Carlton coach comments on future beyond 2026

Carlton coach Michael Voss said the club will be put first when deciding his future as 2026 poses as a do-or-die campaign.

Voss held onto his position at Ikon Park despite a host of changes to the football department following Graham Wright's appointment as CEO.

Chris Davies replaced Brad Lloyd as football head, while Josh Fraser, Leigh Adams and Damien Truslove all joined the Blues.

But for Voss, his focus is on getting the start to the season right, not his coaching future.

"It's been the furthest thing from our minds," Voss said.

"What we've largely been focused on is making sure we get our pre-season right. All our energy has been focused on that.

"It's been a big project. It's been a big change within the club, so completely secondary to those conversations is what we need to do as a football team. Whenever that time comes, it'll come.

"From my point of view, it's about getting our season started really well and making sure that we can transfer some of these things we've been working on in the pre-season.

"Obviously, you want to coach until you're 75. I don't know if I'll last that long, but I love the Carlton football club. I'm privileged to have this job, but one thing it'll be is that it won't be about the name. It'll be about the club first.

"That is the approach we will be taking right throughout this year."

Ironically, the Blues kickstart their year against Sydney in Opening Round and will take on former Carlton forward Charlie Curnow.

"When you're at Carlton, you don't get to hide under the blanket, and we wouldn't want it any other way," Voss said.

"There's a real privilege when you can have that presence, and we get to open up the season against Sydney away from home, so what greater challenge?"