'Absolute disgrace': AFL world fumes over 'farcical' Carlton move
AFL fans have hit out at Carlton in anger after the club once again delayed making a decision on under-fire coach, David Teague.
The future of the Blues mentor has been the subject of intense speculation, with Carlton bosses widely expected to announce his exit on Monday morning.
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Teague's position has become increasingly unstable after Carlton launched an external review into their football department earlier this season.
With the club's board now digesting those findings, it was expected Teague's sacking would be confirmed on Monday.
In a stunning twist though, Carlton reportedly cancelled an all-club meeting for Monday morning and instead released a statement saying more time was required before making a call on the embattled coach's future.
Carlton President Luke Sayers issued a letter to members explaining the process and insisting that the club wouldn't be rushed into making a decision.
“With our AFL season complete, our club is now in a position to fully brief the senior leaders of the Football Department on the review findings. This process will commence this week and will involve consultation between the Board and football department regarding the recommendations provided,” Sayers said.
“The Club will take the necessary time required to absorb this review and any outcomes or decisions will be made in the timeframe that is in the best interest of the Club, not based on external expectations or pressure.
“As always, I remain committed to continue being open and transparent with our members and supporters regarding any outcomes and decisions that will arise out of this review, including the summarised findings, and as such, once this process is complete, our members will be the first to know.”
The confusing situation has left the AFL world incensed, with fans slamming Carlton for their treatment of Teague and accusing the club of hanging its coach out to dry.
Carlton’s treatment of David Teague is very shoddy. Even moreso when the chap conducting his review oversaw the s...show that was Collingwood’s trade period in 2020.
— Rohanc (@rohancct) August 23, 2021
Carltons treatment of David Teague is nothing but appalling. Farcical.
— David (@AFLNow) August 23, 2021
Absolute disgrace by the Carlton FC, they have allowed this to play out in a public forum, no support or care for Teague!
— JVS Cricket (@jvscricket) August 23, 2021
Teague being hung out to dry... again.
Even in the highly unlikely case the review says he should keeps his job how secure would he feel after the way he has been treated? https://t.co/eunSp9cqAE— Mark Gottlieb (@MarkGottlieb) August 22, 2021
Farcical. Failure to let David Teague know his fate today is a dereliction of duty by the Carlton hierarchy. https://t.co/jyFiULn5Cj
— Shane McInnes (@shanemcinnes) August 22, 2021
Absolute basket case of administration for a proud club!
— @tonyburnett (@tonybur92410804) August 23, 2021
That's a slap in Teague's face, there is no doubt that the external review has already made the decision that Teague will not coach Carlton in 2022. For fs treat him with respect without sitting him down to have him explain why the team failed this yr. I wish Teague all the best.
— Serge Di Naccio (@SergedDi) August 23, 2021
David Teague resigned to the axe
On Saturday night, Teague said he expected to be given clarity on whether he'll continue with the Blues into 2022, the final season of his three-year contract, on Monday but was all but resigned to losing his job.
"I'm guessing, I think it's going to be Monday," Teague said after Saturday night's 14-point loss to GWS.
"I had a chat this week and they said after the game, they'll get together, the board and have a look at that.
"... yeah, I understand the club's gonna make a decision. Let's be honest, it doesn't look like it's going to go in my favour.
"But in terms of what I've done and what I've been able to control: I know who I am, I know how I've done it, I'm really happy with it."
In the past week, Teague has lamented a perceived lack of support from within Carlton as pressure mounted on his position in just his second full season in the hot seat.
Teague was also frustrated at how speculation over his future had played out publicly, including the announcement of the external review, but said the Blues had improved in recent weeks.
"I love this club. I don't want to sit up here and say anything but when the review gets announced through the media, that's not high-performance," he said.
"I'm going to challenge, I'm gonna call it out that this footy club have got some areas to improve.
"I think even in the last three weeks, I won't go into what, but I've seen an improvement at a level that I haven't seen in the past."
Teague, who backed the Blues to find a way to compete for the top four, said he'd learned a lot and made mistakes during his tenure but was proud of his impact on Carlton.
"I'm really proud of the way they've gone about it. I'm really proud of the way we're shaping our culture, there's been a shift," he said.
"And they're the things that I'm going to leave really proud of."
with AAP
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