![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/poster-fallback.png\"\/)
<\/p>\n
WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.<\/p>\n
FRASER\u2019S LANGUAGE \u2018SHIFT\u2019 IN BLUES COACHING CALL AS \u2018SNOWBALL TURNS INTO MONSTER\u2019<\/p>\n
With each passing Blues win, it\u2019s becoming impossible to ignore caretaker coach Josh Fraser as a legitimate contender for the role in 2027.<\/p>\n
The confusing part, of course, is that Fraser is yet to declare his interest. But as the search ramps up, actions speak louder than words.<\/p>\n
Fraser\u2019s Blues have now won seven in a row in a remarkable resurgence not even the greatest Carlton optimist could\u2019ve seen coming. <\/p>\n
As subtle as it might’ve been, Fraser might\u2019ve given his biggest indication yet he thinks he\u2019s building the credentials to be a senior coach. <\/p>\n
\u201cMy answer has been really consistent,\u201d he began on Fox Footy post-match. <\/p>\n
\u201cI do feel like I am learning a lot in the role, and that was probably what I hope I\u2019d get out of it, apart from obviously helping the club move forward. <\/p>\n
\u201cAt some point in time I\u2019ll be able to take a breath and really consider we\u2019re I\u2019m at.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the moment I\u2019m living in the moment and enjoying getting better with this group.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe reflection piece I have had is, do you ever know if you\u2019re really ready? <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve got confidence in my ability to coach, I\u2019ve got ambitions to do it. When the time is right, I\u2019ll be ready to declare myself for a role.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fraser reflects on a gritty 7th-straight | 10:13<\/p>\n
It\u2019s comments that Kangaroos great David King thinks marked a \u201clittle shift\u201d in Fraser\u2019s language and \u201cleft enough wiggle room\u201d for him to throw his hat in the ring.<\/p>\n
To throw out an extreme hypothetical, if Carlton won the flag, Fraser would get the job. <\/p>\n
So there\u2019s clearly merit to the idea that what he\u2019s doing for Carlton right now validates his overall prospects. <\/p>\n
The elephant in the room \u2014 which, admittedly feels less relevant with each passing win \u2014 is that Carlton has been in this position before with the failed appointment of interim coach David Teague.<\/p>\n
Teague only led the Blues to a 6-5 run, however, whereas this feels more real and the lift of vibes at Ikon Park has clearly extended off field. <\/p>\n
Even if bigger tests will come ahead of clashes with Hawthorn, Collingwood and Brisbane over the next month.<\/p>\n
King believes Fraser\u2019s \u201cgreatest challenge\u201d has been \u201cproving he\u2019s not David Teague\u201d in a saga he says \u201cscarred the footy club.\u201d<\/p>\n
But chief Herald Sun reporter Jay Clark argued Teague\u2019s 2019 appointment \u201cwas a long time ago\u201d and that Fraser has to be assessed independently from the caretaker coach tag.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel like we unfairly reach back to that. I think you have to judge Josh Fraser on Josh Fraser and the current group,\u201d Clark said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s working wonders at the moment and it looks fantastic. But I think we\u2019re at a point where we\u2019re starting to want some clarity from him surely.<\/p>\n
\u201cDoes he want this or not? Is this something that\u2019s going to motivate him? Does he feel like he\u2019s ready?\u201d<\/p>\n
Untried assistants including Jaymie Graham, James Kelly, Daniel Giansiracursa, Corey Enright and Hayden Skipworth are among the names that are in the mix for Carlton as it kicks off its interview process. <\/p>\n
The fact that the Blues have been most linked to unproven options surely helps Fraser\u2019s outlook.<\/p>\n
Carlton move into wildcard contention | 03:18<\/p>\n
\u201cCould you see a world where they give it to a first-year coach? Having just watched a first-time coach,\u201d King added.<\/p>\n
\u201cSay they take a gamble to give it to Hayden Skipworth, who we haven\u2019t seen in this environment.<\/p>\n
\u201cI almost think they gave (the caretaker job) to the guy they probably weren\u2019t going to give the job to: \u2018Put him in as the caretaker and let\u2019s just get to the end of the year, regardless of what the losses are. Let\u2019s build a bit of unity amongst the group. They all love him, they\u2019ll play for him and we\u2019ll see where it takes\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow the snowball has turned into an absolute monster.\u201d<\/p>\n
Clark thinks it\u2019s \u201cwhat so incredible about this situation\u201d specifically as Carlton gets closer to \u201cjudgement time\u201d, with Essendon and Tasmania also in the market for a senior coach.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe think Essendon is in a pickle with James Hird, the situation at Carlton is just as fascinating,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re going to pass over a bloke potentially who hasn\u2019t lost in two months to go for another untried coach?<\/p>\n
\u201cOne thing that\u2019s really clear is the players are right behind him. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe connection, you can\u2019t make this up, the energy you feel and the cohesion, brand and clarity you see on field.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think they\u2019re all massive ticks for Josh Fraser.\u201d<\/p>\n
