Michael Voss

Factor holding up Voss contract call revealed as rival coach nears extension

Two of 2024’s off-contract coaches are said to be in talks over new deals.

Published by
Mitch Keating

Contract talks between Carlton and coach Michael Voss are understood to have reached a "holding pattern", while Adelaide are said to be moving to re-sign their own main man in Matthew Nicks prior to the season's start.

Both Voss and Nicks are without deals beyond 2024, with Fremantle's Justin Longmuir the third off-contract coaching figure for this year given Cats coach Chris Scott has reportedly renewed with no formal announcement yet.

The Blues and Crows are both expected to hand their coaches two-year extensions that will extend their partnerships until the end of the 2026 season, with both deals a chance of being signed before a ball is bounced this coming season.

Voss' talks with Carlton are said to be paused for the time being however, with monetary factors in the way of a deal being finalised.

According to 9 News reporter Tom Morris, the two parties are "still some way apart" on an agreement.

"There's a holding pattern between Carlton and Michael Voss at the moment. The reason? Money," Morris revealed on Tuesday night.

"Now 20 per cent of Michael Voss' salary can be paid from outside the soft cap in 2024. Carlton made a lot of money last year, but despite this, Voss' management and the club are still some way apart.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 08: Michael Voss, Senior Coach of the Blues celebrates during the 2023 AFL First Elimination Final match between the Carlton Blues and the Sydney Swans at Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 08, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

"I still think this deal is going to get done, but the reason it hasn't been done yet is purely financial. It'll be two years when it does."

Adelaide is said to be moving to potentially have Nicks' future settled before the Crows' opening game against Gold Coast in mid-March.

Should both Nicks and Voss have their contract news in the coming weeks, pressure will mount on Longmuir once the season gets underway.

"Meanwhile at Adelaide, Matthew Nicks will sign a two-year deal at some stage in the next few weeks, maybe even before Round 1," Morris added.

"The Crows are keen to not let that be a distraction in 2024.

"That leaves Justin Longmuir as the only coach that will be without a contract at the start of the season. It puts him under a lot of pressure."

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 13: Dockers coach, Justin Longmuir speaks to his players during the round nine AFL match between Sydney Swans and Fremantle Dockers at Sydney Cricket Ground, on May 13, 2023, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/AFL Photos/Getty Images)

On Tuesday Fremantle addressed recent speculation surrounding Longmuir's future and links to contract Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge, with the Western Australian club reported to be considering the premiership coach if Longmuir failed to fire this season.

Dockers football boss Joe Brierty labelled the rumours as misleading.

Following a semi-final finish in 2022, Fremantle managed 10 wins last year to amass a 14th-place finish on the ladder.

Published by
Mitch Keating