“’The speculation will intensify’: Matthew Lloyd sheds light on Michael Voss’s challenges before the Blues’ grudge match”

With increasing pressure surrounding Carlton, Matthew Lloyd expresses doubt regarding Michael Voss’s job security, despite him having a contract that extends to 2026.

The Blues have had a dismal start to the season, suffering three consecutive defeats, including a loss to the struggling Richmond, who are tipped to finish at the bottom of the ladder.

As they prepare to face arch-rivals Collingwood in front of what is expected to be a massive crowd of 85,000 fans at the MCG on Thursday night, Lloyd considers this game a crucial one for Carlton—not only for their season but also for Voss’s future.

“He may have a contract for next year, but contracts in football can mean little; clubs often have the capacity to pay out in six months,” Lloyd stated on 3AW.

“You could be bound to a three-year deal, yet if dismissed, you would only receive half a year’s pay. It has become relatively easy for clubs to move away from coaches these days.

“Voss has only managed to secure two victories in his last 12 matches, with those wins coming against North Melbourne and West Coast.”

“There’s certainly an increasing amount of pressure on Voss at Carlton to deliver results, or the discussions surrounding his future will intensify.”

The Essendon legend believes that Carlton’s playing style is outdated, focused heavily on contests and stoppages, which has left them trailing behind more successful teams.

“The manner in which they are losing is concerning. The effort is commendable, and the players are fighting hard for him, but they are employing a style of football that will not yield success in 2025,” Lloyd remarked.

“Melbourne is the other team playing this style. They simply bomb the ball into the forward line—a crash-and-bash sort of game—while top teams like Brisbane move the ball quickly. Hawthorn employs a similar approach.”

“Facing Collingwood on a significant stage on Thursday night is crucial for Voss’s future.”

“If they lose, it could be curtains for their season. An 0-4 start would place them in a sticky situation. They’d need at least 13 wins to contend for finals, which makes things exceedingly tough.”

Despite delivering this grim assessment about Carlton’s prospects, Lloyd currently leans towards backing the Magpies.

“Carlton appears somewhat one-dimensional. Their style is heavily contested, while Collingwood plays with speed,” he added.

“Although Collingwood is an experienced team, they move the ball in line with the evolving nature of the modern game.”

“I’m tipping Collingwood for this encounter due to the style and football they play.”

Carlton will be hoping for the return of key player Harry McKay, who has been absent for the past two weeks due to personal reasons.