Carlton coach David Teague’s future has been questioned and his side put under heat by footy pundits, fans and ex-players after their disappointing 39-point loss to the last-placed Kangaroos on Saturday afternoon.
The upset defeat comes during an external review of the Blues’ football department, with each loss placing more pressure on Teague.
It was the third quarter that was particularly dire for Carlton – conceding seven goals while converting just two of their own.
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It delivers a mighty blow to the 13th-placed Blues’ faint finals hopes to likely see them sit two games and healthy percentage outside the top eight by the end of the round.
“Carlton were disappointing, they only laid nine tackles in that third quarter,” Lions great Jonathan Brown said post-match on Fox Footy.
“The other problem with Carlton, they were demolished at centre bounce – 21 to 9 – that’s a horrific number. That’s where a lot of damage was done.”
Looking ahead to the Blues’ run home – where they face St Kilda, Gold Coast, Port Adelaide and GWS – Brown said they’re all “winnable games” to make finals still a “very outside” chance.
But Channel 7 journalist Mark Stevens voiced his concerns for Teague’s future.
“North fantastic, building beautifully. This, though, is an old-fashioned coach killer. Fear for Teague. This is a stinker,” Stevens posted on Twitter.
Nine journalist Daniel Cherny believes it was a ‘back breaking’ game for Teague, tweeting: “There is a game in almost every coaching tenure where the back is broken. This feels like that game for David Teague”.
Fellow Nine journalist Sam McClure suggested the performance reflects poorly on the club given there was a finals spot at stake plus it being Ed Curnow’s 200th game.
“Season on the line, 200th game for a club favourite and you’re dismantled by the 18th ranked team in the competition. Says a bit about where Carlton are at,” McCLure posted on Twitter.
Leading by two points at half-time, it was a complete implosion from the Blues in the second half, as pointed out by Collingwood champion Dane Swan as only he can.
“Did Carlton come out after half time and decide to only play 3 defenders? Geez it’s gotta be tough to be a Carlton supporter,” Swan posted on Twitter.
