THIS TIME WE WON’T MAKE THE SAME MISTAKES

Carlton head coach Michael Voss has issued a bold declaration ahead of his team’s Round 9 showdown with the Brisbane Lions, stating that this time his side will not repeat the mistakes that led to an embarrassing five-game losing streak. Speaking at a pre-match press conference, Voss emphasized that the Blues had learned valuable lessons from their recent poor form and were determined to turn the page on what has been a frustrating period for the club.

The five-game losing streak came as a bitter blow to Carlton supporters who had high hopes following a promising start to the 2026 AFL season. After securing early victories that showcased their attacking potential and improved fitness levels, the team inexplicably lost their way. The run of defeats included a narrow loss to the Western Bulldogs where they failed to close out the game despite leading late, a disappointing effort against the Gold Coast Suns marred by inaccurate kicking for goal, and more comprehensive losses to Port Adelaide, Fremantle, and St Kilda that highlighted systemic issues in their game plan.

Key statistics painted a grim picture: the team’s disposal efficiency plummeted to below 73 percent during the streak, contested possession numbers were down, and they conceded an average of 12 more inside 50s per game than their opponents. Voss admitted the losses had been “tough to swallow” but insisted they had served as a catalyst for positive change.

“We sat down as a group and went through every single game, every single mistake,” Voss told reporters. “From poor decision-making with the ball in hand到 not applying enough pressure when we didn’t have it, we’ve identified the problems and worked hard to fix them. The players are motivated, they’re hungry, and this time we won’t make the same mistakes. Brisbane is a great team, but we’re ready for the challenge and we’ll be playing our best football come Saturday night.”

The coach’s words were intended to project confidence and unity within the Carlton camp. However, the sentiment was quickly challenged in dramatic fashion. Just five minutes after Voss concluded his media obligations, Brisbane star Josh Dunkley provided a stinging response that has since gone viral across social media and football forums. During a light-hearted segment with AFL broadcasters while the Lions conducted their final training session, Dunkley was asked for his thoughts on the Carlton coach’s comments. With a confident smile, the 26-year-old midfielder mocked the statement directly.

“Yeah, ‘this time we won’t make the same mistakes?’ Mate, that’s what every struggling team says,” Dunkley said with a laugh. “We’ve heard it all before from plenty of sides. Vossy’s a legend of the game, no doubt, but his boys have been making those mistakes for five weeks straight. If they rock up with the same stuff, we’ll punish them like we have been all year. Talk doesn’t win you games; execution does.”

The comment, delivered in Dunkley’s typically blunt and competitive style, did not go unnoticed in the Carlton rooms. Upon being informed of the remarks by a member of his support staff who had seen the clip, Voss was reportedly enraged. Witnesses described the usually composed coach as visibly upset, his jaw clenched as he processed the perceived slight from the opposition player. While he avoided a public outburst, those close to the situation revealed that Voss immediately gathered his players and used the incident to fire them up, reminding them that external noise only served to strengthen their resolve.

“Josh is a good player and a competitor, but he doesn’t know what we’ve been through or what we’ve prepared,” Voss is understood to have told the group. “This only makes us more determined. We don’t need validation from anyone else. On the field, we’ll show everyone exactly what we’ve learned.”

The psychological warfare has added significant spice to the upcoming encounter, which looms as a must-win for Carlton if they are to maintain any realistic chance of playing finals football this year. Currently positioned on the cusp of the top eight, the Blues cannot afford another setback, particularly against a Brisbane side that has been in scintillating form. The Lions, coached by Chris Fagan, sit inside the top four and have demonstrated a ruthless ability to capitalize on opponents’ errors, much like the ones Carlton have been guilty of recently.

Dunkley himself has been in outstanding touch, leading the competition in several key midfield metrics and providing the drive that has propelled Brisbane’s transition game.

Voss’s intimate knowledge of the Lions, stemming from his illustrious playing career where he captained them to three consecutive premierships between 2001 and 2003, offers a unique perspective. He has used that insight to tailor Carlton’s defensive structures and attacking patterns specifically to counter Brisbane’s strengths, such as their elite clearance work and forward pressure. “I know what makes them tick because I was part of it for so long,” Voss reflected. “But times change, and we’ve evolved our own game too. This week is about executing our plan without the lapses that cost us before.”

The match at Marvel Stadium is expected to be a high-intensity affair, with both teams boasting star-studded line-ups. For Carlton, the likes of Patrick Cripps in the ruck and midfield, along with dynamic forwards Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay, will need to stand up if they are to overcome the Lions’ formidable defense anchored by players like Harris Andrews and Brandon Starcevich. Brisbane’s attack, featuring the experienced Joe Daniher and the emerging talents in their forward line, will look to exploit any turnovers from Carlton’s back six.

Beyond the on-field battle, the incident has sparked debate among pundits and fans about the role of mind games in modern AFL. Some argue that Dunkley’s comments were harmless banter designed to unsettle an opponent, while others see it as unnecessary provocation that could backfire spectacularly if Carlton rises to the occasion. Either way, it has ensured that this Round 9 fixture will be one of the most talked-about games of the season so far.

As the two teams finalize their preparations, the focus remains squarely on delivering when it counts. For Michael Voss and his Carlton side, the opportunity to prove their coach right and silence the critics, including those from within the Brisbane camp, is a powerful motivator. For Josh Dunkley and the Lions, it is a chance to back up their words with actions and continue their march towards September action. In a sport where small margins separate success from failure, avoiding those “same mistakes” could be the difference between a season of regret and one of redemption.

The stage is set for a compelling contest that promises fireworks both on and off the field. Ultimately, the true test will come when the siren sounds and the ball is bounced, rendering all pre-game rhetoric secondary to the 120 minutes of intense action that will follow.