Recently retired Carlton great Sam Docherty has voiced his frustration at his former side’s 63-point loss to Sydney in Opening Round.
The 184-game defender firmly labelled the Blues as “f***ed” in 2026 if their season-opening clash at the SCG was anything to go by.
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Revealed via a voice message to former teammate Daniel Gorringe on the Dan Does Footy podcast, the former co-captain was blunt in his assessment of the performance.
“Exactly what happened again last night, is the same sh*t that happens in every other game,” Docherty said.
“When the game’s hot and contested and pressurised, Carlton is good in that environment. But as soon as some team can do somewhat good in the contest, the rest of the game just f***ing falls to pieces.
“Carlton were +21 in contested possessions; they were just winning all the contests around the ground, which then got the ball played in their half on their terms. Admittedly their ball movement was pretty good in the first half, and they were sort of able to control the tempo.
“But then they start losing contests. They get under pressure, they can’t get a hold of the ball and they’re just an absolute f***ing sh**show.
“Essentially, because the game gets somewhat slower and there’s more open brand footy, that’s when Carlton is f***ing horrible.
“That’s essentially what happened again last night. Sydney (were) +10 in the third quarter in contested possession. Game against Carlton, defence doesn’t hold up.
“Basically, you smack our mids again this year, and we’ll be f***ed, going off last night.”
Speaking on 3AW later, Docherty apologised for his language, saying that although he stood by its sentiments, his memo was never intended to be used by Gorringe verbatim.
“I sent (Gorringe) a recap of my thoughts from the game last night which I thought was guiding a conversation, but I didn’t think was getting used verbatim,” Docherty said.
“It is what it is. Fairly strong comments in the end with what was released on the podcast, but I stand by the thoughts of what I was talking about because I’ve been talking about it all of the back end of last year and some of last night. But I do need to apologise to everyone for the expletives used throughout.
“I wasn’t thinking it was going out verbatim, but that’s OK. (Gorringe) is one of my best mates and I understand that that’s what the podcast is about, being close to the community and doing that. Just making sure I’m clarifying my comments.”
As part of the 3AW interview, Essendon legend Matthew Lloyd said he would be “bitterly disappointed” if the same thing had happened to him.
“I’d be bitterly disappointed in Dan Gorringe personally, I know he’s a mate of yours but I don’t think mates do that to mates personally,” Lloyd said.
“I don’t think mates do that to mates, personally.”
Originally published as ‘Mates don’t do that’: Awkward update in explosive leaked Carlton voice message
