Carlton coach Michael Voss has revealed he is confused by 'obsessive' talk of finals ahead of Round 9, saying it is too early in the season to make those kinds of statements.
After missing out on finals only by percentage last year, Carlton fans entered the 2023 season with an obsessive determination to make it this year, which has not happened since 2013. The club currently sits eighth on the ladder, having an early winning streak in the first four rounds which was broken by Adelaide Crows in Round 5.
Carlton midfielder Adam Cerra upset fans earlier this week, when he stated the the season will not be a failure if the club does not finals this year. Voss was quick to jump to his defence, saying that there is an "obsession" for the early rounds to determine how a team will place at the end of the season.
"It seems to be an obsession to define a season by round eight," Voss said on Friday.
"I'm somewhat confused by the whole conversation because the agenda of what we wanted to go about our business was set by the final siren at the end of last year."
Voss pointed out that the club is working to something sustainable and that can see them into the future, being proper contenders in the finals instead of scrapping along and being shafted off in the first round.
"We don't just want to participate in finals. We want to have a say. We want to have an impact. "It's pretty clear what we're trying to achieve. It's just that by thinking into the future, it doesn't help us now," he said.
"It won't help us tomorrow night. We've got a job to do against a really good opposition, and we need to get to work."
The club understands fans frustration but urges them to recognise the long term plan, instead of having tunnel vision with the outcome of the present games and instead cheer and support their team.
"What I would say is we value our supporters greatly, when we come to the footy and they feel like they're really connected in what we do and how we play. It's exceptionally important to us," Voss said.
"They have such a significant say on the performance of our team. We look forward to all of those moments where we get to play in front of a large crowd. It's a sellout again and they're turning up in numbers: I'll keep encouraging them to bring that noise for us, and the positive energy we want.
"When the game gets tough, we need them. They come with passion and gee, I'd love to see that tomorrow night."
