Carlton boss won't hassle big Blue over big call
Carlton's in-demand ruckman Tom de Koning won't be pressured to deciding his future by Blues coach Michael Voss.
De Koning is weighing an offer from St Kilda understood to be millions of dollars above the Blues' deal.
The 25-year-old's decision has massive ramifications for the list planning at both clubs but Voss said he won't be rushing his ruck.
"He will make that decision whenever that is, in due course," Voss told reporters on Friday.
"Look at what he's providing us, the investment he has in our team and how much he loves his teammates.
"He has grown up at this football club. This is his team and he sees himself as that.
"When we have these conversations, that's what we talk about - the team, how he's going to get better and what that looks like in the future."
De Koning is in midst of an eye-catching seventh season with the Blues, averaging career-best disposals, hit outs and clearances.
And his duel with North Melbourne's Tristan Xerri, rated among the best big men in the business, will be pivotal to Saturday's MCG clash.
The Roos enter the fixture with bad memories of their last-start against Carlton: an 82-point capitulation on Good Friday.
But coach Alastair Clarkson now rates the defeat to the Blues as a turning point - since the April 18 loss, the Kangaroos have produced arguably their strongest stretch under him.
There's been two wins, a draw against reigning premiers Brisbane, and the Roos have been in every game.
"That was the moment in the season where we recognised we just couldn't stop leaking goals," Clarkson told reporters on Friday.
"It was a big stage for us, a big game for our club and the competition really, Good Friday is a marquee game.
"We had to make some changes."
Clarkson set about bolstering an all-ground defensive approach and the 20-year coach witnessed instant improvement.
"We have shown that we're on the right track," he said.
"Just making sure we have got really strong synergy with the way we defend the oval.
"If we defend that oval well enough, it will give us opportunities for turnovers higher up the ground and allow us to perhaps be able to score better."
The Roos (three wins, one draw, nine losses) enter Saturday afternoon's MCG fixture knowing the importance of the result for Carlton's finals hopes.
The Blues (six wins, seven losses) are within two victories of the top eight but without top talents Sam Walsh (foot) and Harry McKay (knee) for another month.
Dual Coleman medallist Charlie Curnow has been named by Carlton despite carrying a calf complaint.
"We expect he'll play," Voss said before a light match-eve training.
"The indication is as long as he pulls up well today, he's playing - fit and available."
Carlton's in-demand ruckman Tom de Koning won't be pressured to deciding his future by Blues coach Michael Voss.
De Koning is weighing an offer from St Kilda understood to be millions of dollars above the Blues' deal.
The 25-year-old's decision has massive ramifications for the list planning at both clubs but Voss said he won't be rushing his ruck.
"He will make that decision whenever that is, in due course," Voss told reporters on Friday.
"Look at what he's providing us, the investment he has in our team and how much he loves his teammates.
"He has grown up at this football club. This is his team and he sees himself as that.
"When we have these conversations, that's what we talk about - the team, how he's going to get better and what that looks like in the future."
De Koning is in midst of an eye-catching seventh season with the Blues, averaging career-best disposals, hit outs and clearances.
And his duel with North Melbourne's Tristan Xerri, rated among the best big men in the business, will be pivotal to Saturday's MCG clash.
The Roos enter the fixture with bad memories of their last-start against Carlton: an 82-point capitulation on Good Friday.
But coach Alastair Clarkson now rates the defeat to the Blues as a turning point - since the April 18 loss, the Kangaroos have produced arguably their strongest stretch under him.
There's been two wins, a draw against reigning premiers Brisbane, and the Roos have been in every game.
"That was the moment in the season where we recognised we just couldn't stop leaking goals," Clarkson told reporters on Friday.
"It was a big stage for us, a big game for our club and the competition really, Good Friday is a marquee game.
"We had to make some changes."
Clarkson set about bolstering an all-ground defensive approach and the 20-year coach witnessed instant improvement.
"We have shown that we're on the right track," he said.
"Just making sure we have got really strong synergy with the way we defend the oval.
