Former AFL recruiter Matt Rendell is predicting Carlton to part ways with senior coach David Teague at the end of the season.
The Blues are launching an external review of their football department with president Mark LoGiudice insisting Teague’s job is safe for 2022.
Speaking on SEN’s Dwayne’s World, Rendell thinks a coach with a “hard edge” and better “footy IQ” like Alastair Clarkson is required to get the best out of Carlton’s list.
The 14th-placed Blues look set to miss the finals after last week's 22-point loss to injury-ravaged West Coast.
Stay up to date with all the latest news from SEN. Sign up HERE.
“Does Teague survive this review? I’m picking right here, right now he doesn’t,” Rendell said.
“What I watched of Carlton on the weekend, and I know a lot's been said, they need a hard edge in that team, and he (Clarkson) would provide it.
“I don’t think Teague is providing that hard edge in the coaching department. Their footy IQ was abysmal last weekend.
“They put (Sam Docherty) on a wing and then they put (Ed) Curnow in defence. West Coast have got two midfielders – (Dom) Sheed and (Andrew) Gaff – he (Teague) should have been tagging one of them with (Tim) Kelly and (Luke) Shuey out.
“Their footy IQ is really poor at the moment with how they are planning. They just look like they’re going out and playing.
“I think they’ll get a change at the end of the year, Carlton. I’m not saying it’s going to be Clarkson, but I think it’ll be an ideal fit.
“Carlton with a change of coach and a real tough, mean mindset – which we know ‘Clarko’ will provide – they’re a real chance to finish in the top four with their list.”
Rendell has called on Carlton to chase Clarkson with the four-time premiership coach contracted to the Hawks until the end of 2022.
“If Hawthorn are prepared to part ways with a year to go on his contract – which makes a lot of sense to me with where they’re at, clearly going down the rebuild path – they might let him out of his contract in his last year.
“I would be chasing him if I was Carlton.”
Clarkson told reporters on Thursday that he wants to see out the final year of his Hawthorn contract.