Carlton coach Josh Fraser plans off-season changes following elimination final exit

Carlton concluded its 2026 AFL season following a 33-point loss to Geelong in an elimination final at the MCG on Friday. Despite a successful back half of the year that saw the club secure an unexpected finals berth, coach Josh Fraser emphasized that the team must improve to remain competitive in 2027. Fraser confirmed that the club intends to take a broad approach to player recruitment during the upcoming trade and draft period, specifically looking to bolster midfield depth and key position stocks. The coach maintained that while the group showed character during their late-season run, finishing eighth is not the ultimate standard for the club. Efforts to strengthen the roster will be balanced with the continued development of players already on the list. Carlton will now look to address these gaps during the summer to ensure the squad is better positioned for the next campaign.

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