STEPS forward, but not going to settle.

AFL Senior Coach Josh Fraser spoke candidly to media following Carlton's elimination final loss to Geelong, bringing an unforgettable 2026 season to a close.

Speaking post-match, here's what Fraser had to say.

On how the game played out:

“They’re a quality side, most of them seasoned campaigners when it comes to finals. We started the game reasonably well but once their stoppage and contest game ramped up and they got the outside of us, it made it really difficult. As frustrating as the result ended up being, tonight gives us some really good feedback on where we need to get to.

“They outplayed us, they were far too good. Inside to outside, they were more predictable than us and really challenged our system. Too often tonight, we didn’t stay connected as what we’ve been. 21 points doesn’t feel like a safe margin in footy these days: looking more at how the game was being played, there were things we were trying to do that we had some success with but not total success. It just felt like they got the next one and the momentum would shift.

“A couple of things happened in the game which challenged us in different ways. It’s just feedback for where we’re at. You’re always going to get challenged by great teams when you play in finals. I didn’t think we met the challenge as well as we could have tonight.”

On the message to the playing group:

“We’ve spoken. It’s mixed emotions, we’re proud of the work we’ve put in to get to this point. That achievement in itself is something worth celebrating for our group. Then there’s the stark reality that there’s more work in front of us, which is the message I’ve given every week.

“We know exactly where we’re at. Tonight was disappointing - we certainly don’t want to be a club that lives in mediocrity. It’s an acknowledgment of the work that’s been put in, the players deserve a lot of credit and so do our staff and coaching group. But we don’t want to be a club that is satisfied with finishing eighth.”

On what comes next:

“I have a handle on the character in the group, and the spirit. We’ve made some improvements, there’s no doubt about that. But there are still parts of our game we need to get to work on, there are some individuals need to grow - in fact, all of our players need to grow. I feel like I’ve got a really good handle on where we’re at and understand that a lot of work in front of us.

“We need to develop and get to work on our list, we need to build depth, we need to improve players, we need to build out our system. That’s not taking away from what the players have been able to achieve over the last 15 weeks, but I’ve sat here most weeks after we’ve got results and saying we’ve got to keep getting better. I think there’s clear alignment internally over what we need to be able to do.”

On what he’s learned:

“That there is work ahead of us, and we’re not going to settle on mediocrity - we need to chase that success, and to do that, we need to get to work. There’s an expectation on the way their break looks and the way they return. There’s a lot of work we’ve got to do, and some of it might be marginal while some of it might be bigger.

“We can’t turn up in pre-season and think that this keeps rolling on. We’ve got to keep looking at our game and find ways to get that better. I don’t want to be sitting here finishing the season in eighth position. There’ll be challenges we need our group to embrace and continue to embrace… and there’s no evidence they won’t, because they’ve done an outstanding job for 15 weeks.”

On the fans’ impact:

“We’ve set ourselves on a path to getting where we want to go, clearly we’re not where we need to be. There’s a lot of individual growth which has been pleasing. One of the things I carry with me is our supporters and how connected they are to how we’ve been able to play. That’s been something that’s quite special.

“Our supporters have been incredible. There’s been growth on-field, there’s been growth off-field. Hopefully our fans have reconnected to our Club and a brand of football that should excite them and take us forward.”

On exit meetings this week, and an eye to the off-season:

“We’ll go through our exits throughout the week and set the wheels in motion for some planning to make sure when they return, we’re well-organised and have a clear plan on what it looks like for the playing group. We need to be really methodical and deliberate with what it looks like over the next period of time.

“I’d imagine I’ll be part of that process in terms of where our list sits and where we need to grow it. I’ve dipped my toe into some of those discussions, I haven’t fully immersed myself in them because we’ve had games to focus on. That’ll be the next step for me.

“I’ve referenced Chris Davies and Graham Wright recently, with their support and experience in that space. I’m as eager as anyone to make sure this Club moves forward and we build this out so we’ve got something sustainable.

“Without giving a bland answer, I think it’s quite broad. We can build our midfield depth, we can build out our key position stocks, there are players on our list we want to continue to develop as well. I’m not sure if it’s one specific thing we’re chasing as opposed to considering what we’ve got, what growth and upside we have in those players and looking to add where we can. There’ll be a holistic approach to who makes us better.”

On the wildcard experience:

“I’m grateful to have that week to be able to play finals. In that sense, I enjoyed it. I haven’t thought too much about it, it was important for us that we had something to chase and gave ourselves a chance to play in a final - the experience that gave to our young players will be invaluable.

“Ideally you’re not playing wildcard and you’re straight into a finals series, but it’s great experience for our group.”

On when he’ll stop to reflect:

“The competition moves quickly, maybe in the next little period of time I might be able to stop and reflect. I keep looking at where we are, where we’ve been, where we’ve got to - we just want to keep getting to work on building this. It’s been a collective. If we want to talk about the growth we’ve made, I’m a product of great assistant coaches around, we’ve got incredible staff.

“The character inside our football club is really strong. I think the players deserve a lot of recognition as well. They’ve been the ones that have been at the forefront of leading that charge. I’m really proud of what we’ve done, I haven’t stopped and thought too deeply around it other than the significance of making a wildcard and then an elimination final.

“It just makes me hungry to want to get better.”

On one final message:

“That was part of the message was to the group, that you’re not given anything in this game. The competition will improve, so what we were able to do in the back end of the year is not going to be good enough going into next season.

“We’ll make sure we’re very deliberate with how we set up parts of our summer to ensure we’re better placed. There has to be an acknowledgement that we need to get to work, that’ll look and feel a bit different to the players to maybe what it’s been.”