Carlton sacks coach Brendon Bolton after dismal 1-10 start to 2019
Carlton president Mark LoGiudice says the club has not approached any prospective replacements for Brendon Bolton as David Teague prepares to take over as interim coach.
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Axed Carlton coach Brendon Bolton expects Carlton’s next senior coach will ‘reap the rewards’ of the drastic player turnover which took place during his four-year tenure.
The battling Blues have turned over 56 players since Bolton was appointed as Mick Malthouse’s successor at Carlton in 2015.
After six and seven-win campaigns in Bolton’s first two years at the club, the Blues have won only three of their 33 matches since the start of 2018.
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“We have made decisions all in the long-term,” Bolton said.
“Ultimately the long-term probably got me. But I think now it is set up for whoever to take over to reap the rewards and I really hope they get in behind Teaguey and then see what happens.”
Bolton said he understood the decision, which came in the wake of the club’s disastrous 41-point loss to traditional rival Essendon on Sunday.
“I understand the reality of this caper. The win-loss threshold just got too much,” he said. “I’m disappointed but I understand it. It’s another Carlton-first decision”
Clearly Bolts is gone. Gets to the stage where it costs more to keep a coach than retain him. 1pm meeting with staff and players, can only assume that's when he will be told.
— Jon Ralph (@RalphyHeraldSun) June 3, 2019
The former Hawthorn assistant said Carlton had built a list which would be successful during his reign.
“(List manager Stephen Silvagni) has got a lot of young talent in now,” he said.
“They can grow up together, stay united, get in behind Teaguey for the rest of the year.
“I’m sure they will. The great thing about this group is they are very tight-knit.
“I am sure if this group stays united the results will come.”
Installed as Carlton’s coach ahead of the 2016 season, Bolton finishes with a 16-61 record from 77 games at the helm.
“Quite simply the lack of wins has fallen short of what our football club expects at this stage of its development,” president Mark LoGiudice said.
“There was an expectation this season that we would start to see the benefits of that development however to this point that has not occurred to the level we expected and Carlton cannot afford to sit back and wait any longer.”
Assistant David Teague has been confirmed as interim coach.
It comes after it emerged earlier today Carlton president Mark LoGuidice had held discussions with senior Blues figures.
CARLTON: BOLTON SAYS HE HASN’T LOST FAITH OF PLAYING GROUP
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Carlton has said it would stand by Bolton until the end of the year, but the former Hawthorn assistant has come under increasing pressure.
“While decisions such as today’s are difficult, they are necessary so that we can continue to progress towards our ultimate goal of winning premierships for our football club,” LoGiudice said.
Bolton: To the Bluebaggers, wow. Keep cheering on these boys, they're inspired by you.
— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) June 3, 2019
After yesterday’s defeat to Essendon, Bolton said: “I’m human, I’m frustrated, but I’m determined as ever and invested in trying to help our staff and players. My main worry is not about myself. If you under pressure and you are feeling heat the easiest thing is to go internal.”
Players and staff are believed to have been told of Bolton’s sacking about 1pm.
The Blues stuck at the bottom of the ladder and in danger of having traded away the No. 1 draft pick.
LoGiudice: We're not starting again. We'll continue to make changes to take this club forward.
— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) June 3, 2019
Carlton swapped its first-round pick in this year’s draft with Adelaide to land Morrish Medal winner Liam Stocker.
But the trade has backfired, with the Blues two games adrift of Gold Coast in 18th.
Blues chief executive Cain Liddle backed the pick swap at today’s press conference.
“The very pick that we are now talking about we offered up in a trade for Dylan Shiel anyway,” Liddle said.
“It was always a plan that that would potentially be where we went.
“Our recruiters were very, very strong on Liam. To be fair everything I have seen so far has been pretty good.
“When that player was available, there was an opportunity...to trade the spot, which we did.
“At this point we are comfortable with that decision.”
LoGiudice said he would not consider his decision after Bolton’s sacking.
KEY MOMENTS
August 25, 2015: Carlton announces Brendon Bolton as senior coach, with then CEO Steven Trigg declaring it hopes he will be will be ‘a long-term coach of our football club as we build toward sustained success’. A former high school PE teacher, Bolton arrives as a former assistant at Hawthorn and coach of VFL club Box Hill. The club subcommittee consisted of Chris Judd and Ken Sheldon, national soccer coach Ange Postecoglou, Blues CEO Steven Trigg and recruiting specialist David Campbell.
March 24, 2016: Bolton coaches his first game in the season opener against Richmond, which results in a nine-point defeat.
April 2014, 2016: After four losses to start his tenure, Bolton secures his first win as Carlton holds on to defeat Fremantle by four points.
August 27, 2016: Carlton rounds out Bolton’s first year in charge with a 24-point loss and finishes 14th with a 7-15 record. It turns out to be the best record of his three full seasons in charge.
July 18, 2018: Carlton chief executive Cain Liddle concedes the Blues under invested in their football department in Bolton’s first two years, telling the Herald Sun, “we have gone from having the most under-invested coaching and development department and list and recruiting department to now sitting in the top quartile of those”.
November 22, 2018: Carlton springs a surprise on draft night, swapping 2019 first-round selections with Adelaide to land TAC Cup Morrish medallist Liam Stocker.
May 20, 2019: Blues football director Chris Judd tells Footy Classified:“Right now I fully expect him to be there for the end of the season and we’re planning like he’s the long-term coach of this football club.”
June 2, 2019: Bolton coaches his last game at Carlton, a 41-point loss tom Essendon. Post-match, he tells reporters: My main worry is not about myself. If you under pressure and you are feeling heat the easiest thing is to go internal.”
June 3, 2019: The Blues sack Bolton with a 16-61 record from his 77 games in charge.
BY THE NUMBERS
Bolton’s seasons at Carlton
2016: 7-15 (14th)
2017: 6-16 (16th)
2018: 2-20 (18th)
2019: 1-10 (18th)
Wins: 16
Losses: 61
Winning percentage: 20.8 per cent
Average points per game: 68.2
Average points conceded: 94.7
Greatest winning margin: 44 points, Round 5, 2019 vs Western Bulldogs. 15.11 (101) to 7.15 (57).
Heaviest defeat: 109 points, Round 9, 2018 vs Melbourne. 25.9 (159) to 7.8 (50).
Average winning margin: 17.5 points (only four of 16 wins by more than 20 points)
Average defeat: 38.1 points
100+ point losses: Three
60+ losses: 17
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