MRO hands Long two game ban | 00:56<\/p>\n
HOW TO SOLVE A PROBLEM LIKE JEREMY?<\/p>\n
He\u2019s the reigning All Australian captain and Geelong\u2019s leading goal scorer for the past three seasons, but we now have a problem with star Jeremy Cameron.<\/p>\n
The two-time Coleman Medallist looked well off the pace in Thursday night\u2019s dismal loss to Brisbane \u2013 and not for the first time this season.<\/p>\n
Concern about his lingering arm issue, following the break in last year\u2019s grand final, was flagged in the final erm when Cameron appeared to go one-handed in a marking contest.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat right arm he cannot put into a contest at the moment,\u201d dual premiership Roo David King lamented in commentary.<\/p>\n
Cameron finished as the lowest possession getter on the ground with just four \u2013 despite spending 90 per cent time on ground.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s only the third game since he\u2019s been a Cat that he hasn\u2019t had a shot at goal \u2013 two of those in the last three weeks,\u201d King said.<\/p>\n
He failed to lay a tackle and took just one mark for the minutes he played.<\/p>\n
Jeremy Cameron has been training and playing with protection on his arm. Picture: Jake NowakowskiSource: News Corp Australia<\/p>\n
\u201cThis issue dates back to the grand final where of course he had the badly broken arm and tried to play on heroically,\u201d Fox Footy\u2019s Jon Ralph explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe had the plate inserted and it never really just stuck.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe had all those issues leading through the State of Origin game which he didn\u2019t play in.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe plate I think was put in too small \u2013 that\u2019s my understanding. And the bones in the arm have never really been set. So the issue is a nerve related issue.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe gets shooting pain down the arm \u2013 his arm goes numb at times. If they wanted to rectify it, it would be three months (sidelined).<\/p>\n
\u201cAs (Geelong assistant) James Rahilly said\u2026 he has really good days and really bad days. They thought he was going really well \u2013 he was as bad as that one-armed game against Adelaide\u2026 then came out and kicked 3.5 against the Gold Coast. Kicked a couple before the bye against Freo.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t see them saying season over\u2026 but how do you win three or four finals with him in that form?\u201d<\/p>\n
AFL great Jason Dunstall described Cameron\u2019s woes as a \u201ctough one\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m always going to back Jeremy in because he\u2019s done it so often and he can find his way in big games,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe had a quiet one (against Brisbane).<\/p>\n
\u201cI think he had four possessions, didn\u2019t have a shot at goal which is extraordinary.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019ll be times where he\u2019s got to battle through soreness in it. If the way you (speaking to Ralph) explained that, that pain does come into his arm, but I\u2019m still going to back the player.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll back the player in confident he\u2019s going to do the job for me in finals.\u201d<\/p>\n
King agreed there was not much that could be done without putting a line through Cameron.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s in great medical care \u2013 they are not taking any risks with him. They aren\u2019t gambling with it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a calculated, clear decision to give the player the best opportunity to be his best at some point this year.\u201d<\/p>\n
Speaking in his post-match press conference, Cats coach Chris Scott was adamant no risk was being taken with their five-time All Australian.<\/p>\n
Chris Scott talks Jezza form slump | 10:17<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s going through a bit of a flat spot, there\u2019s no doubt about that,\u201d Scott said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I do remember getting these questions the week before he kicked 11 so\u2026 if he doesn\u2019t kick at least 10 next week I\u2019ll be flat.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think anyone other than him knows that for sure (if it\u2019s his arm affecting his form).<\/p>\n
\u201cBut the feedback we\u2019re getting is he\u2019s well and truly good enough to play. And I think you can take it as read that we do not play players that we don\u2019t think can perform.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sort of making a habit of saying this because I feel more strongly about it than say I did even four or five years ago. The fact that a player can get out there to play doesn\u2019t mean that he should.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo in that context, we are quizzing the medical staff and Jeremy and he\u2019s saying look you know I\u2019m not perfect but I\u2019m well and truly good enough to perform.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe tend to give our champions a little bit more room than maybe some others. And we\u2019re really confident that he\u2019ll find his way through it.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd if he can\u2019t in the short term, then we\u2019ll think about how we help him through it even more.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a strange situation for us to be in… given how good he\u2019s been for us.\u201d<\/p>\n
