President Mark LoGiudice guarantees Brendon Bolton will coach Carlton in 2019

CARLTON coach Brendon Bolton is under immense pressure as his club heads towards the worst season in its history. But president Mark LoGiudice has guaranteed he won’t be sacked, MARK ROBINSON reports.

BRENDON Bolton will coach Carlton next year no matter what happens for the remainder of this season.

The embattled Blues have a 1-15 win-loss record and if they don’t win another game, they face the prospect of compiling its worst season in its history.

But that won’t sway the Carlton board to move on Bolton.

THE TACKLE: JED LAMB GOT LUCKY

BAROMETER: EVERY CLUB’S INJURY LIST

BRENDON BOLTON: THE ‘ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM’

Asked if Bolton would survive the season and coach next season, Carlton president Mark LoGiudice was emphatic Bolton would.

“Are you listening … 110 per cent, categoric, it hasn’t even come up in discussion with the board, not even mentioned, not even on the agenda,’’ he told the Herald Sun.

“He will be coach of this football club next year. Don’t matter what you hear from anyone else, Brendon will be coaching the Carlton Football Club next year.’’

Following the heavy defeat against St Kilda on Friday night, there was unfounded commentary Bolton was under pressure to keep his job.

There has also been unfounded speculation there could be a board challenge.

Bolton this year was locked in as coach until the end of the 2020 season and has fierce support from the board, which includes football director Chris Judd.

Outspoken former Carlton captain Mark Maclure said Bolton deserved to continue his plan to revitalise the club’s list and performance.

“I agree with Mark,” Maclure said.

“The problem is not the coaching staff, the problem is we haven’t got enough kids up and going, that’s the problem.

“We got rid of a whole lot of players in the mid-age group, from 24 to 28, so we haven’t got the numbers who can play.

“The whole thing about it is they think they know what they’re doing so you have to let them go.

“And (list manager Stephen) Silvagni is the one under pressure because he needs to produce. It’s OK picking up the GWS blokes, but that’s finished now, they held us together for a little while, but now it’s back on Stephen.”

The decision to strip the list over the past three off-seasons, however, has Maclure torn.

“The argument is did we go down the right path?” Maclure said.

“Look at Hawthorn, they buy a premiership because they continue to put players on their list from other clubs.

Carlton president Mark LoGiudice and coach Brendon Bolton. Picture: Kylie Else

“We went back to scratch to start again, we’re right at the bottom now.

“Sydney has made the finals for 20 years and drafting hasn’t been issue because they don’t worry about it. They develop their players.”

The 10-goal loss to the Saints left Maclure mystified about the lack of fight and leadership from the players.

Maclure scoffed at smaller St Kilda players pushing around Carlton players.

“We need to see leadership on the field. ‘’ he said. ‘’I couldn’t believe they were being pushed round and accept it.”

Watch every match of every round of the 2018 Toyota AFL Premiership Season. SIGN UP NOW >