In the aftermath of a shocking loss to Richmond in the opening game of the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season, Carlton Football Club is preparing for an important match against Hawthorn. The Blues, led by coach Michael Voss, are looking to recover from their 41-point capitulation, with star forward Charlie Curnow set to make his long-anticipated return. Curnow's presence is viewed as essential, but Voss emphasizes the importance of teamwork over reliance on any single player.
On March 19, 2025, Curnow participated in a training session but only for a brief moment before retreating back into the players’ race, sparking concerns about his fitness. However, Voss quickly confirmed that the 28-year-old dual-Coleman Medallist is ready to return to the field, following his recovery from surgery on his ankle and knee during the offseason. “He’s well and truly ready,” Voss said, reassuring fans and players alike.
Despite the optimism surrounding Curnow's return, Voss and the coaching staff are acutely aware that the team's poor performance against Richmond cannot be ignored. The loss was particularly stinging as it followed a promising pre-season filled with high expectations. “We can’t ignore our performance against the Tigers, where we let a 41-point lead slip,” Voss stated. He highlighted that the team has been reflecting on the loss, discussing structure and performance in honest exchanges between coaches and players.
Former Melbourne star and Fox Footy analyst Garry Lyon weighed in on Carlton's situation, cautioning against the trap of thinking Curnow will single-handedly cure the team's ailments. “That’s a trap, the saviour mentality… that someone will come in and fix us,” Lyon remarked, urging the club to focus on collective improvement rather than depending on one individual.
Curnow's absence from the latter stages of last season due to an ankle injury played a significant role in the team's decline, with Carlton slipping from second to eighth place in the rankings after his injury during the Round 17 clash with Greater Western Sydney. Following that moment, the Blues managed only two wins in their last eight matches, and their efficient scoring took a significant hit—plummeting from second in points scored to 13th.
Voss noted that Curnow’s return could help stabilize the forward line, which has struggled with inefficiency in recent matches. “Clearly what makes a difference is when we stay connected as an 18-man team,” Voss explained, stressing the importance of every player’s contribution. “We’ll let the really good players try and bring their talent, but our role players need to be able to get their job done.”
As Carlton approached their match against Hawthorn on March 20, Voss captured the mood surrounding the team. Comments from frustrated fans echoed in the background, reflecting the club's long-standing premiership drought stretching over three decades. Voss said, “We want to make them proud,” acknowledging the emotional weight of the recent loss while urging supporters to bring energy for the first home game of the year.
Furthermore, the coach indicated that the players have taken the criticism directed at them personally. “For us, walking out there every single time we play, we want to make them proud, and we let ourselves down in certain areas,” he explained. Voss encouraged the fans to fill the stadium with intensity and to provide the team with the support they need to perform well.
Among the strategic decisions leading into the match, Voss identified a tactical move of deploying record-breaking Brownlow Medallist Patrick Cripps in the ruck as controversial. Cripps spent a notable amount of time in the ruck against Richmond, which drew criticism from observers who believed it clouded his effectiveness as a midfielder. “You would have noticed over the last couple of years he’s played there a fair bit, so it’s not unique,” Voss defended the decision, emphasizing Cripps's capabilities in that role.
As Carlton prepares to face Hawthorn, the stakes are clear. A loss would escalate the pressure on the club, not just for the immediate future but for their standing in the competitive environment of the AFL season, which promises challenging encounters against top teams like the Western Bulldogs and Collingwood in the coming rounds. Voss remained cautious but optimistic, stating, “We’ve got an assignment to be able to get done, and we know the task is ahead of us.”
In the lead-up to this crucial match, Voss and his players are fully aware that teamwork will play a vital role in reclaiming their footing in the league. “Collectively, there’s a response there that is needed,” he noted. With the game just ahead, the focus shifts to how they will perform as a united front and not be swayed by past mistakes.
The challenge posed by Hawthorn, who handed Carlton a heavy defeat last season, hangs over them like a cloud, but Voss knows that success won’t hinge on a single player, echoing Lyon’s warnings. “It’s not going to sit on one particular player,” he emphasized. Success against Hawthorn will require cohesion, resilience, and a commitment to improve, as the Blues undoubtedly strive to turn their disastrous start around.
