Carlton “gave up” on coach David Teague during Saturday’s dismal 39-point loss to North Melbourne, according to Kane Cornes.
The Blues’ faint finals hopes were extinguished by an impressive young Kangaroos outfit as Carlton's defensive frailties were laid bare.
“The players look to me like they’ve given up on the coach – and we can show a million examples of that,” Power champion Cornes told Channel Nine’s Sunday Footy Show.
“During that third quarter – they gave up on the coach.
“The demise is coming for David Teague. I think we’ve all been around footy long enough to know which way this is going.
“Whether that’s this week, in a month, in 12 months’ time – he’s not going to be the long-term option as Carlton coach because he hasn’t bought into the defensive aspects of the game.
“A defensive coach could come in and instantly through the course of a pre-season make Carlton a four-goal better side.
“Unfortunately, that will be the end of David Teague, the fact that he hasn’t got this team to be able to buy into the defensive aspects of the game.”
North Melbourne forward Nick Larkey booted a career-high seven goals, while improving youngster Tarryn Thomas also starred with four majors.
The Roos piled on seven goals to none in the third quarter to run away with the match.
“You wonder why Nick Larkey kicked seven goals, it’s because not one Carlton defender put a glove on him,” Cornes said.
“(Lachie) Plowman and (Jacob) Weitering do not touch the forward who is the most threatening one for the opposition, that’s one example of that.
“Lachie Plowman – how he continues to be selected in this side amazes me.”
Carlton is currently conducting a football department external review which could decide whether Teague coaches on in 2022.