Carlton rebuild needs a dogged senior coach, says Darcy Vescio

A Carlton star says the Blues need to be pushed further by their new coach, as the club admits it has failed to nail its AFLW program.

Carlton players understand they need to lift their standards next season and a new coach will play an important role in upping the ante, star forward Darcy Vescio says.

The Blues are searching for a new women’s football boss and senior coach after an internal club review led to the departures of Brett Munro and Daniel Harford at the end of January.

Carlton chief executive Brian Cook said the next three weeks would be “crucial” for the Blues as they look to fill the roles before the looming sign and trade period, which could start as soon as late February.

Cook admitted the club had not allocated sufficient resources to its women’s program in 2022 but said a conscious decision had been made to prioritise the separate review of its men’s program during the season.

Carlton chief executive Brian Cook says not enough of the club’s resources were allocated to its women’s program in 2022. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

“I think the energy levels in our football club were focused on the AFL men’s review last year and then the recommendation and the implementation of that,” he said.

“We as a club acknowledge that, we don’t shy away from that point. I think if we could’ve achieved a review for both last year we might have done that.”

It was challenging to hire “quality people” into women’s football roles due to the AFL’s football department soft cap, Cook said.

“We have 35 staff in AFLW … most clubs have about 25, so it means we have a lot more part-timers,” he said.

“It really is an AFL issue, it’s about resources … and how quickly the AFL wants for this competition to become full-time, if they actually do, because I’ve never heard that from them yet.”

Carlton star Darcy Vescio said the Blues wanted a coach who would ‘drive professionalism’ among the playing group. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Co-vice captain Vescio said the players personally felt “energised” by the review, and they agreed they needed to be “held to really high standards”.

“I hope that this can be a bit of a reset for us in terms of setting better standards for ourselves and each other,” Vescio said.

“It’s been highlighted in the review that we need … a coach who will really drive that professionalism. Someone who is relentless in that pursuit will suit the group really well.”

Carlton announced the extension of its partnership with co-major sponsor Hyundai on Thursday, with the five-year deal including the motor company doubling its financial commitment to the Blues’ AFLW side.

“The partnership has grown significantly to date, and will continue to grow in the next five years, with Hyundai committed to the expansion of women’s sport,” Cook said.