A GALVANISED club.
Ahead of Carlton's return to action on Saturday night, Interim Coach Josh Fraser said it had been a united front at IKON Park this week after what's been a big seven days.
Leading into tomorrow night's clash with the Western Bulldogs, here's what he had to say.
On the week that has been:
“It’s been a big week, Tuesday was a big day for the Club. It was important to give everyone the day to process how they needed to, but then importantly front up the next day, move forward and get to work.
“We’ve got a game tomorrow night which is really important for us: post-Tuesday, it’s been about our preparation. I couldn’t be prouder of how our people and players have fronted up.”
On what he’s seen in recent days:
“There’s still so much to be gained. We’ve got time on our side, and the messaging early days has been around how we get better collectively and individually - that’s the challenge that’s in front of us.
“I’ve seen a really galvanised playing group and a galvanised club. In terms of that aspect, we’re all in the same direction. Given the timeframe we’ve got, this will continue to evolve and move forward - what that looks like, it’s important we get to tomorrow night and be the best version of ourselves and play a brand of footy that excites our supporters.”
On what changes will be made:
“Given we’ve got time on our side, I think the changes will evolve over time. If you consider the football we’ve played, there’s been some exciting parts to our game. We haven’t been consistent enough over four quarters and we acknowledge that, and there are some scenarios and momentum swings which we need to manage a lot better than what we have.
“We’ll take a really considered approach to how we evolve the way we play and what that looks like from a system perspective as well as personnel.”
On what he sees as the key changes needed in-game:
“I don’t think it’s one thing. Largely it’s about how we manage momentum shifts in-game: there’s a connection piece on-field with that, there’s a belief component to that in terms of persisting with the way we want to play.
“We’ve got to continue to train it, and I think that’s something we can get to work on over the next 14 weeks, in terms of how we manage those moments and what it looks like for certain individuals in those moments. That’s the process we’ve started, and it’s something we’ll continue to work on.”
On Patrick Cripps’ impact in recent days:
“I couldn’t speak highly enough of our leaders, and ‘Crippa’ is at the forefront of that. The support that he’s shown myself and everyone else in the footy department, his desire to take the Club forward and the way he spoke to the group about ‘Vossy’s’ departure - around his love and respect for him, and acknowledging what ‘Vossy’ has done for this club in his time - I think our leaders have been outstanding.
“They’re in a space like all of us where we want to encourage them to continue to grow, not only as leaders but also with their on-field performances. He’s motivated by that challenge.”
On a gradual approach to change:
“We’ll certainly look at it. What this gives us is an opportunity for our experienced players to get better, that’s something we want to challenge and push really hard. That notion of how we get better is not just isolated to our young players, but we will consider what selection looks like from week to week.
“It needs to be a considered approach, because we need to make sure the players coming into the team are well prepared and well set up, and when they get their opportunity, they’re supported by experienced players and leaders on-field. That’s something I’m aligned with the Club, that we keep evolving and keep exploring - but I don’t think it needs to be done in one week.
“What we will see is change to some degree in that period of time, while we also want to continue to drive winning standards and habits. I’m not in a position to say these are the things we’ll categorically see, but hopefully there’s comfort in our supporter base knowing the mindset moving forward will be to explore and be curious about how we get better.”
On rewarding VFL form:
“It’s worth acknowledging the form our VFL team has been in, and a lot of credit goes to Damian Truslove who’s coaching down there and our development coaches. They’re doing a terrific job.
“We’ve got players in form which is pleasing, and that’s something we’ll continue to push around selection integrity and making sure players are in form at both levels. Off the back of that, we can consider what changes we make.”
On Jack Ison’s debut:
“He’s really exciting. He’s our first Indigenous NGA player to come through the Club and earn an opportunity, and it’s important we understand that he really has earned his opportunity… it’s worth celebrating Jack’s debut, Sir Doug Nicholls Round as well, which is pretty significant for him. We’re really excited to see what he can do.
“There’s a sprinkling of youth there, which we’re excited about. That’s something that’s been skipped over a little bit: Jack comes in as a first gamer, it’s Jagga’s first season of football effectively, Harry Dean’s been playing terrific footy and Billy Wilson will play again after coming into the side last week.”
On his coaching philosophy and approach:
“My coaching journey has been through development and coaching my own teams, which I’ve loved. My philosophy is based largely around creating an environment where you’re encouraging people to get better every day. That’s staff, that’s players. ’m a big believer in the habits you develop Monday to Friday then turn up on game day. That’s the environment we want to push.
“My responsibility right now, along with the coaching group, is to drive the program forward. This is not about me, this is not about any individual, this is about a collective approach. Our leaders and our playing group are as tight as you could hope for, and as determined as you’d want to see.
“Given the runway to the end of the season, I think it presents a great opportunity for the Club to move forward, for individuals to grow and for us to be better placed when the season comes to an end.”
On his Carlton Senior Coach ambitions:
“I’m ambitious and I want to be a senior coach at some point, but as we stand here right now, I don’t think I’m quite ready.
“What this opportunity gives me is the chance to jump in the driver’s seat, learn a lot about myself and hopefully be better placed at the end of it. Right now, I’m just focused on how we collectively move this club forward. This is not my job, I’m an Interim Coach. But I’ve got a job to do to make sure this club is better placed at the end of the 14 weeks.
On his message to Carlton fans:
“I don’t know if I need to send one, and the reason I say that is because it’s something in my short term here that has jumped out at me: the passion this supporter base has. It’s unconditional. They turn up to support, they want to see their team play a brand of football they can be proud of.
“What I’d ask is continue to see the things we’re trying to evolve and grow, continue to support the players and the football club - because this is about how we continue to move forward and set ourselves up for the future.”
On whether he’s spoken to Michael Voss in recent days:
“I’ve spoken to ‘Vossy’ and I’ve reached out again, we’ll catch up at some point. I had huge admiration for him when we were playing, and while I only worked with him for a short period of time, I just love him as a person and the way he has led under a lot of adversity. He’s one of the best people I’ve met in football, and I want to maintain contact with him throughout this next little while, to continue to offer my support for him but also lean on him where I feel like I need to.”
