Josh Fraser has been named the Blues' new full-time AFL coach.<\/p>\n
Josh Fraser has been appointed full-time coach of Carlton after reviving the club's AFL season.<\/p>\n
Since becoming interim coach, the Blues have had 10 wins and one draw from 13 matches.<\/p>\n
Carlton faces ladder-leaders Fremantle in the final home and away round, before the wildcard weekend.<\/p>\n
Carlton chief executive Graham Wright insists Josh Fraser's presentation alone would have been enough to guarantee his appointment as senior coach.<\/p>\n
After a fairytale rise from 1-8 when Michael Voss exited as coach, Fraser was the unanimous choice to steer the Blues forward.<\/p>\n
The former Collingwood and Gold Coast ruckman has won 10 of 13 games to guide Carlton into the most unlikely of finals appearances.<\/p>\n
Sunday's draw against the Western Bulldogs sealed Carlton's spot in the top 10, with the club's board meeting to finalise Fraser's appointment on Monday.<\/p>\n
The results gave him the edge on untried assistants Jaymie Graham (Fremantle), Corey Enright (St Kilda) and James Kelly (Geelong), who all loomed strongly and presented to the coaching panel before Fraser did.<\/p>\n
"Even if you removed the last 14 weeks, on his presentation alone Josh would have been the successful candidate," Wright said.<\/p>\n
"Having run all candidates through a thorough and detailed process, for Josh to have emerged as the stand-out candidate speaks volumes of not only his credentials as a coach, but also the qualities he brings as a leader.<\/p>\n
"He is a respectful whole-of-club leader who fosters a professional and united environment, with everyone contributing to our collective pursuit of excellence."<\/p>\n
Even though he spent the majority of his playing career at the Magpies, Fraser's coaching journey has been largely at the old enemy.<\/p>\n
The 44-year-old has had two stints as an assistant coach at Carlton, while also leading the club's VFL team.<\/p>\n
When becoming interim coach, Fraser immediately ruled himself out of contention to stay in the role next year as a way to take pressure off the club.<\/p>\n