Jack Silvagni in doubt to face Collingwood Magpies, president Rob Priestley won’t back coach Michael Voss for 2026

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“I wouldn’t call it a review. We are focused on the next eight weeks to put ourselves in the best possible position to then, at the end of the season, go through what all good organisations do, in terms of assessing where they are up to, what gaps they might have, and as a collective working through that and making decisions we need to make in a clam and reasonable way,” Priestley said.

Wright was given the top job at Princes Park because, in part, of his strong record as a football department boss at Hawthorn and Collingwood. He attempted to lure Sam Mitchell, then an assistant coach at Hawthorn, to Collingwood, and was the man who eased Nathan Buckley out of the Pies with as much dignity as possible, and replaced him with now premiership coach Craig McRae.

Wright has already been sitting in on meetings at Carlton, but wasn’t due to officially take over until October. However, that date has been brought forward to August.

“He is there to support. We brought Graham in as a football CEO, and that’s what we wanted. We really want to utilise his expertise, his skills, his experience, to work with our footy department at the moment, and support them through the coming weeks,” Priestley said.

“We think that [August 15] is the right date. It allows Brian to just finish off a few projects, commitments he has got, and also gives us a really good opportunity for Graham utilising his expertise to really support our footy department at the moment. It’s a really important time for us.”

Irate Blues fans lashed out after the 50-point loss to Port Adelaide last Thursday, including by targeting Carlton’s Ikon Park. Graffiti with the words “sack the board”, “sack Austin, Lloyd”, “keep Voss” and “TDK (star ruckman Tom De Koning, who is considering a whopping offer from the Saints) yes or no” were sprayed on the brick wall at the venue.

The graffiti was gone on Monday, but a security officer remained outside the ground.

Priestley, chairman of financial services firm JPMorgan Australia and New Zealand, said the season had not gone to plan.

“There is no doubt all Carlton people are disappointed in where we are up to. The season hasn’t panned out so far as we would like, there is doubt about that. We can’t shy away from that,” he said.

“The really important thing is that we are focused on the next eight weeks, and provide all the right support to our footy department, to our playing group, to our coaching group, to really maximise what we can get out of the next eight weeks moving into the off-season.”

Silvagni in doubt to face Pies

The Blues’ on-field woes have worsened with defender Jack Silvagni in doubt for Friday night’s clash with Collingwood at the MCG. Silvagni is nursing a groin issue, and did not join in training with the main group on Monday.

He was restricted to jogging alongside Harry McKay in the rehabilitation group, having been managed late in the Power clash.

Silvagni, an unrestricted free agent, has been nursing the groin issue since he was subbed out of the clash against Sydney in round 10. He missed the following match, before the mid-season bye.

Fellow defender Jacob Weitering, nursing an ankle issue, trained strongly, and appears likely to face the Magpies.

Weitering was hampered against the Power, with key forward Mitch Georgiades taking full advantage before Weitering was switched off him.

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The 2024 All-Australian was hurt against North Melbourne a week earlier but played out the game.

AFL great Nathan Buckley said on Monday the Blues had been “rudderless” at times this season.

“Every now and again it looks rudderless, it looks like there is no clear direction, isn’t that understandable when you look at the questions on the coach’s tenure, the expectations of the season compared to the way the season has panned out, the performance of the talented players, and the inconsistency,” Buckley said on SEN.

“There are so many questions at Carlton, and rightfully so, because their performances haven’t supported the talent they have on their list. But, as we know, at the top level of footy, it’s not as much about the talent you have on the list as much as it is about getting the most out of what you have available, and that’s not necessarily when things are going your way. It’s how you are going to get in the trenches and get your hands dirty and come together when the going gets tough.

“Carlton haven’t done that well enough or often enough.”