Bombers’ $1m payout problem, Voss has ‘one-month window’ as double AFL sacking fears grow

As the coaching futures of Brad Scott and Michael Voss continue to come under scrutiny, fresh reports have spoken to the potential repercussions facing Essendon and Carlton at either end of the decision-making spectrum.

On The Couch’s Jon Ralph revealed on Monday night that the Bombers would face a significant financial burden if it opted to move on from Scott, with the club locked into the entirety of his deal which runs out at the end of 2027.

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“Here’s the bottom line: If Essendon chose to sack Brad Scott, they would face a full, million-dollar payout for 2027,” Ralph told Fox Footy on Monday night.

“They extended his contract through to 2027 at the start of last year, they signed up for this path. But, he has no pay out clauses, not six-month clauses — nothing as a get-out clause.

“This is a football club that since 2010 has paid out $3.6 million to the likes of James Hird, Matthew Knights and Ben Rutten on payout clauses; a very costly business.”

In an eerily similar — yet vastly different — situation at Carlton, veteran journalist Caroline Wilson reports that there are notable signs the club is already preparing for a future beyond Voss.

“The club are painting a future for the public without Michael Voss. They’re the ones doing all the interviews at the moment, and that to me is the most ominous sign of all,” Wilson said on Seven.

“I feel that way (there is a one-month window). I don’t know who would take over as caretaker coach of the Carlton Football Club. At the moment, the most senior and favoured person there is new assistant Josh Fraser.

“I think the time has come. We know Craig McRae was approached, we also know that Graeme Wright has a history of going for non-high-profile coaches.”

Carlton’s next crack at redemption comes on Good Friday in their annual clash against North Melbourne, while Essendon takes on the Western Bulldogs on Sunday night.

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