"If we defend that oval well enough, it will give us opportunities for turnovers higher up the ground and allow us to perhaps be able to score better."
The Roos (three wins, one draw, nine losses) enter Saturday afternoon's MCG fixture knowing the importance of the result for Carlton's finals hopes.
The Blues (six wins, seven losses) are within two victories of the top eight but without top talents Sam Walsh (foot) and Harry McKay (knee) for another month.
Dual Coleman medallist Charlie Curnow has been named by Carlton despite carrying a calf complaint.
"We expect he'll play," Voss said before a light match-eve training.
"The indication is as long as he pulls up well today, he's playing - fit and available."
Carlton's in-demand ruckman Tom de Koning won't be pressured to deciding his future by Blues coach Michael Voss.
De Koning is weighing an offer from St Kilda understood to be millions of dollars above the Blues' deal.
The 25-year-old's decision has massive ramifications for the list planning at both clubs but Voss said he won't be rushing his ruck.
"He will make that decision whenever that is, in due course," Voss told reporters on Friday.
"Look at what he's providing us, the investment he has in our team and how much he loves his teammates.
"He has grown up at this football club. This is his team and he sees himself as that.
"When we have these conversations, that's what we talk about - the team, how he's going to get better and what that looks like in the future."
De Koning is in midst of an eye-catching seventh season with the Blues, averaging career-best disposals, hit outs and clearances.
And his duel with North Melbourne's Tristan Xerri, rated among the best big men in the business, will be pivotal to Saturday's MCG clash.
The Roos enter the fixture with bad memories of their last-start against Carlton: an 82-point capitulation on Good Friday.
But coach Alastair Clarkson now rates the defeat to the Blues as a turning point - since the April 18 loss, the Kangaroos have produced arguably their strongest stretch under him.
There's been two wins, a draw against reigning premiers Brisbane, and the Roos have been in every game.
"That was the moment in the season where we recognised we just couldn't stop leaking goals," Clarkson told reporters on Friday.
"It was a big stage for us, a big game for our club and the competition really, Good Friday is a marquee game.
"We had to make some changes."
Clarkson set about bolstering an all-ground defensive approach and the 20-year coach witnessed instant improvement.
"We have shown that we're on the right track," he said.
"Just making sure we have got really strong synergy with the way we defend the oval.
"If we defend that oval well enough, it will give us opportunities for turnovers higher up the ground and allow us to perhaps be able to score better."
The Roos (three wins, one draw, nine losses) enter Saturday afternoon's MCG fixture knowing the importance of the result for Carlton's finals hopes.
The Blues (six wins, seven losses) are within two victories of the top eight but without top talents Sam Walsh (foot) and Harry McKay (knee) for another month.
Dual Coleman medallist Charlie Curnow has been named by Carlton despite carrying a calf complaint.
"We expect he'll play," Voss said before a light match-eve training.
