Nick Haynes’ message to his underperforming Carlton teammates is simple: shape up or ship out.
Haynes backed under-siege coach Michael Voss after the Blues’ 50-point hammering at the hands of Port Adelaide on Thursday night, insisting the blueprint remains solid.
Nick Haynes of the Blues marks the ball during the round 16 match against Port Adelaide Power.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
The veteran defender believes it’s up to the players – himself included – to execute Voss’ gameplan better and for longer. And if they can’t, then a stint in the VFL might help ram the message home.
“We’ve played some good quarters this year, which shows the system works,” Haynes said. “When we do, it looks exciting.
“But we haven’t been able to play that system for long enough; for four full quarters. We definitely take onus for that and it will be our goal next week.
“And if blokes don’t do it, we’ve got plenty of young guys coming through the twos who will play the system we want.”
The Adelaide Oval horror show came just five days after a shock five-point loss to North Melbourne, putting Voss’ position under increased scrutiny.
Carlton has spent big to build a seasoned squad for the ‘now’, but the results continue to disappoint.
Retired great Lance Franklin said during the week he doesn’t expect Voss to see out the season, suggesting change “needs to happen, and it needs to happen ASAP”.
Haynes wasn’t having it: “You can’t target the coach on our fundamentals and consistency,” said the 33-year-old, who joined Carlton via free agency this summer after 211 games as an inaugural GWS Giant.
“It’s on us players to execute that… Our goal now is to play the system we’re after for four quarters.”
Michael Voss’ position as senior coach of the Blues is under increased scrutiny.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
Voss didn’t absolve himself or the players of blame after Carlton all but rolled over from the opening bounce against Port, conceding the first nine goals.
“It’s a collective accountability – there’s no separating groups here,” he said. “We always look at ourselves (coaches) first, then impart some of the things we need to in front of the players and ask them to play to the standard as well.
“We’ll look at it thoroughly and see what we need to correct.”
With the wolves circling, Voss insists he’s still the right man for the job.
“That was very unlike us, the way we turned up,” said Voss, whose coaching record now sits at 88-105-2.
“When you look at our body of work, there’s been a genuine shift in our numbers – and in a really good way… That doesn’t leave me in any doubt whatsoever about what we’re trying to create here.”
