‘That’s fair’: Voss admits composure failing the Blues as Bulldogs score comeback win

Michael Voss and the Blues are searching for answers after a horror start to their 2025 campaign.Credit: AFL Photos

The winless Carlton’s season is on life support only three rounds in, suffering a last-gasp eight-point defeat to an under-strength but gutsy Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium.

Goals to Aaron Naughton – who otherwise had a dirty night – and James O’Donnell inside the last five minutes saw the Bulldogs improve to a 2-1 record, despite missing the likes of Marcus Bontempelli, Adam Treloar, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Cody Weightman.

The Blues led by as many as 24 points in the second quarter, out-of-contract ruckman Tom De Koning starred and Brodie Kemp kicked five goals, but they are without a win through three games.

There will be a spotlight on Carlton’s second-half performance again, given the Bulldogs kicked eight goals to the Blues’ four to run over the top of them.

Richmond erased a 41-point deficit with a nine-goal-to-two second half against Carlton in round one before Hawthorn booted seven goals to the Blues’ two in the final two quarters last week.

VFL recruit Sam Davidson racked up a game-high 20 kicks and 31 disposals overall in a stunning breakout performance, while ex-Carlton midfielder Matt Kennedy won nine clearances, including four in the match-winning fourth quarter.

Jack Silvagni was excellent down back in restricting Naughton to only six disposals, and Kemp (five), Charlie Curnow (three) and Lewis Young (two) kicked 10 goals between them. Young also quelled Rory Lobb in a defensive forward role.

The performance was mostly positive for the Blues, but they are now in a deep hole and pressure is mounting on coach Michael Voss.

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Blues coach Michael Voss spoke to the media post game.

Blues coach Michael Voss walks off after the loss to the Bulldogs.Credit: Getty Images

How do you process that result?
I felt like ... [We lost] composure different times of the game. Up until now, our best is pretty good but we do seem to be straying from us more than we would like. It is little pockets and windows for the opposition to walk through – we are inviting them into the game. That is not giving enough credit to the opposition because you still have to get that done. I would like to think they know I appreciate what it takes [to be] in a position to be able to step up. [In the] second quarter, we gave two D50 [defensive-50] stoppage goals against ... [there’s something in] the detail of that and being able to stick with what we do, our method, how we want to defend that part of the ground.

In the third quarter, [we were] just enabling their marks and [they were] getting territory really easy on the ground. We weren’t able to take that off them. Through the third quarter ... inside-50 entry was off and we fuelled the game and invited them back in.

We didn’t have the composure, giving away eight free kicks in the last quarter. [We] just have to get better. The consistency, and what we need to be able to play, it is not where we want it.

I could spend a lot of time on the numbers, but it is not going to matter because the numbers actually stack up OK. It is the small moments that is enabling the opposition to get back into the game. It has been on our boot, and we haven’t been able to finish the deal so we have to own that.

Is that the third game in a row where composure has been an issue in the final quarter?
That is fair. We have to find a way through that. So, we will go back, have a look at it – some people will say, ‘Are you not running out games?’ Maybe that is part of it. Maybe we should factor that in.

If we had better moments to be able to control the ball, we would have found ourselves on the different side of the ledger. That is something we will have to look at and see if we can, in the fourth quarter, do that better.

What is going on in the second half?
A lot of that is inefficiency – a lot of points attached to that in the first half. Today, varying reasons, but ultimately the Bulldogs were able to step up their game, owned the ball more than we would like. In the last quarter we were unable to finish the way we wanted to. We will keep persisting through that, keep looking for those moments and how we get better, but a simple thing like being able or not able to give away eight free kicks – that is not running capacity, that is showing care in the contest. You can be frustrated by it, but the reality is they probably were there without looking at them in any detail. If we don’t accept it, we won’t get better. We have to find ways to go and do that.

Is it a panicking, or a pressure thing?
All I can do is look back at the vision and look at it and see the moments and show the moments where we could have done better. That is how we defend better, or what we needed to do with the ball in hand.

(Voss also said he didn’t know if Patrick Cripps had an injury concern. He said they hoped Zac Williams had a minor calf injury but he hasn’t confirmed that with the medical teams)

Carlton’s Adam Cerra spoke to Seven in the post-match.

Adam Cerra was wrapped up in this crunching tackle by Tom Liberatore.Credit: Getty Images

What do you make of that performance and the result?
[We’re] as frustrated as anyone with the result. We thought, again, we had the game on our terms and thought we played good footy, but not consistently enough. The game was there to be won and we’e just frustrated as much as anyone. [We’re] looking to get better again.

Do you feel like you ran out of legs at the end of the game, or were the Bulldogs just overpowering in the end?
I think it was just inconsistency going forward, [them] being more efficient. Three weeks in we have defended really well and held teams to low scores, but that is on ourselves. [I[ wouldn’t put it down to capacity – we had a strong pre-season. It was a matter of being consistent for four quarters.

