Diesel back to Blues as director, makes Lyon top target

Carlton football director Greg Williams and his new-look board have made Ross Lyon their No.1 target to coach the Blues in 2022, after the club fell short in its desperate attempts to lure Alastair Clarkson to the club.

Sources close to Williams have told The Age that he has agreed to replace fellow dual-Brownlow medallist Chris Judd on the board.

Greg Williams during his playing days.Credit: Vince Caligiuri

The club is expected to bring in four new board members this week, at the same time it announces it has parted ways with embattled coach David Teague.

Former President Mark LoGiudice has recently left the club, while Jeanne Pratt is also expected to vacate her position.

Significant change at board level has long been called for at Carlton, given the club’s poor record of hiring and firing coaches in short spaces of time.

Club sources say the Blues held discussions with Clarkson and his management this week and while the four-time premiership coach was interested in the role, he ultimately wanted to spend a year with his family away from football.

In demand: Ross Lyon.Credit: Getty Images

Securing Lyon – who took both St Kilda and Fremantle to grand finals – as the Blues’ next coach is now the club’s top priority.

As of Wednesday morning, Teague had not been told if he was continuing in his role as senior coach. He is contracted for next season.

The club’s board met again on Wednesday where the results of the review continued to be discussed.

The club has announced this week that transitions coach Brent Stanton would not be offered a new deal. He is expected to be one of several assistants to depart in the coming weeks.

Williams played 250 games, including 109 for Carlton in the 1990s when he became a premiership player in 1995.

Known as “Diesel”, he is listed in the centre of Carlton’s Team of the Century and has remained close with the club over recent years, in roles which included him working closely with the likes of Patrick Cripps.

Williams has also mentored players away from Carlton, including fellow Brownlow medallists Tom Mitchell and Lachie Neale.

Carlton had previously sounded out former Brisbane coach Justin Leppitsch for both a senior assistant role but also as football director.