Sam Docherty Dropped from Carlton Function After Critical Comments on Blues’ Game Style

Sam Docherty, recently retired Carlton defender, will not be appearing at a scheduled club function this Thursday night at the MCG following the release of strongly worded criticism of the team’s performance in their opening round loss to the Sydney Swans. The withdrawal comes after a voice message from Docherty, detailing his frustrations with the Blues’ game style, was broadcast on a podcast.

Docherty, who played 171 games for Carlton before retiring at the end of last season, was slated to speak at a pre-match function ahead of the Blues’ clash with Richmond. However, the club and Docherty mutually agreed to his absence, according to a statement released by Carlton CEO Graham Wright. “We made a decision based off supporting our own people internally,” Wright told Channel Nine’s Footy Classified on Monday night, indicating a desire to manage the situation privately.

The controversy stems from a voice message Docherty sent to former teammate Daniel Gorringe, which Gorringe then played on his “Dan Does Footy” podcast. In the message, Docherty delivered a scathing assessment of Carlton’s performance against Sydney, particularly their struggles when the game’s tempo shifted. “Exactly what happened again last night, is the same s**t that happens in every other game,” Docherty said in the recording. He went on to describe a pattern where Carlton performs well in contested situations but “falls to pieces” when opponents gain momentum and the game opens up.

Docherty’s critique was particularly pointed regarding Carlton’s midfield. “They get under pressure, they can’t get a hold of the ball and they’re just an absolute f***ing sh**show,” he stated. He further elaborated that Carlton’s struggles in more open play are a recurring issue. “Essentially, because the game gets somewhat slower and there’s more open brand footy, that’s when Carlton is f***ing horrible. Basically, you smack our mids again this year and we’ll be f***ed, going off last night.”

Following the broadcast, Docherty clarified that he did not intend for the message to be aired publicly. He explained on 3AW radio that he believed he was simply providing Gorringe with a recap of his thoughts for a private conversation. “I sent (Gorringe) a recap of my thoughts from the game last night which I thought was guiding a conversation, but I didn’t consider was getting used verbatim,” he said. He acknowledged the strong language used in the message and apologized for the expletives, but maintained that his concerns about the team’s performance are valid and have been building for some time.

“It is what it is. Fairly strong comments in the end with what was released on the podcast, but I stand by the thoughts of what I was talking about because I’ve been talking about it all of the back end of last year and some of last night. But I do require to apologise to everyone for the expletives used throughout,” Docherty stated. He also emphasized his close relationship with Gorringe and understanding of the podcast’s format, which often features candid conversations.

The incident highlights the intense scrutiny faced by AFL clubs and players, even after retirement. Docherty’s frank assessment, while delivered privately, quickly became public, forcing both the club and the former captain to address the situation. Carlton’s decision to withdraw Docherty from the function suggests a desire to contain the fallout and avoid further distraction ahead of their match against Richmond. The club’s statement, emphasizing internal support, indicates a focus on addressing the issues raised by Docherty within the team environment.

Docherty’s comments raise questions about Carlton’s ability to adapt to different game styles and their reliance on contested football. The Blues’ struggles in open play, as highlighted by Docherty, could be a key area of focus for coach Michael Voss and his coaching staff. The team’s midfield, specifically, appears to be under pressure to improve their performance when faced with more skilled and mobile opponents.

The timing of Docherty’s criticism is particularly sensitive, coming after a disappointing opening round loss to a premiership contender. The Swans exposed vulnerabilities in Carlton’s game plan, and Docherty’s comments amplify those concerns. The Blues will be eager to respond positively on the field against Richmond, demonstrating their ability to address the issues raised by their former captain and commence their season with a win.

While Carlton has stated Docherty will be welcomed back to the club in the future, the immediate aftermath of this incident underscores the challenges of navigating honest feedback, particularly when it becomes public. The club’s priority now is to focus on preparing for their upcoming match and addressing the underlying issues that prompted Docherty’s criticism, aiming to silence the concerns both on and off the field.