Adam Cooney believes Michael Voss will return Carlton to finals action this year for the first time since 2013.
Voss, in his first year at the Blues, has been assigned a massive task in getting the best out of an underachieving Carlton list who are promising plenty after a strong trade period.
It’s why Cooney believes the former Lion is under an incredible amount of pressure before he’s even coached a game.
“Michael Voss comes in and inherits a pretty good list, so there are no excuses for Vossy in year one,” Cooney told SEN SA Breakfast.
“He’s got to be the most under pressure year one coach in the history of the game because such is Carlton’s list, at the moment, as they've topped up with midfield talent in Adam Cerra and George Hewett and bolstered that midfield department.
“It’s finals or failure in Voss’ first year as coach… I’m hoping it’s a similar game style that Port Adelaide plays, good contested ball, good clearance, high inside 50s and then try to defend the ground.
“I think they will move the ball pretty quickly… so I’m expecting a similar style to the way Port Adelaide plays, tough, uncompromising and pretty ballistic when they do get up and going.”
Voss joined the Blues after several years as a senior assistant at Port Adelaide, where he’s credited with a large part of their success in recent times.
Carlton recruited Cerra, Hewett and Lewis Young during last year’s trade period, while forgotten forward Charlie Curnow is on track for a round one return from a knee injury.
Captain Patrick Cripps is also hoped to return to form, reports emerging late last year that the 26-year-old had been carrying a back injury for the season.
With plenty of places to look for upcoming improvement, Cooney is setting his sights on the forward line, particularly last year’s Coleman Medal winner and his partner in crime.
“That’s the key to their success, really, those two (McKay and Curnow),” Cooney said.
“I understand how hard Sam Walsh works as a midfielder and Cerra coming in, he’ll be star of the future, there’s no doubt about that.
“Hewett is a worker, he’s a hard worker, so they’ve got some hard runners through that area and they should be strong there.
“If McKay and Curnow can get going, there’s no reason why Carlton shouldn’t play finals.”
“They’ve filled every need, so now it’s up to how they play and how fit they stay, but there’s a lot of upside to this Carlton list.”
McKay is currently battling foot soreness and is in a race against time to be fit for round one, however the injury isn’t expected to play a major role in his season.
All in all, Cooney is predicting vast improvement from the club which won eight games in 2021.
The 2008 Brownlow Medallist also foresees a situation that hasn’t unfolded since 2012 – Carlton beating Richmond in round one.
“I’m going to say that they’ll win 12 games plus, I think they will play finals,” Cooney stated.
“Their first six rounds, they’ve got Richmond in round one, I’m going to put that down for a win, they’ll lose to Bulldogs in round 2, beat Hawthorn, beat Gold Coast, I’m going to say they’re going to beat Port Adelaide at the MCG, then they play Fremantle over (in Perth).
“So they could be 4-2, maybe 5-1 if things go really well for the Blues.
“It all depends on if Harry McKay comes back early.”