David Teague. Image: carltonfc.com.au
David Teague has again launched a passionate defence of his position as Carlton coach as the end of the season draws closer and the decisions on the Blues’ football department review loom.
Carlton plays GWS on Saturday night in what could be Teague’s final game in charge of what has been another season of tumult at Ikon Park where the heat on the senior coach and other members of the football department has been turned right up since incoming president Luke Sayers commissioned an external of the football department during the clubs mid-season bye.
Sayers, 52, this week formally took over as Carlton president from Mark LoGiudice and along with the rest of his board, will sift through the findings of the external review that was handed down at a board meeting last week.
After former St Kilda and Fremantle coach Ross Lyon declared his interest in coaching again on Footy Classified on Wednesday night, Teague was firm in his belief that he is the man to lead the Blues in 2022.
“Well, I’m contracted for 2022,” Teague said on Thursday.
“I’m planning for that. I still believe I’m the person to go forward. Unless he knows something that I don’t know, then I’m going to continue to plan to be the coach next year.”
While Teague said he has understood the reasons behind the club’s need to undertake a review, he said he would have liked more support from the club, which had not “nailed” the process.
“I understand the review process and not the commentary,” Teague said.
“Would I have loved for some people at the club from within the club to have come out and backed me up? Absolutely, I’m not going to lie.
“I love this footy club. I understand the why, but have we nailed the process? I don’t think so, I think that’s clear. I think everyone would put their hand up to that.
“But in terms of the why, the desire is to get the Carlton footy club back to being a really good team and I want that, I desperately want that. I want to be part of it, I believe I can be part of it.”
More AFL News
The Inner Sanctum’s AFL First-Year Player Team of the Year
Down to Depth: John Longmire on the test Sydney faces ahead of finals
Kaine Baldwin breaks down mental barriers in triumphant return to footy
Teague said he hasn’t had any indication from Carlton powerbrokers about which way the club will go regarding his future at the club beyond Saturday night against GWS.
“Not really, no. I am focusing on this game and preparing for GWS this weekend and giving the players the best opportunity to learn,” Teague said.
“I have had some communication with (new president) Luke (Sayers) along the way, not so much on the findings of the review but more so around other areas and why probably a little bit more around the why of the review.
“I haven’t been giving the findings yet. At this stage, I think it’s just gone to the board and maybe the CEO at this stage as well.
“They are deliberating on those findings right now and making sense of them and probably from there some decisions will be made or not probably, there will be some decisions made from there and I look forward to those findings.
“We started this review in a manner to learn and get better and that’s what I want to do, I want to continue taking this club forward and improving and growing.”
Patrick Cripps was a late withdrawal for the clash against Port Adelaide and will need to complete training today to be available for selection.
It is going to be another emotional night for the Blues as they look to send out club and competition favourite Eddie Betts as he plays his 350th and final game.
Subscribe to our newsletter!
About Author
