Michael Voss remains adamant that his side is on the verge of a breakthrough, even as the Carlton Blues continue to struggle with a recurring inability to sustain momentum. Despite a spirited start to the fourth iteration of Gather Round at Adelaide Oval, the Blues fell to a high-powered Adelaide Crows outfit on Thursday night, leaving them with a concerning 1-4 record to start the season.
The match served as a stark reminder of the disconnect between Carlton’s peak potential and their current reality. For a brief window in the first quarter, the Blues looked like a different team, slamming home seven goals—their most prolific opening term since mid-2024. However, that brilliance gave way to a familiar, gradual fade, as the Crows’ pressure and structured method systematically dismantled the Carlton game plan.
For Voss, the result is a frustration of “fundamentals.” While the scoreboard suggests a team in crisis, the coach is focusing on the incremental gains, insisting that the Carlton Blues coach Michael Voss remains upbeat because the indicators of improvement are present in the effort and the spirit of the group.
The Anatomy of a Fade
The story of the game was told in the statistics of stoppage work. In the first quarter, the Blues were dominant, kicking 5.4 of their 7.4 goals from stoppage. It was a display of the clinical efficiency that Voss believes is becoming more consistent. However, that production vanished almost entirely for the rest of the match; for the remaining three quarters, Carlton managed just two points from stoppage.
This collapse in output coincided with a decisive 10-minute stretch in the second term where Adelaide seized control. “We just couldn’t secure our hands on the ball,” Voss said. “We lost territory from stoppage, and when they went inside 50, they made us pay. That’s where the game was lost.”
The Crows’ efficiency was spearheaded by Josh Rachele, who acted as the primary architect of the damage. Rachele booted three first-quarter goals on his way to four for the night, finishing with 26 disposals. His ability to combine high energy with ruthless efficiency exposed a Carlton defense that was missing key pillars Jacob Weitering and Harry Dean.
The conditions only added to the chaos. In the third quarter, heavy rain lashed the ground, forcing fans to scramble for cover and turning the turf into a treacherous surface. While the rain leveled the playing field in terms of visibility, Adelaide’s system remained firm, while Carlton’s undermanned backline continued to struggle with repeat entries.
Optimism Against the Odds
Despite the 1-4 record, Voss refuses to accept that the win-loss ratio is a true reflection of his team’s trajectory. When asked if the results matched the reality of the season, he was quick to dismiss the notion. “I don’t think so,” Voss said. “What you wish to see is whether you’re progressively getting closer to how you want to play – and we are.”
He pointed to the effort and spirit as a primary indicator, noting that the team recorded 87 tackles during the contest. For Voss, the gap between where they are and where they need to be is narrowing. “The difference right now is small,” he said. “You walk up here each week hoping it clicks.”
There were flashes of individual brilliance that supported this optimism. Sam Walsh was electric in the opening term, collecting 15 disposals before Adelaide shifted their defensive focus toward him. Mitch McGovern’s shift into the forward line showed promise, suggesting a tactical flexibility that could be vital as the season progresses.
However, the most pointed commentary from the coach concerned Harry McKay. Voss suggested the key forward was unlucky in aerial contests and deserved more support from the umpires. “I thought Harry competed really hard,” Voss said. “He could have been a bit luckier in some of those contests… I think he could have been supported a bit more.”
Looking Ahead: A Grueling Stretch
The immediate focus for the Blues is the return of their defensive core. Voss expressed confidence that he will have Jacob Weitering and Harry Dean back for next Thursday night’s clash against arch-rivals Collingwood. Weitering is scheduled to return to training this Friday, a crucial step in stabilizing a backline that has been repeatedly exposed.
If the Blues cannot find a way to sustain their performance across four quarters, the upcoming schedule may amplify their struggles. Following the Collingwood game, Carlton faces a challenging road trip to Perth to take on Fremantle, followed by a sequence of matches against St Kilda, the Brisbane Lions, and the Western Bulldogs.
The next confirmed checkpoint for the club will be the team announcement for the Collingwood game, where the fitness of Weitering and Dean will be officially confirmed. Whether the return of these key pillars is enough to stop the fade remains the central question for the Blues’ season.
Do you believe Michael Voss is right to remain upbeat, or is the 1-4 start too significant to ignore? Share your thoughts in the comments.
