Carlton should fast-track a mini list rebuild by trading five players and backing coach Michael Voss, according to St Kilda icon Leigh Montagna.
The Blues' prospects in 2025 continued to plummet after a 50-point loss to Port Adelaide saw the team move to 6-9 for the season and be all-but out of finals contention.
Pressure has been growing on the position of coach Michael Voss, with his battle to get the Blues to perform consistently during his tenure, which started in 2022.
However, Montagna feels Carlton should explore trading some of its experienced players first, before deciding to part ways with their coach.
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The Saints legend believes Voss, who is contracted for 2026, should get a shot with a list more suited to how football is being played currently.
“I’m calling them the unreliable five,” Montagna said on Fox Footy’s The First Crack.
“They are the five players they bought into this football club to elevate them to be a top four contender and premiership contender. For all sort of reasons these guys have been unreliable and haven’t got the job done.
“We know a lot of them have had injury troubles and they’ve been inconsistent with their form. They lack resilience. Have they got the leadership required? Because they’ve all been well paid and signed these big deals. But they have failed to deliver consistently.
“Mitch McGovern has finished top 10 in the best and fairest once. Adam Saad has never finished top five in a best and fairest. He’s been inconsistent and this is the lowest rated year of his career. Zac Williams has never been top 10 in the best and fairest. Blake Acres, as consistent and reliable as he is with his effort, his kicking has become a liability – he’s been bottom five in the competition for two years running for kicking.
“I’m probably being a bit harsh on Adam Cerra, because he’s finished fourth in the best and fairest. But they signed him and re-signed him to step up when the others haven’t been able to perform at their best. He hasn’t done that, he’s not a guy who elevates the group. He just goes with the flow.
“Before you tip over Michael Voss I would look at maybe looking to move on some of these guys who haven’t got the job done.
“Individually they’re all good players and they’ll all get an opportunity at another club to fill a need.
“But together at the Carlton Football Club they are not getting the job done. I think they need to be more open minded to making change with the list.
“I want to see Michael Voss have a list next year more accustomed to 2026 football with kickers and guys who can run and carry.”
The Blues will struggle to avoid the spotlight this week as they host ladder leaders Collingwood at the MCG on Friday night in the biggest match of Round 17.