Josh Fraser will be at Carlton in 2027 – but in what role?

July 2, 2026 — 12:10pm

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In today’s AFL briefing:

In his first year on the Blues’ coaching panel, Josh Fraser said he saw his future at Ikon Park.

Sydney coach Dean Cox has confirmed that Hayden McLean will replace the injured Joel Amartey.

Carlton interim coach Josh Fraser has committed his future to the Blues, declaring he will be at the club next year irrespective of who gets the top job.

As more candidates emerge in the race to replace Michael Voss long term, Fraser said he has not been invited by the club to take part in their selection process.

Despite six wins from as many games since taking over the once stricken Blues, Fraser remains steadfast he will not be putting his hand up for the role.

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In his first year on the Blues’ coaching panel, Fraser said he saw his future at Ikon Park.

“I do,” Fraser said on Thursday morning. “I see myself being involved in a way forward for the footy club.”

The Blues are casting the net far and wide in their hunt for a coach who their long-suffering fans hope can deliver the club their first premiership since 1995.

Former Blues coach David Teague’s ill-fated reign will not count against Fraser should he throw his hat into the ring. Teague claimed the job in 2019 after winning six of 11 games as the replacement for Brendon Bolton but left just two years later after disappointing campaigns.

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Asked about the process the Blues are running, Fraser deflected to his current job.

“[It] makes me feel like we need to train well today,” Fraser said. “This is part of it, like my role right now, and my responsibilities to the players and the football club as an interim coach. I’ll respect the process that’s going off to the side. I haven’t taken any real notice of it, to be honest.

“I think as soon as I start to do that, it takes away from the energy and the focus I need on our playing group.”

Fraser has taken the Blues from the bottom four to the cusp of the wildcard positions. A win over Richmond would likely take them into the top 10 depending on other results.

The Tigers have been a thorn in the Blues’ side the past 18 months. The Voss reign never recovered after the Blues gave up a big lead in round one last year, and they narrowly escaped a similar fate this season only to lose the next seven in a row.

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Under Fraser, the second-half fadeouts have disappeared. “We’ve focused a lot around our connection on field and being able to manage different moments in games and momentum shifts,” Fraser said. “I wouldn’t say we’re fixed by any stretch, and I think each week we’ll present something different. But really it’s come back to our training and our habits.”

The Blues remain unsure when star defender Jacob Weitering will return after he re-injured his calf at training last week.

“I think with Weiters, it’ll be a really considered approach as to how we rehab him from here and get him back and give him every chance to be a part of the season,” Fraser said. “It’s a re-injury, and one that will again be considered and explore every option to make sure he’s right to return.

“I think it’s still relatively early in terms of mapping out a plan for him, but we’d be hopeful.”

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Swans make changes for Bulldogs clash

Jonathan Drennan

Sydney coach Dean Cox has confirmed that Hayden McLean will replace the injured Joel Amartey against the Western Bulldogs on Friday night at the SCG.

Amartey has kicked 29 goals this season in 15 games but faces 10 weeks out after injuring his Achilles in the Swans’ 43-point loss to the Brisbane Lions last Thursday.

McLean has been battling with Amartey for a place in the Swans’ forward line-up all season. To this point, he has played just four games, but impressed with nine goals.

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The tall forward has consistently excelled for the Swans’ reserves and kicked six goals against Sandringham last Saturday in the VFL.

Cox said that he was confident that McLean would slot in,after he kicked three goals against North Melbourne in round nine and four goals against Richmond in round 12.

“When he came in and played North Melbourne, Hayden did a really good job; similarly against Richmond he did it and played his role,” Cox said.

“I think that that’s the most important part about what he’s done is he goes back and does what he has to do at VFL level. We’ve got extreme confidence and trust that when he comes back into the AFL system, he’ll do his role really well.”

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The Swans have a growing injury list, with defender Sam Wicks also ruled for at least a month after aggravating his hamstring in the heavy loss to the Lions.

Cox is set to recall veteran defender and former captain Dane Rampe after his recovery from a calf strain to help plug holes in a defence that was exploited ruthlessly by the Lions.

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“Obviously, we had Dane come back and play some VFL last week [against Sandringham] off an extended break,” Cox said. “It’ll be good to have him back in the team and obviously provide some experience ... the way he can communicate behind the ball and set up what we need to do.

“He’s done that for his whole career, so there’s a chance for him to come back and do that [against the Western Bulldogs], but it’s not about him doing anything else other than what’s required at the certain moment.”

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The Bulldogs are coming off a 21-point win against St Kilda last Sunday. The last time the Swans faced the Western Bulldogs in April they won by 66 points, but Cox said that his players are ready for a different team on Friday night.

“We presume their squad is going to be a little bit different than the one we played at the start of the year,” Cox said.

“We’ve watched them really closely over the last month. They’re 3-1, they’ve beaten some really good teams in Hawthorn, St Kilda [and Collingwood] ... They’ve had a bye, and by all reports their players are healthy and we’re ready for them at their best.”

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Andrew Wu writes on cricket and AFL for The Age.Connect via X or email.

Jonathan Drennan is a sports reporter for the Sydney Morning Herald.

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