"The indication is as long as he pulls up well today, he's playing - fit and available."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
an hour ago
- Perth Now
Blue season takes another bad turn as Roos rise at MCG
The Michael Voss era is in major trouble after Carlton conceded eight straight goals against North Melbourne to be stunned by 11 points in an MCG boilover. Just 64 days after smashing North by 82 points on Good Friday, the Blues went goal-less from midway through the first quarter until 10 minutes into the third term. During that period, the Kangaroos produced some of their best football in Alastair Clarkson's three-year tenure to set up the 13.6 (84) to 10.13 (73) victory in front of 56,236 fans. Voss gave a stern three-quarter-time address to his under-performing midfield group when they trailed by 46 points. The spray from the coach worked as the Blues kicked 5.5 to 0.0 in the final quarter, but it was too late for Carlton. Despite having only beaten lowly Richmond, West Coast and Melbourne this season, North have been threatening to claim a bigger scalp for weeks. Trailing by nine points at quarter-time, the Kangaroos surged in the second term with 6.2 to 0.1, prompting sections of the pro-Carlton crowd to boo their team off at halftime. The wheels completely came off when Carlton gave away a free kick straight after Cam Zurhaar's third goal, allowing ruckman Tristan Xerri to put the Kangaroos 40 points up early in the third quarter. The Blues showed more spirit for the rest of the game, but the damage had already been done. Finalists in the past two seasons, Carlton slumped to 6-8 and will sit two games outside of the top eight by the end of the round. The Blues comfortably won the inside-50 count, but their ball use let them down all day. The unexpected result will turn up the heat on coach Voss, who has been under pressure since Carlton's calamitous round-one loss against wooden spooners Richmond. North had matchwinners across the ground, led by Tom Powell, Luke Parker and Luke Davies-Uniacke out of the middle. Dashing left-footer Colby McKercher produced arguably the best game of his young career with two goals and 29 possessions. The only positive for Carlton was that star defender Jacob Weitering avoided being added to a lengthy injury list. Weitering appeared to have suffered a serious ankle injury when he landed awkwardly after jumping over Zurhaar in the first quarter. The reigning All-Australian fullback was assisted from the field in agony, but returned 15 minutes later for the start of the second term. Carlton are already without star forward Harry McKay and important midfielder Sam Walsh for at least another month. Fellow key forward Charlie Curnow was in doubt for the game with calf tightness, but managed to ride his push bike to the MCG to prove his fitness. However, the dual Coleman Medallist had a dirty day, failing to kick a goal. Lockdown defender Nic Newman and highly rated teenager Jagga Smith have already been ruled out for the season. Carlton's season will be virtually dead and buried if they can't beat Port Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday night. North head to Launceston next Saturday to clash with Hawthorn.
Herald Sun
2 hours ago
- Herald Sun
All the news from the Carlton vs. North Melbourne clash in Round 15
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News. Carlton players have left the field to a chorus of boos at half time after a six-goal North Melbourne quarter at the MCG left their season hanging by a thread. The Kangaroos booted 6.2 to 0.1 in a second quarter onslaught that left Carlton's season in a precarious position. Carlton is already fighting for a finals position, two wins out of the top eight, but an upset loss to North Melbourne could spell the end of the hopes for 2025. Carlton was wasteful in the first quarter, kicking 2.6 to 1.3, but the floodgates opened in the second term as North Melbourne ran rampant. To make matters worse for the Blues, they are one of the league's worst-performing second half teams, making the prospects of a comeback slim. Earlier, Carlton dodged a bullet after star defender Jacob Weitering was taken from the field after injuring his left ankle early in the first term against North Melbourne. The Blues vice-captain was forced to leap over Cam Zurhaar deep in attack as they chased the loose ball in Carlton's attack. But he twisted his ankle on landing and immediately raised his hands to the trainers signalling he was in trouble. The game was stopped as the Blues medical staff assisted Weitering from the ground, with the backman unable to put any pressure on his ankle. It came just after North Melbourne forward Jack Darling had to leave the ground after getting a big gash in his leg after going down in a contest on the Shane Warne Stand side. Darling returned in the second term after getting treatment in the rooms. Weitering had some medical attention but gave Blues fans some hope when he did some run throughs at the quarter-time break and he returned to the field to start the second quarter. Nick Dal Santo on FoxFooty said he had rolled his left ankle and spent most of the rest of the term down the race, re-emerging with a minute to go in the first term. 'They may have got away with this,' Dal Santo said. CURNOW'S FUNKY ARRIVAL AT THE G — Matthew Forrest There can't be too many concerns over Charlie Curnow's calf after his stylish arrival to the MCG. The star Blue was subbed out of last week's win at half time, with many worried he would not be fit to play against North Melbourne. He was named to play on Thursday and looked the goods as he rode up to the ground shortly after 11.30am on Saturday. Curnow arrived on his bike, sporting sunglasses and a helmet, in his Carlton pregame fit before passing security and riding into the belly of the MCG.
News.com.au
3 hours ago
- News.com.au
Jacob Weitering goes down with ankle injury
Carlton's injury woes have continued, with Jacob Weitering going down with an ankle injury in the first quarter against North Melbourne.
