Carlton coaching: Greg Williams speaks for first time on Blues search for new mentor
Carlton’s new football director has provided an insight into the club’s coach search, while putting the onus on the club’s players to lift their standards.
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Carlton says its coaching process won’t be the same for each of its applicants as it combs through a “short list” of candidates over the next few weeks.
New football director Greg Williams has spoken for the first time since taking on the job to help find David Teague’s replacement, saying he shared the fans’ frustration in the Blues’ lack of success over the past two decades.
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But the club’s priority targets in Alastair Clarkson, Ross Lyon, Nathan Buckley and Brad Scott all appear to be out of reach, leaving Don Pyke, Michael Voss, Daniel Giansiracusa, Robert Harvey, Jaymie Graham and Adam Kingsley as the main candidates.
Williams shed some light on the next steps, saying the interview process wouldn’t be the same for every candidate, depending on their level of experience.
“We have got great people on the (selection) panel. David Parkin has been unreal already,” Williams said.
“The group that we have got there, we have done a lot of work behind the scenes.
“The process is different for different people; different levels of coaches.
“But it is a short list. We have picked a short list of quality coaches and we are looking forward to the next few weeks coming up with the right person.”
Hawthorn premiership mastermind Clarkson has repeatedly said he will take a year off, while ex-North Melbourne coach Scott is expected to take on the AFL football manager role.
Lyon pulled out after he was told he would face a 30-45 day selection process.
Geelong chief executive Brian Cook is expected to accept the vacant chief executive role, helping bolster the search for a new coach.
Williams, a dual Brownlow medallist and champion midfielder, said he was excited about the club’s direction but admitted the standards around the club had to improve.
The Carlton great and 1995 premiership player said he wouldn’t be shy offering feedback.
“I’m really confident the football department is going to be in good hands,” he said.
“The players are well looked after but they’re going to be tested. We have been average for too long
“The players have got to lift, the whole club’s got to lift and I am confident with the board, and the people we get in — we will be getting back to clubs are going to worry about it when they play us.
“That is the main thing.”
He said there had been “serious” and “open” conversations about raising the bar.
“I really believe we can move on quickly and I think the players will,” he said.
“It will be made very clear the standards are going to be a lot higher than they have been and the players’ know that.
“They all look so excited, they all want to be here, no one wants to leave.
“The frustration, I understand it, but we are going to turn it around.
How Voss responded to Blues’ phone call
Carlton has contacted Port Adelaide senior assistant Michael Voss as part of the Blues’ hunt for a new senior coach, but the Brisbane Lions legend says there’s a “strong chance” he’ll remain at Port Adelaide next year.
The three-time premiership winner was seen as the frontrunner when the Blues last were searching for a senior coach in 2019.
He flew to Melbourne for an interview but the job went to then caretaker coach David Teague.
But with Teague sacked and high-profile candidates including Alastair Clarkson declaring they are out of the race, Voss has been contacted by the Blues.
“I’ve had a discussion with them, but it hasn’t progressed anywhere of yet,” he said on SEN SA.
Voss got to the final few of the previously vacant Collingwood job, won by Craig McRae, and said he would have to think if he wants to have another crack at a senior coaching position.
“I would if I’m involved, but to be honest, I’ve given this little thought,” he said.
“Once the Collingwood job had finalised I had not really given any thought to much else because it was such a big month coming up.
“I guess that’s what the next few days hold for me and I will make some decisions off the back of that.”
But Voss said he was more likely to stay at Alberton.
“I would have thought there is a strong chance I’m at Port Adelaide next year, yes,” he said.
Fellow possible candidates Ross Lyon and Justin Leppitsch both pulled out of the race to replace the now sacked Teague in the past two weeks.
Lyon said he was comfortable with his decision and didn’t feel let down, even if some things remained unclear.
“Even I haven’t got both sides of the fence, fully. The only one that has everything (information) is Luke Sayers because he has had conversations with me and (knows) his position and his board’s position,” Lyon said on Channel 9 on Wednesday.
Leppitsch said he was “down the path of other things”, which will see him reunite with his three-time premiership teammate McRae in a defensive coaching role at the Magpies.
“It’s probably the worst kept secret in the world that is about to get announced hopefully soon,” he said.
“There are other options for me.”
Originally published as Carlton coaching: Greg Williams speaks for first time on Blues search for new mentor
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