Carlton's 'Wheel of Blame' Spins Again, Voss Takes Lion's Share of Criticism
Carlton Football Club's persistent struggles have been starkly highlighted in a new viral iteration of Kane Cornes' highly popular 'wheel of blame' segment. The Channel 7 AFL expert, who first launched the segment last week to dissect Essendon's issues, has now turned his analytical focus to the Blues, conducting a deep dive into the years of problems that have culminated in the club's current predicament.
Decades of Failures Under the Microscope
Speaking on Channel 7's The Agenda Setters, Cornes meticulously apportioned responsibility across Carlton's hierarchy for their prolonged underperformance. The segment included former presidents Luke Sayers, Mark LoGiudice, and John Elliott, but it was coach Michael Voss who received the lion's share of the blame at 19 per cent. Cornes acknowledged that Voss had been "put in a tough spot", yet still assigned him the highest percentage, underscoring the weight of expectations on his leadership.
List Management and Historical Figures Criticised
Former list managers also faced significant scrutiny, with club great Stephen Silvagni copping criticism for his role during what Cornes described as "a crucial time" for the club. Silvagni received 5 per cent of the blame, a figure deemed too light by AFL great Luke Hodge and former Carlton star Dale Thomas. Cornes admitted, "A lot of it is around the way that the list has been developed", pointing to systemic issues in player recruitment and development.
Carlton's current list boss Nick Austin was allocated 7 per cent, with Thomas expressing dissatisfaction that Austin had a larger share than Silvagni. Cornes defended this by noting, "(Austin) has got the power now", suggesting current decision-makers bear ongoing responsibility.
Presidents and Performance Teams in the Firing Line
Luke Sayers was assigned 9 per cent of the blame, despite his continued presence in headlines. Cornes was particularly scathing, stating, "He's been a disaster. He's lucky to only be 9 per cent. If I read about his you-know-what one more time I'm going to lose it", hinting at off-field controversies. The high performance team also received 9 per cent, targeted over the club's injury concerns and late-game fade-outs, while former football boss Brad Lloyd was blamed for 8 per cent.
Former Coaches and Historical Cheating Addressed
Former coaches Brendon Bolton (7 per cent), David Teague (4 per cent), and Mick Malthouse (4 per cent) were included in the analysis, reflecting a pattern of coaching instability. John Elliott received 4 per cent for overseeing years of systematic salary cap cheating in the early 21st century, a scandal that Cornes highlighted as foundational to the club's ongoing issues.
Notable Absence: The Players Themselves
In a striking omission, the players themselves were absent from the wheel. When Hodge questioned this, asking, "Can you explain to us why don't you have the players down there?", Cornes replied succinctly, "The players ... it speaks for itself", implying that their performance issues are self-evident and perhaps beyond the scope of this hierarchical blame game.
This segment not only revisits Carlton's troubled history but also sparks broader conversations about accountability in AFL clubs, making it a must-watch for fans and analysts alike.
