Collingwood coach Craig McRae will reach out to support Carlton counterpart Michael Voss after inadvertently pouring more heat on his embattled friend.
Voss is again in the firing line after the Blues suffered another humiliating defeat, this time a 56-point thrashing from McRae’s Magpies at the MCG on Friday night.
The 17.13 (115) to 8.11 (59) result sent Collingwood further clear on top of the ladder as their premiership assault gathers steam.
And it left Carlton (6-10) stuck under the blowtorch ahead of another difficult assignment against reigning premiers Brisbane.
“For all our excitement there’s a level of, ‘I hope my mate’s OK’,” McRae said of former Lions premiership teammate Voss.
“As much as we want to beat our arch-rival, that’s done now and I just go into love and care and support for a guy that I’ve got enormous love and support for.
“So I hope he’s going OK. It’s a tough industry, we know.
“We sit in this chair – it’s a hot seat – and when things don’t work out we know what the job sometimes puts across your desk.”
McRae and Voss don’t talk during the build-up to matches between their two sides, but the former Lions goal-sneak will reach out to his ex-captain in the coming days.
“I’m not sure whether I can do anything, other than just be there for him so he can maybe have someone to chat to through this period,” McRae said.
Carlton president Rob Priestley this week declared Voss safe at least until the end of the season, without guaranteeing the coach will see out the final year of his contract.
But another meek performance from the Blues will spark further debate about the 49-year-old’s tenure ahead of incoming CEO Graham Wright’s official start next month.
“The only thing that I’m really worried about right now is ensuring that we continue to support our people, and that’s what we’re going to continue to do,” Voss said.
“This goes well beyond our support teams and our players – this goes to families, as well, and how we’re supporting them.
“So all those sorts of things about pressure and messaging, they are the least of my concerns right now.”
After three straight losses, Carlton are all but out of finals contention with seven rounds left to play.
Voss said the top eight is “the furthest thing from my mind” but insisted there is still plenty to be gained from the rest of the season.
“The fight’s on and the season’s live, so this is the most important part.
“Seeing out the season strongly is exactly what we are going to do.
“There will obviously be some opportunities, as we presented tonight, with some younger players, but there’s also trying to get the cohesion with the group to be able to play some time together.
“So we might have some breakdowns – we might – but we’re pretty determined to give that exposure where needed.
“But there’s also a level of expectation around our performance that we need as well.”
https://thewest.com.au/sport/afl/mcrae-feels-for-mate-voss-as-blues-face-blowtorch-c-19253019
