David Teague has brushed off Robert Walls’ suggestion that Carlton might need a new coach if they don’t make the finals in 2021.
Entering his second full season in charge, Blues coach Teague is aiming to guide the club to a first finals appearance since 2013, with speedsters Adam Saad and Zac Williams arriving at Ikon Park last trade period.
Carlton great Walls told The Age: “If they made finals, they have got to continue with David Teague no doubt. But if they didn’t, they will probably have to cast the net and look at what’s about.
“This will be his third year. The team promises a lot but hasn’t delivered a lot the last few seasons, so it’s time.”
Teague was asked whether Walls’ comments worried him in any way or infiltrated his thinking approaching the season proper.
“He (Walls) has been down at the club a couple of years, I learnt a lot off him, so hopefully he’s taught me the right stuff,” Teague jokingly said on SEN Breakfast.
“We understand that we’ve got passionate supporters and we know that we haven’t delivered over the last 25 years and our club in the past have been used to success.
“But the game’s changed, equalisation has come in, and it’s hard to win premierships now.
“That’s where we’ve got to get back to, but we feel we’re building a club that’s going to have sustained success, and we’re really happy with where we’re at now.
“Right now, what I can control is having a really strong culture at the football club and really good people, and I feel we’ve got great people at our footy club.
“The way the players are going about their craft and their training intensity and work ethic gives me a lot of confidence that we’re in the right direction.
“We love the passion of our supporters; we can’t wait to play in front of them again."
Teague is contracted to coach Carlton until the end of 2022.
The Blues are preparing to face reigning premiers Richmond in the 2021 season-opening clash at the MCG on March 18.