The rival senior coach that Carlton reportedly approached late last year has been revealed.

Plus, a candid Charlie Curnow reflects on his Sydney debut – heaping praise on a particular source of support.

Watch every match of every round of the AFL Premiership Season LIVE and ad-break free during play on FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.

WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.

Last August, the Blues rejected a report by The Age’s Sam McClure that they had “approached multiple people”, including a rival coach, to be Carlton’s new senior coach, prior to committing to Michael Voss.

Without revealing their identity, McClure told Nine’s Footy Classified last year: “One of them is a current rival coach of one of the other 17 clubs (who) was approached about the potential of coaching Carlton in 2026.”

But on Friday morning, the identity of that coach was revealed by SEN’s Tom Morris.

“Last year, Sam McClure reported that someone at Carlton reached out to a senior coach at a rival club before re-signing Michael Voss. He didn’t name that senior coach,” Morris began on SEN Breakfast.

“All summer, I’ve been sitting on it. My understanding is that senior coach was Craig McRae that someone at Carlton reached out to.

“Now, (Carlton CEO) Graham Wright, in his denials, said it was nobody of any importance … but Craig McRae was the person that someone at Carlton reached out to to gauge interest.

“Craig McRae wasn’t interested, and they moved on and (recommitted to) Michael Voss.”

Meanwhile, in December, McRae extended his contract at the Magpies until 2028.

Morris’ report comes the morning after the Blues kicked off their 2026 campaign with a disenchanting 63-point loss to

Sydney, which saw the Swans mercilessly pile on 18 second-half goals.

MORE COVERAGE:

RECAP: Swans’’ flag statement as Blues star admits teammates went too far — 3-2-1

‘NO BLOODY JOKE…’: ‘Snub’ storm erupts between ex-teammates

‘COMPLETELY DIFFERENT’: Voss’ defiant reaction to Carlton’s Swans smash-up

Voss unsure what to make of loss | 07:07

CURNOW TAKES BREATH AFTER ‘WILD’ FORTNIGHT

New Sydney spearhead Charlie Curnow has candidly reflected on a “wild” period of time leading into the Swans’ season-opening trouncing of Carlton.

Curnow, who booted 3.2 in what was his Swans debut and his 150th AFL match – against his former club – heaped praise on his psychologist for her guidance throughout a trying period.

“Been a bit of a wild couple of weeks — or wild six months, really, to get to this point,” Curnow told Fox Footy post-match.

“It’s been a huge couple of weeks. Really lucky, shout out to my psychologist, Tara.

“Did a lot of work with her the last couple of weeks just about raw emotions that are coming (playing against his old side in his Swans debut). I was just going to feel a lot this week.

“It was nice just to recognise this is a big moment. (Tara’s) awesome – she’s working with the Ashes, Cricket Australia now, so shout out to Tara if she’s listening.”

Florent and Mills hug it out post match | 00:33

Probed on what some of that work entailed, Curnow said: “We just worked on a few things that might be coming … the emotional side. Seeing my other close mates running around in a footy team on the other side – that was a big thing.

“And to do it in round zero, and play with all these boys for the first time, it was a fair bit going on. I just had to write down a few things to recognise what’s coming my way.

“It felt weird at the start. Kind of only have one decision – just dive in and enjoy it with your new teammates and yeah, I did find that really difficult because I miss all my other mates. I don’t know – it was hard.”

Carlton led by 22 points early in the third quarter before the Swans exploded, piling on 12 goals in the term.

Of Sydney’s third-quarter avalanche – which saw 75 points scored, 37 points from clearance and a score-per-inside-50 rate of 63 per cent – Fox Footy analyst Leigh Montagna said: “I don’t think I’ve seen a team literally flick a switch like that.

“To play as ordinary as they did at half-time … and then to do what they did in that third quarter, I think it’s a powerful statement to the rest of the competition.”