Bolt Out of the Blues

The death knell sounded after Round 10 when Carlton president Mark LoGiudice spoke on Melbourne radio station 3AW, telling listeners that the club was committed to Senior Coach Brendon Bolton. After the Round 11 loss to Essendon,  Mark LoGiudice, CEO Cain Liddle and head of football Brad Lloyd met with Bolton and his manager late Sunday night to relay the news that Bolton's tenure was over. Bolton broke the news to the players the next morning.

Bolton will receive a one-off payout. Bolton took over as coach in August of 2015 but the team has failed to show any consistent improvement during his time. The Blues have won just one match in 2019 so Bolton's record stands at 16 wins and 61 losses. LoGiudice was on the board when the club sacked Brett Ratten and hired Mick Malthouse in 2010. Being president since 2014, he has overseen the axing of Malthouse and now Bolton.

There is no shortage of possible candidates to be the new coach:

• Brad Scott (North Melbourne) - took the Kangaroos to consecutive Preliminary Finals in 2014 and 2015, still has plenty to offer and many admirers.
• Scott Burns (Hawthorn) - was a contender for the Gold Coast job which went to Stuart Dew. Was also in the running for West Coast (losing out to Adam Simpson). Was an assistant for five seasons with the Eagles before joining former teammate Nathan Buckley at Collingwood as midfield coach for four seasons. Joined the Hawthorn coaching staff in 2019.
• Matthew Nicks (Greater Western Sydney) - the former Sydney player spent eight seasons as an assistant at Port Adelaide, is well-qualified for a senior position having completed the AFL's Level Four coaching course, and is well-respected among the coaching ranks.
• Brett Kirk (Sydney) - the 2005 premiership player was also in the Level Four coaching course. Has excellent people skills to help develop players on and off the field.
• David Teague (Carlton) - will coach the Blues for the remainder of the season and has been accepted for the next level Four coaching course. Played for North Melbourne and Carlton before becoming a Carlton assistant in charge of Carlton's VFL side the Northern Bullants in 2008. Took the Bullants into the VFL Grand Final in 2008 and coached them to the VFL premiership in 2009. Had stints at St Kilda, West Coast and Adelaide before rejoining Carlton in 2018.
• Steven King (Western Bulldogs) - was ruck and midfield coach with St Kilda in 2011 before crossing to the Bulldogs in 2012. Coached the Bulldogs' defensive unit in 2017. Began the Level Four coaching course last year. Considered a "dark horse" for the Carlton job.
• Brett Ratten (St Kilda) - after being sacked by Carlton, he landed at Hawthorn as an assistant 2013 to 2015, then joined St Kilda where he has won high praise for his work with the Saints. Many Carlton fans would love to see him get another chance with the club he played for.

Other candidates:

• Adam Kingsley (Richmond)
• Blake Caracella (Richmond)
• Ben Rutten (Essendon)
• Jade Rawlings (Melbourne)
• Justin Longmuir (Collingwood)
• Dean Solomon (Gold Coast)
• Josh Drummond (Gold Coast)
• Craig Jennings (Melbourne)
• Daniel Giansiracusa (Western Bulldogs)

Former Carlton forward Andrew Walker, who played under both Ratten and Bolton, has thrown his support behind Ratten returning as senior coach. Walker said all one would have to do is look at the results, considering Ratten was Hawthorn's assistant during their hat-trick of premierships in 2013, 2014 and 2015. In speaking on SEN Radio, Walker said 2011 was the  most exciting season for him. He pointed out the fact that the team was ravaged by injuries in 2012 and struggled, just missing the final eight. Of Ratten, he said, “I thought he was a great coach and great for developing young players.” Ratten took Carlton to the 2011 Semi Finals and had the team as early premiership favorites in 2012, before the injury toll derailed the season and ultimately cost him his job.

Sources: sen.com.au, afl.com.au