A “flat” Patrick Cripps says he was the first to know about the immediate resignation of Carlton coach Michael Voss.
The departure of Voss broke on Tuesday morning after the Blues’ one-win start to the season.
Carlton players started arriving around 10am, led by captain Cripps who spoke to the media on his way in.
“I spoke to Vossy but obviously we’ll chat more later today,” Cripps said.
“He’s going to address all the players, he’s been a great mentor and a great coach to me so he just let me know before everyone else found out.
“Our relationship is really strong and that’s all I can really say now, guys. I will chat later on.”
The news of Voss’ resignation broke early Tuesday morning.
The under siege mentor seemingly jumped before he was pushed, resigning after the arduous start to season 2026.
Voss took Carlton to a preliminary final in 2023 and an elimination final in 2024 but lost both matches to Brisbane.
The Blues challenged the Lions in a strong second half on Friday night but it would ultimately be Voss’ last game at the helm.
This was Voss’ fifth season at Carlton after five seasons coaching Brisbane between 2009-2013.
Cripps denied the players were made aware of Voss’ plan to resign before Friday’s loss to Brisbane at the Gabba.
“Nah, nah, nah I only found out last night, mate,” he said.
“It was a sense of you’re flat because you’ve been through some good times but also some tough times with him and got a great relationship with Vossy.
“I am guessing I will chat to everyone later today but from my end I couldn’t speak highly enough of Vossy.”
First-season Blue Ollie Florent also stopped for questioning, signing off with a “stick with us, it’ll turn” message to the fans.
“I am flat, you know, I was hoping we could get it done for him, he’s such a great coach and I just wish him nothing but the best,” Florent said.
“He’s welcomed me so nicely into this club and I just wish him all the best.
“We had to keep playing for him, he’s Michael Voss, he’s led by example for so long and I’ve never had this many cameras in my face before.
“It’s really sad to see him go, thanks guys, I’ve gotta go.”
Voss has endured a difficult run on and off the field across the past two seasons.
He was subject to a death threat by a supporter, was the victim of vandalism at club headquarters and was at the centre of the Elijah Hollands saga last month.
The former champion player stood by his staff throughout the entire Hollands saga but the noise around his position only grew.
Carlton has won just one match this season – a narrow victory over Richmond – and had repeated second-half capitulations.
Regarded assistant coach Josh Fraser is expected to be announced as the interim coach.
There is a slew of ready-made coaches available, including premiership coaches John Longmire and Adam Simpson as well as Nathan Buckley and Ken Hinkley.
Simpson has acted as a consultant to Voss this season, while Buckley stepped back into the coaches’ box as an assistant at Geelong.
More to come