One of Scott\u2019s comments in particular there – \u201cthe fact that a player can get out there to play doesn\u2019t mean that he should\u201d – is notable. It feels, much like Scott discussing Tyson Stengle\u2019s situation by saying the club is \u201cnot a charity\u201d, he is speaking to his player through the media.<\/p>\n
In a sense Scott could be telling Cameron he needs to make the call on his season, because the Cats either can\u2019t or won\u2019t.<\/p>\n
Cameron has never gone goalless in more than three games in a single season since arriving at the Cats \u2013 and he\u2019s already at that mark this year (Rounds 3, 13 and 17).<\/p>\n
He went goalless in five games in his debut AFL season back in 2012 and goalless four times while in his final year at the Giants in 2020.<\/p>\n
McRae praises ‘intense’ Magpies victory | 06:44<\/p>\n
DAICOS IMAGE THAT SUMMED UP PIES \u2018PASSION\u2019 IN KEY SELL TO TRADE TARGETS<\/p>\n
There\u2019s been questions on if Collingwood would be better off getting a higher draft pick than playing in a finals wildcard.<\/p>\n
But what price do you put on the club selling itself as a destination club that\u2019s still in the mix to trade targets and free agents? <\/p>\n
Even if the majority of the footy \ufeffworld no longer sees the Pies as a bona fide contender, they\u2019ve clearly not given up hope yet. <\/p>\n
The spirit and desire to keep winning was as clear as ever in Saturday\u2019s spicy win on the Gold Coast, with Brayden Maynard in the thick of it.<\/p>\n
Nick Daicos celebrating a free kick that secured the win moments before the final siren summed it up.<\/p>\n
It was about as passionate as we\u2019ve seen the little champ and showed how much it meant to him, along with the rest of his teammates with the celebrations that followed post-match. <\/p>\n
Not only was it a massive win in the context of Collingwood\u2019s season to stay in the finals hunt, it was an emotionally charged game after Ben Long\u2019s hit on Maynard sparked an all-in brawl and fiery clash. <\/p>\n
Maynard, Miller CLEARED to play | 00:42<\/p>\n
Triple premiership Lion Alastair Lynch said to Daicos in their post-game game interview he \u201clooked as passionate and emotional\u201d as he\u2019s seen him.<\/p>\n
Daicos said Collingwood had \u201cbuild this game up\u201d and that he \u201cviewed it as a final\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe set ourselves for this game, it\u2019s a huge win for our season,\u201d Daicos told Fox Footy. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe know it\u2019s four points, at the end of the day, but we\u2019re competing with these teams around us.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s massive… hopefully we can get some momentum now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tigers champion Jack Riewoldt described the interview as \u201cfascinating\u201d and said it was \u201cthe first time I reckon I\u2019ve seen Nick Daicos see red\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was because (Gold Coast) attacked Maynard, they went after the spiritual leader of the football club. That ignited something in Nick Daicos,\u201d Riewoldt said.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven post game, he was still bubbling away. It was really interesting, I loved seeing that from Daicos.\u201d <\/p>\n
Beyond Daicos, Maynard and Steele Sidebottom said it was one of the best wins they\u2019d been a part of including one of the stronger renditions of the song in the rooms. <\/p>\n
With all that in mind, maybe it\u2019s just something of a tribute year at Collingwood with its champions in the twilight of their career.<\/p>\n
A \u2018Last Dance\u2019 of sorts as they look to send out those greats in style and maximise this window. <\/p>\n
Pies down Suns in fiery affair | 02:58<\/p>\n
But you\u2019re also championing your club fabric, culture and what you stand for every week, which is just as valuable as the four points in the bigger picture.<\/p>\n
Which is critical for Collingwood in yet another pursuit to land trade targets and free agents. <\/p>\n
The biggest club in the land is looking to double downing on what\u2019s gotten them to this point, despite fears of a looming cliff, in a bid to maintain their run of success. <\/p>\n
That can include bringing in younger players from other clubs, like Jed Walter, in a strategy Geelong has been the masters of. <\/p>\n
Even if Tasmania is set to compromise future drafts, what\u2019s more important to the Magpies; having Pick 5 instead of Pick 10 in this upcoming draft? Or marketing itself to the likes of Zak Butters, Lachie Neale and Walter?<\/p>\n
What would those guys be thinking watching Collingwood players come from everywhere to defend Maynard? Or Daicos\u2019 passion? Who\u2019s simply Collingwood\u2019s best recruiting tool at this point. <\/p>\n
A high draft pick is great and Collingwood needs it more than most. But a winning culture is and being a destination club is better. <\/p>\n
Tigers\/Blues in ANOTHER brawl! | 01:33<\/p>\n
DOGS SEARCH FOR BIG \u2018UPGRADE\u2019 IN BUTTERS QUESTION<\/p>\n
For the second year in a row, Buku Khamis\u2019 future will be a point of contention as the Western Bulldogs continue in their pursuit of a key-defensive upgrade. <\/p>\n
It teases out an intriguing relative discussion about the club\u2019s Zak Butters pursuit. <\/p>\n
Unlike last year, when Khamis was first linked with a move to Carlton, the flexible 26-year-old is an unrestricted free agent at season\u2019s end. <\/p>\n
