AFL

The Blues are coming: Bombers next on Carlton hit list

Jun 6, 2026

Carlton winners. — The Blues are looking to continue their red-hot streak when they take on the struggling Bombers. -AAP Image

Josh Fraser insists he doesn't want the top job, but Carlton fans might not leave him with any other choice if the Blues continue their hot run all the way to a Wildcard berth.

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Carlton have been in irresistible form since Fraser stepped in as interim coach following the departure of Michael Voss last month.

Wins over the Western Bulldogs, Port Adelaide and Geelong have given Fraser a perfect 3-0 start in the hot seat, and Carlton will start warm favourites against a banged-up Essendon outfit in Sunday night's clash at the MCG.

Carlton (4-8) started round 13 just two wins adrift of 10th spot - a position that gives teams a crack at the finals after this year's introduction of a Wildcard round.

And given the Blues will be strong favourites against Essendon, West Coast and Richmond across the next month - the only exception being a tough match against GWS at Engie Stadium - Carlton are a strong chance to be 7-9 after round 17.

Fraser wants to be a full-time senior AFL coach one day - he just doesn't think the time is right now.

But with wins stacking up, Carlton's powerful supporter base could mount a huge campaign to parachute Fraser into the job full-time if he can lead the Blues into a Wildcard position.

For now, Fraser is keeping his focus on creating an environment where players can thrive following a tough period for the club.

"There's an enormous amount of resilience in the group, and I think for me it's been a lot about our growth mindset," Fraser said.

"I guess over time with resilience, if you continue to get a similar result that can chip away at you.

"But I think being able to flip the psyche around, 'OK, how do we get better, what does that look like, and how do we tinker and set the program up from Monday to Friday?'

"How considered we've been in that space, I think that's giving the players a lot of energy, and that's a process that'll be ongoing."

Sunday's match is a battle of the two interims - Dean Solomon up against Fraser.

Solomon took over at Essendon last week following Brad Scott's sacking, and his first game in charge resulted in a 30-point loss to West Coast in Perth.

The 46-year-old is yet to declare whether he would like to apply for the role full-time, but for now he just wants to help Essendon end the season with a bang.

The last-placed Bombers have won just once in their past 25 games, and their hopes against Carlton took a dive when Darcy Parish (knee soreness) joined Archie May (dislocated shoulder) on the injury list.

Carlton were also dealt a blow when star defender Jacob Weitering was ruled out with a calf injury.