“Considering everything”: Fraser pondering Carlton coaching invitation

Carlton has asked Josh Fraser to go through the process as they continue to hunt for their next senior coach.

The club’s GM of footy, Chris Davies, has confirmed that they’d love for the current caretaker coach to put his hat in the ring for the full-time gig.

Fraser has a remarkable 8-2 record with the Blues since stepping into the vacancy left by Michael Voss’ departure in May.

The former Collingwood and Gold Coast ruck/forward has previously said he’s not ready to become a senior coach, but the Blues have implored him to step into the mix.

“From the start Josh has done a great job with the group since he’s come in,” Davies said on SEN Breakfast.

“In the last period of time we’ve moved into the second phase of our process and we’ve now asked Josh to be part of that.

“I think it’s fair and reasonable to say that after 10 weeks that he should have a better understanding of where he’s at.

“I’ve had a conversation with him throughout this week to say that we think he should put his hand up.”

Despite the invitation, Fraser says he has not yet committed to the process.

“There has been a conversation, an opportunity to go through the process, which I'm grateful for, and I think Chris was on radio this morning, articulating that, and I'll take some time now to consider whether I'm part of that or no,” he told reporters on Thursday morning.

“It's just considering everything that comes with being a senior coach and being prepared to go through that process and I've got a high awareness of it and this opportunity has given me a great chance to live it to a degree.

“But I want to make sure that when I go through a process, if I was to be successful, then I'm ready to hit the ground running. And that's how I approach most things in life, really considered it, making sure that I'm the best placed, not only for myself, but for the people around me.

“I think sitting in the chair is sitting in the chair, so you're exposed to a large number of things, but the reality is you're not exposed to everything, and I'm aware of that. But I've also felt like over the course of my coaching journey, I've had some great opportunities and experiences that are a little bit unique as well.

“So they're the things that I'm considering now, how well that places me to have confidence to go through a process. And I'm also aware that you can go through a process and be unsuccessful, but coming out the other side better for it as well. So those are the things that I'm considering now and trying to balance that out with a game in a couple of days against Brisbane.”

Davies says the club is soon expecting a decision from Fraser as to whether or not he will pursue the role beyond 2026.

“We’ve given him the next week or so to think about that,” he added.

“That will be interesting to see in itself. It will be his decision as to whether he wants to be a part of it. Of course there are ramifications of that either way.”

Davies’ experience in the game suggests to him that Fraser will make a great senior coach, but is right now unsure if that will be at Carlton or elsewhere in the future.

“I’ve had the fortunate aspect over my time in footy, I worked for a long time with Kenny Hinkley. I was able to see Matthew Nicks as an assistant coach, I worked with Michael Voss as an assistant coach and then as a senior coach. I was part of the group that put Josh Carr into the senior coaching role at Port Adelaide,” he said further.

“From my experience I think Josh Fraser is going to be an outstanding senior coach one day. Whether that’s with Carlton or another club into the future remains to be seen.

“I think he’s got the capability. It’s up to him now whether he puts his hand up or not.”

The likes of Corey Enright, James Kelly and Jaymie Graham are believed to be the other key candidates for the Carlton job.

There is a perception that Fremantle assistant Graham, who is also a candidate for the Essendon vacancy, is at the front of the queue for the role at the Blues.

But Davies stopped short of confirming that while insisting that he does not feel pressure to make an appointment while the Bombers go about finding their next senior coach.

“I want to be careful in not confirming who is in or out of our process,” he said firmly.

“But what I would say is ultimately the best person for Carlton is going to be the person who wants to do the Carlton job as well as getting through our process.

“I’ve got no issue with Essendon or when Tassie were going through their stuff. I don’t feel any time pressure or otherwise from anyone else who is going through this process at the moment.”