Carlton big man Marc Pittonet says any pressure on coach Michael Voss should be redirected toward the players if they fail to deliver on a proven strategy.
The Blues take on Melbourne this Sunday, almost three weeks since they narrowly defeated Richmond in Round 1.
Pittonet, one of Carlton’s best in its first two starts, says he has “complete faith and complete trust” in Voss and his method.
“I personally don’t read media, so I avoid all of that,” Pittonet said of Voss, who is out of contract at season’s end.
“I grew up going to Brisbane games, I went to the ’02 grand final so to me Vossy is a superstar.
“I don’t consider any of that, I look at him with a bit of light behind him when he talks.
“We’ve got complete faith and complete trust in him. The game plan he has put in place works; it’s just up to us to execute from here.”
The Blues escaped a repeat of last season’s horror Round 1 loss to Richmond, despite only kicking one goal after the main break.
Pittonet says Carlton can at times be its own enemy for trying too hard in pivotal moments.
“We definitely can do it better, we’ve got to take our moments,” he said.
“There could have been moments we could’ve taken better that might’ve shifted the flow of the game.
“We didn’t take those and they’re just great opportunities for us… it’s mainly down to those very clear parts of those games that we recognise.
“Being able to spend time and go, ‘OK, when the pressure comes, as much as we all want to try and take those moments and step in, there’s time stepping into it can actually be the worst thing’.
“It’s actually going, ‘What’s my role? What’s the scenario of the game and how does my role actually help us what we need to do?’
“It’s a bit counterintuitive when you think about it.”
Originally published as AFL 2026: Carlton big man defends coach Michael Voss’ game plan and style