Carlton has urged caretaker coach Josh Fraser to put his hand up for the club vacancy after an impressive 10-week stretch.
Fraser replaced Michael Voss in May, and went on a seven-win streak before consecutive losses to Hawthorn and Collingwood. They were on the right side of the ledger against Gold Coast last week, and face Brisbane on Saturday at Marvel Stadium.
“From the start Josh has done a great job with the group since he's come in,” Blues football boss Chris Davies said on SEN.
“In the last period of time we've moved into the second phase of our process, and we've now asked Josh to be part of that.
“I think it's fair and reasonable to say that after 10 weeks that he should have a better understanding of where he's at.
“I've had a conversation with him throughout this week to say that we think he should put his hand up.”
Davies said the club will give him time before he formally makes his decision to apply for the role or not.
“That will be interesting to see in itself. It will be his decision as to whether he wants to be a part of it. Of course there are ramifications of that either way.”
Fraser, throughout his time as interim, has maintained a firm stance of not considering the position, instead focusing on rallying the troops after a tumultuous season.
The former Pie and Sun has flagged he may not be ready to become an AFL coach.
“I've had the fortunate aspect over my time in footy; I worked for a long time with Kenny Hinkley. I was able to see Matthew Nicks as an assistant coach; I worked with Michael Voss as an assistant coach and then as a senior coach. I was part of the group that put Josh Carr into the senior coaching role at Port Adelaide,” Davies said.
“From my experience, I think Josh Fraser is going to be an outstanding senior coach one day. Whether that's with Carlton or another club into the future remains to be seen.
“I think he's got the capability. It's up to him now whether he puts his hand up or not.”
If Fraser joins the process, he will contend with Corey Enright, Jaymie Graham and James Kelly.
Davies said the Blues will look to decide on a coach before the conclusion of the home and away season.
“I think we're on track to have it done by the end of the minor rounds. We'll keep working through the process diligently behind the scenes as we have been, but given we're into the next phase of the process and there are four games to go in the minor rounds, I'd be surprised if we're not in a position to be dealing with it before the end of that period.”
Carlton is also looking for a head of list management after parting ways with Nick Austin.