And as a three-year deal from the Dogs remains unsigned on the table, the Blues are expected to come calling again. <\/p>\n
But as Midweek Tackle\u2019s Jon Ralph notes, the Bulldogs aren\u2019t likely to be willing to pay Khamis the \u201cindustry figure\u201d. <\/p>\n
\u201cHis manager, Ray Purcell, is trying to get him a four-year deal \u2026 there\u2019s a three-year deal being offered at the Western Bulldogs,\u201d Ralph told Friday Night Footy on Fox. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe industry figure \u2026 maybe $800,000, $900,000 \u2014 it\u2019s a lot of money. He\u2019s not getting that at the Western Bulldogs right now. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe has met with Carlton. When he\u2019s amazing against Liam Ryan, you think, \u2018He\u2019s worth something like that\u2019. When he plays like he did tonight, you think, \u2018That\u2019s a lot of money for a player who can get exposed very easily\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n
Khamis was far from his best on Friday night against a red-hot Charlie Curnow, who repeatedly beat the Dogs\u2019 stopper one-on-one en route to nine marks and six goals. <\/p>\n
Curnow kicks six in Swans statement win | 02:23<\/p>\n
He\u2019s had his good moments this season, but it\u2019s hard to argue his total body of work justifies close to seven figures per season. <\/p>\n
Thus, Khamis is no guarantee to be at Whitten Oval next year as the club\u2019s list management crew assesses rival options for a key back upgrade. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s had 13 goals kicked on him against Charlie Curnow in two games this year,\u201d triple premiership player Jack Riewoldt said of Khamis. <\/p>\n
\u201c$900,000 is a very, very big price to pay for an undersized key defender – and those are Luke Beveridge\u2019s comments in the press conference (on Friday night). <\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think I\u2019d be paying Buku Khamis $900,000 for four years. He needs help, though. It can\u2019t be on Buku to be the man down there. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey need to go and find a key back to shore up this defence, to try and win another premiership \u2026 they need a key defender.\u201d<\/p>\n
Charlie Curnow of the Swans marks the ball under pressure from Buku Khamis of the Bulldogs during the round 17 AFL match between Sydney Swans and Western Bulldogs at Sydney Cricket Ground, on July 03, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
And the club knows it remains a position that needs to be addressed. <\/p>\n
It entered Round 17 sitting 17th for opposition marks on the lead, 15th for opposition shots at goal, and 11th for points against. <\/p>\n
The Dogs have canvassed the likes of fringe Adelaide pair Jordon Butts and James Borlase, while Charlie Ballard could be a gettable name come October. <\/p>\n
But club list boss Michael Regan just days ago said any pursuit of a defender wouldn\u2019t just be for the sake of it.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are at a point where if we\u2019re going to pursue a key defender, it needs to be a marked upgrade on what we have,\u201d Regan said.<\/p>\n
But as Ralph alluded to in the panel\u2019s discussion, is a \u201cmarked upgrade\u201d in the realm of possibility when the Dogs are expected to fork out roughly $1.6-1.8 million per year for Butters? <\/p>\n
\u201cWhere do the priorities lie, though?\u201d Riewoldt asked on Fox Footy on Friday night. <\/p>\n
\u201cI understand Zak Butters is a generational player, but is he going to take them closer to a premiership, or is a key defender – a really good key defender – going to take them closer?<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s my belief that it\u2019d be a key defender over Zak Butters. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve already got Ed Richards, Marcus Bontempelli and Sanders – who hits game 50 and is evolving – I just think a key defender is exactly what that club needs.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the end, the Dogs might have to settle for less. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe issue is they\u2019ve had a crack at (St Kilda\u2019s) Cal Wilkie, they\u2019ve had a crack at (Adelaide\u2019s) Mark Keane, and they keep saying no,\u201d Ralph added. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo a Borlase or a Ballard or a Butts might not be a great improvement. That\u2019s the issue right now.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"It was subtle, but it might\u2019ve been the moment Carlton\u2019s strange coaching search took a turn. Plus the…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":781289,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[560],"tags":[638,64,63,55,639,85],"class_list":["post-781288","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-afl","tag-afl","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-australian-football-league","tag-australianfootballleague","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/781288","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=781288"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/781288\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/781289"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=781288"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=781288"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=781288"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}