Carlton interim coach Josh Fraser is set to come to a decision next week as to whether he puts his hand up for the full-time role on a permanent basis. The Blues have gone 9-2 under his caretaker stewardship, rising from a difficult 1-8 start to sit 10th on the ladder with a wildcard final on the horizon.
Josh Fraser Weighs Carlton Future After Stunner Against Lions
The momentum behind Fraser’s candidacy reached a new peak after Carlton ended Brisbane’s seven-match winning streak with a stunning 76-point rout at Marvel Stadium. Despite the emphatic victory, Fraser insisted that the result itself would not dictate his career choice, pointing instead to the internal development process.
“I’d love to think that the win-loss column doesn’t determine anything anyway. I’d like to think it’s more about process and what we’re doing. Wins are great but we’ve got work in front of us.”
Carlton football boss Chris Davies previously invited the caretaker boss to be part of the official selection process. Fraser’s deliberations were granted additional time following his father’s recent passing, while other candidates such as Fremantle’s Jaymie Graham, St Kilda’s Corey Enright, Geelong’s James Kelly, and Hawthorn’s Daniel Giansiracusa remained under consideration.
Mark McVeigh Emerges as Frontrunner for Essendon Post
Across town, the coaching carousel continues to spin with Sydney Swans assistant coach Mark McVeigh stepping forward as the hot favourite to replace Brad Scott at Essendon. Veteran journalist Caroline Wilson reported that senior figures and league headquarters expect the former GWS interim boss to land the job.
The timing has created an immediate operational dilemma for the Swans, who face Essendon this weekend. While the Bombers delayed their official announcement until next week to avoid a mid-week distraction before the fixture, any appointment is expected to trigger McVeigh’s immediate departure from Sydney to begin work at Essendon.
Calsher Dear Meets With Melbourne Amid Hawthorn Contract Watch
In player movement news, Hawthorn young gun Calsher Dear has met with Melbourne as the Demons pursue the 21-year-old forward during the trade period. Geelong has also emerged as an aggressive suitor alongside Carlton, Collingwood, and St Kilda.
Hawks coach Sam Mitchell admitted feeling unsettled after seeing Dear in a Melbourne jumper during the week. Dear’s path to senior selection at Hawthorn has faced competition following Mitch Lewis’s career-best season and contract extension through 2030, alongside 2025 draftee Aidan Schubert’s extension to 2029.
Brisbane Grinds Through Injury Concerns After Heavy Defeat
For Brisbane, coach Chris Fagan brushed off the heavy loss to Carlton, emphasizing that the club’s prior seven-match winning streak means there is no reason for panic as the finals approach.
“We’ve had seven great weeks and tonight wasn’t so good. We’ve just won seven games in a row and lost one game tonight. I’m not panicking at all, this happens in footy sometimes.”
However, the Lions face immediate selection pressure. Keidean Coleman finished with a concussion, Logan Morris battled soreness, Ryan Lester sustained a shoulder issue, and Hugh McCluggage finished sore with a calf complaint. On a brighter note, veterans Dayne Zorko and Darcy Gardiner are positioned to return for the upcoming match against Hawthorn.
