Carlton news: Review starts with interviews of key figures on Monday

Carlton has opened its doors to three senior footy figures to probe every aspect of the club, with coach David Teague top of the list for interviews next week.

Carlton coach David Teague.

David Teague will not be coaching for his life against Adelaide on Sunday, with Carlton’s three external reviewers set to launch their forensic examination of the club’s football department on Monday.

The Blues have granted Matthew Pavlich, Geoff Walsh and Graham Lowe unfettered access to their club, and a series of high-level meetings are already in the diary for Monday morning.

Blues boss Cain Liddle said it would be premature to make a call on Teague, or anyone else in the football department, before the review was complete.

“I don’t think in any situation you’d want to jump ahead of the process,” Liddle said.

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“The whole football department is part of this review and we look forward to the process. However, we are not going to provide ongoing commentary around individuals.

“We have asked three experienced, independent people to conduct this review to ultimately help us win more games of footy to contend for premierships and we remain committed to that.

“Naturally, when things aren’t going well the footy industry points the finger at one person – that is usually the coach.

“The reality however is very different. When we win, it’s not because of one person and when you lose it’s the same – it’s a collective effort and that’s what this review is about.”

Carlton coach David Teague could be interviewed on Monday as part of Carlton’s review.

Captain Patrick Cripps and Coleman Medal leader Harry McKay signed long-term deals recently in a huge show of faith to the club’s direction.

The Blues are humming off the field and so bankrolling the review or targeting the best football people will not be a problem

Carlton was the AFL’s most profitable club in 2020, while its revenue ($50.2m) ranked second to premier Richmond.

“As is the case with anything in the soft cap it’s about prioritising, and right now improving our football performance is our No.1 priority,” Liddle said.

“We’re investing a lot of time and a lot of money into getting three really experienced people in.

“History will tell you the clubs that have had the courage to do these reviews and really lay themselves bare have certainly benefited from it.”

Liddle was at Richmond in 2016 when a famous internal review saved coach Damien Hardwick.

Walsh will be on-site at Ikon Park on Monday, where he is likely to sit down with key figures including Teague, football boss Brad Lloyd and fitness boss Andrew Russell.

Pavlich and Lowe are expected to dial in remotely.

Carlton turned to Lowe in 2018 to conduct an external high performance review, which led to Russell’s appointment.

The Blues have just four wins on the board in 2021.

Liddle said players and staff were “excited” for the review to begin because, like the members, they were sick and tired of underperforming. No timeline has been set for its completion.

“It’ll take as long as it takes to find the answers we’re after,” Liddle said.

“Ultimately, you don’t get these opportunities very often for three experienced people to come into your club.

“We’ve got a responsibility most importantly to our members, but equally to our players and our staff, to leave absolutely no stone unturned to be the best football program possible.

“Equally, I’m really confident that we’ll get some great feedback on some of the areas that are going quite well.

“The panel will be given access to anything they need to help us find the answers we’re after.”

Premiership coach John Worsfold will remain as Teague’s mentor. Liddle said “his support for Teague is more important than ever right now”.

Originally published as Carlton news: Review starts with interviews of key figures on Monday