“Calm, humble, innovative”: Carlton confirms Fraser appointment

Carlton has confirmed the appointment of Josh Fraser as the club's next senior coach.

Fraser overcame a field which included Jaymie Graham, Corey Enright, James Kelly and Daniel Giansiracusa.

The 44-year-old has been appointed as the successor to Michael Voss after a near-perfect audition as caretaker coach.

Fraser has led the Blues to a 10-1-2 record since stepping into the interim role, guiding the club to the Wildcard Finals Round.

“I have always had ambitions to be a Senior Coach and what the last three months have done is give me the absolute belief that I am ready, and most importantly ready for this exact opportunity, to be Senior Coach of the Carlton Football Club,” Fraser said.

“When I was told by Rob, Graham (Wright) and Chris (Davies) that I had been appointed as Senior Coach, that sense of appreciation and responsibility I felt in that moment will never be lost on me.

“I firmly believe I am a product of amazing people around me. The collective commitment to each other and to get better every day in order to improve our football club is a privilege to be part of, and rest assured we want to continue to raise the standards in that regard.

“I also want to take this opportunity to thank our members, supporters, players, staff and the entire Carlton Football Club community for the incredible support they have shown me. The one-club mentality is a responsibility for all of us to carry and I have seen first-hand just how special that is.

“Continuing that connection is going to make what we are building sustainable. We know that as a club we still have a lot of work to do, but we are going to bring our people with us every step of the way. I can’t wait to see us embrace the work that will give us the best chance of achieving the ultimate success.”

Blues president Rob Priestley described Fraser as “calm, humble and innovative”.

“Josh has received a great deal of praise over the past three months, and deservedly so, but it was important for our football club, and for Josh himself, that he participated in the coaching selection process in its entirety,” he said.

“Through this detailed process Josh emerged as the standout candidate, even if you removed the sustained on-field transformation he has produced since taking the reins as interim coach.

“Over the last 14 years Josh has developed and demonstrated a proven football IQ and an innovative mindset. In addition to his coaching credentials, the qualities that made Josh a compelling candidate are the same qualities that will continue to shape our football club moving forward –– he is calm, humble, innovative and has an incredible club-first approach.

“We had a mandate when we commenced this process to appoint the best possible AFL Senior Coach for the Carlton Football Club and we have done that today with Josh.”

The former Collingwood and Gold Coast ruck/forward, who was the No.1 draft pick back in 1999, has been coaching since 2014 when he took the job as Suns reserves coach in the NEAFL.

Fraser initially joined the Blues in 2016 and coached the then-VFL-affiliated Northern Blues, staying on with the now-defunct club known as the Bullants for the 2021 and 2022 seasons.

He then moved back to his former club Collingwood in 2023 where he spent three years coaching the VFL side and as head of development.

Fraser then returned to Carlton as an assistant coach late last year before taking over as interim coach in May.