[It was a] breakout game for Brodie Kemp, kicking five. What did you make of his performance?
He was massive. [He] competed well in the air – credit to him.

Tom De Koning, 28 disposals ... he was fantastic.
Tom has had a great start for the year, he competes in every contest, [it’s] a massive strength for him and we are grateful to have him playing with us.

Speaking of the disappointment in the room tonight, what does it mean to the group to have an opportunity on Thursday night to play Collingwood?
We would love a six-day break after the loss – we will be learning and itching to get back out there against Collingwood and play for four quarters of footy.

Bulldogs star Sam Darcy spoke to Seven in the post-game.

Sam Darcy of the Bulldogs celebrates a goal.Credit: Getty Images

Sam Darcy, there’s been a lot of conversation about you to start 2025 and rightly so, how as that win?
After a tough loss last week, [it’s] just awesome to get the points in the way we fought out in the second half ... great game.

How do you keep setting yourself to get better and better ... only 21 years old... [it’s] quite remarkable that you are just improving in every single outing you produce for the Bulldogs...
I just want to get the best out of myself and do what I can to help the team win. [I’m] learning from some great players and encouraging staff, so I am enjoying it.

How was the match-up with Jacob Weitering tonight?
He is a really good player, really strong. [It was a] challenge at times but a good experience to play on someone like him.

Watching [Matt] Kennedy down here playing against his old side for the first time, snagging a couple – how has he slotted in?
He has been unreal, yep, slotted in so well and is such character. [It’s] awesome to see him play well against his old mob.

What about your dad [Luke] – we love him at Seven, [he’s] an absolute legend. How much feedback and advice, and support does he provide around your football, or does he let you do your thing?
My whole family has really supported me through the years, but the old man is laid back but is obviously there if I need him.

Michael Voss and the Blues are searching for answers after a horror start to their 2025 campaign.Credit: AFL Photos

The winless Carlton’s season is on life support only three rounds in, suffering a last-gasp eight-point defeat to an under-strength but gutsy Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium.

Goals to Aaron Naughton – who otherwise had a dirty night – and James O’Donnell inside the last five minutes saw the Bulldogs improve to a 2-1 record, despite missing the likes of Marcus Bontempelli, Adam Treloar, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Cody Weightman.

The Blues led by as many as 24 points in the second quarter, out-of-contract ruckman Tom De Koning starred and Brodie Kemp kicked five goals, but they are without a win through three games.

There will be a spotlight on Carlton’s second-half performance again, given the Bulldogs kicked eight goals to the Blues’ four to run over the top of them.

Richmond erased a 41-point deficit with a nine-goal-to-two second half against Carlton in round one before Hawthorn booted seven goals to the Blues’ two in the final two quarters last week.

VFL recruit Sam Davidson racked up a game-high 20 kicks and 31 disposals overall in a stunning breakout performance, while ex-Carlton midfielder Matt Kennedy won nine clearances, including four in the match-winning fourth quarter.

Jack Silvagni was excellent down back in restricting Naughton to only six disposals, and Kemp (five), Charlie Curnow (three) and Lewis Young (two) kicked 10 goals between them. Young also quelled Rory Lobb in a defensive forward role.

The performance was mostly positive for the Blues, but they are now in a deep hole and pressure is mounting on coach Michael Voss.

Matt Kennedy admits he still feels strongly about his former Blues teammates, despite playing a huge role in his new club’s win over Carlton tonight.

Kennedy had 22 possessions and kicked two goals as the Dogs stormed back to beat the Blues in the final term.

Matt Kennedy of the Bulldogs.Credit: AFL Photos

“It was a very tough game – they bought the pressure from the start,” Kennedy told Fox Footy.

“I’m just proud of the group, we had to fight and dig deep to get the win.

“I thought we kept our composure really well and slowly brought it back.”

Kennedy said it was strange to play against his old mates.

“It’s a bit strange playing against the old club – it’s a bit like playing each other at training but a different feeling to do it in a game for four points,” Kennedy said.

“I know what they are going through at the moment – they are a good bunch of blokes and I do want to see them going well, just not as good as us.

“I’ll be cheering them on, but those goals do make it pretty sweet. They are a quality side and will be back in some good form soon.”

Joel Freijah, Rhylee West, Tom Liberatore and Ed Richards of the Bulldogs celebrate a goal.Credit: AFL Photos

The injury-hit Western Bulldogs have come back from three goals down to beat Carlton tonight, dropping the Blues to a horror 0-3 start.

The Dogs kicked eight goals to four in the second half as the Blues were again overrun.

Adam Saad has stopped Laitham Vandermeer in his tracks after he tried to run away from the pack.

He has won back the footy and the Blues are making their last ditch effort.

They need two goals in 90 seconds to win. That looks a bridge too far.

O’Donnell has taken a strong mark in the goal square and booted a vital goal for the Dogs.

Dale did so well to send in his rushed kick to O’Donnell’s advantage.

Dogs 83, Blues 75 with three mins to to play.