Sam Docherty's Expletive-Laden Criticism Leads to Carlton Exclusion

Former Carlton captain Sam Docherty has faced exclusion from club functions after his expletive-laden criticism of the team's game-style was aired without his knowledge. The 32-year-old described Carlton as a "fking stshow" following their 63-point loss to Sydney.

Docherty later apologized for the profanity but firmly maintained the substance of his football analysis. The incident unfolded after a voice message from Docherty was played on content creator Daniel Gorringe's "Dan Does Footy" podcast.

Docherty's Candid Assessment

In the recorded message, Docherty provided a pointed critique of Carlton's on-field performance, highlighting specific areas of concern.

He observed that:

• Carlton performs strongly in fast, contested, and high-pressure game environments.
• The team struggles significantly when opponents manage to perform well in contests, which leads to a breakdown in their play.
• Docherty vividly described Carlton as an "absolute fing stshow" when the game transitions into a slower, more open style.
• He also suggested that the Blues would struggle immensely if opposing teams gained control of the midfield.

Carlton's Immediate Response

Carlton swiftly decided to exclude Docherty from a club function scheduled for Thursday night, ahead of their Round 2 game against Richmond. Nine's Damian Barrett reported that Docherty was informed by the club that he would not be appearing at the event.

This exclusion is characterized as a temporary cooling-off period, with expectations that Docherty will be included in future club functions.

Blues CEO Graham Wright explained the club's decision, stating it was made "based off supporting our own people internally."

Further details emerged from SEN's Sam Edmund, who reported that Docherty would not be involved in any official capacity until the Round 6 match against Collingwood. This specific return date is due to his role on the Peter Mac Charity board for the Peter Mac Cup.

Coach Michael Voss's Statement

Head coach Michael Voss addressed the media regarding the situation, emphasizing his focus on the present and future of the team.

Voss stated he did not devote extensive thought to the incident, framing it in the context of broader discussions about the club's evolving culture. He stressed the importance of drawing a clear distinction between "the old and the new" within the club, asserting that the current direction is resolutely forward-looking. Voss indicated he would not contact Docherty directly, aiming to avoid any further distraction to the current playing group.