex melb. 27/9/03 pic David Geraghty.

Michael Voss the player would love the challenge of playing all conquering Collingwood at the MCG in front of 80,000 maniac fans.

He was a big occasion player, and bigger the better, and when the ball was bounced, he’d transport himself from a cool and calm character into a killer competitor.

Michael Voss the coach, as noted by Nathan Buckley this week, needs to “remember who he is.”

It was an enlightening insight from Buckley.

Voss has external commentary banging down his door on Royal Parade, but Buckley’s observations might’ve cut through.

Be yourself, Vossy.

Toughen this group, Vossy.

Be the ruthless prick you were as a player, Vossy.

Voss was famously ruthless and combative as a player for the Lions.

It’s time to find out who are the paying passengers in his team and who’s riding for free.

The coach has scrutiny on him because while Harry McKay needs to kick goals, and Cripps needs to influence, and their teammates need to hit targets and run and move the ball, Voss’s job is to try to install that killer competitiveness.

The Blues don’t scare anyone.

In contrast to last year, they are seen as a mellow team, too hesitant with the ball, too slow from halfback and lacking skills to finish their work.

They were much better against the Bulldogs last Friday night, and will need to be much better again to contend with the Pies on Sunday.

Voss is being questioned. His win-loss record is being compared to David Teague’s tenure as coach, and Teague was sacked, and Voss might also be sacked.

He might also resuscitate his team. A win on Sunday would do wonders. It would certainly shut up the antagonists.

Whatever, it’s truth time for Carlton.

McKay is torching his team. He’s an $800,000 player with a $10,000 left leg. In the past 15 games, he’s kicked 21.22 from 56 shots. He’s lost Carlton games. It’s harsh but true.

Blues forward Harry McKay is struggling in front of the big sticks. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The skipper fronted the media on Monday. He needs to improve his kicking, he didn’t lay a tackle against the Dogs and won only one centre clearance. Cripps knows he needs to be better.

You could list every player and discuss their responsibilities.

Voss will have a plan for the Pies. They can’t go head to head and cross their fingers because the Pies will run them ragged. So what will it be?

Against the Dogs, they were defensively strong and wore them down and for a time there it looked like the Blues would win. They couldn’t maintain the rage at the end, which was disappointing, but the Blues were hard to play against which was a tick.

They need to go blue-collar again with a few surprises.

Ed Curnow was the sub last week. He needs to go to either of the Daicos boys. Curnow’s not fast, but he can do a job. Has for a decade. What about George Hewitt for Jordan De Goey? Annoy him, give him something to think about offensively, talk about Bali, anything, just try to disrupt his sparkling football because he’s getting it too easy, De Goey.

We know Voss the player would.

Maybe play McKay higher up the ground? Maybe Mitch McGovern forward? Can McGovern pinch hit in the ruck instead of Silvagni in a Jeremy Finlayson type manner? What about Durdin and Motlop through the middle, change the mix, a bit of speed and burst occasionally.

Has Cottrell got a job in him? Josh Daicos or Steele Sidebottom on a wing? Especially not allow them to fold back alone and set up the play.

The Blues may need to change some things up to end their lean run of form. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The aim is to try to make players uncomfortable in their environment.

It will be a massive challenge because the Blues fundamentally are too nice. They play without menace. From round 5 at least. And in all that time, Voss has remained cool and calm and positive.

It’s why Buckley spoke out. “I reckon Vossy needs to remember who he is,’’ Buckley said on SEN.

“What I see on the outside is Vossy is one of the most combative, competitive individuals that I’ve ever faced in the game.

“I’m really conscious that he’s aware of not wanting to throw his players under the bus, because you need to maintain the relationship with your players.

“But there still is a balance that you need to reach around, challenge and call it for what it is and say what it is and that is that they are not playing well enough.

“The players are not emptying out, we’re not seeing the energy that we expect.’’.

Buckley (R) says Voss must embrace his combative playing style as a coach. Pic: David Geraghty.

The Blues are ninth with four wins, four losses and a draw. It’s far from disastrous, but it seems like the Blues are battling expectations as well as opposition teams, as well as their own demons.

Has Voss got it in him to get his team to challenge?

Have the players got it in them to turnaround their season? To earn their keep? Who knows.

But if they don’t, then ruthless Voss will certainly emerge. Because if these players can’t do it, he’ll need to find players who can. That’s if Voss survives himself.

What a delicate period the Blues find themselves in.