Michael Voss’s critique of the team’s performance and Sam Walsh’s reflections on the elimination final loss to Brisbane underscore the Blues’ struggles this season and their need for improvement. Voss’s feedback appears to have been a mix of direct assessment and motivational push, aiming to ignite a drive for better performance in 2025.
Walsh emphasized that the start of the game was disappointing and that the team’s inability to match the Lions’ intensity was a significant issue. Despite injuries and changes, Walsh and Docherty both agreed that the team’s inconsistency and lack of pressure were key problems.
Walsh’s focus on maintaining the team’s brand and learning from their experiences highlights the need for growth and adaptation. His assessment that the loss reflected the broader issues of the season points to a need for a more consistent and resilient approach in the future.
For Docherty, the season’s challenges have been compounded by personal setbacks and a struggle with inconsistency. His balanced view acknowledges both the team’s efforts and the areas needing improvement, setting the stage for a more focused off-season.
Both players’ reflections suggest that the Blues will need to address these issues thoroughly in the off-season to build a stronger, more resilient team for the next year.
No one has experienced a wilder ride this season than Docherty, who faced his third ACL rupture in the opening round against the same opponent and at the same venue. The fact that Docherty managed to return to play in the elimination game was almost miraculous, especially considering the larger hurdles he has faced in his life, including a serious battle with testicular cancer.
“My life has taught me many things, but one of the main lessons is not to worry about the things that don’t matter,” Docherty reflected after his team’s season ended.
While the loss was deeply felt, as evident from his demeanor, Docherty’s focus was not on the fear of another knee injury during a crucial match.
“It’s been a strange year,” Docherty said. “I’m proud to have been able to get out there and play. I treasure every game I can participate in. I’ve had many taken away from me, and strangely, a bit of odd preparation feels somewhat ingrained in me.
“Having gone through this a few times, I’ve learned that stressing over potential issues is a waste of energy. I wasn’t aiming to be the standout performer; I just wanted to contribute.”
He did just that, recording 16 disposals and maintaining his composure while others around him were losing theirs in the first half.
However, after putting in the effort to return and play during the critical end of the season, Docherty acknowledged that both he and his club need to “go back to the drawing board.”
“I think tonight represents our season well. Overall, we’ve been very inconsistent in our performance throughout the season, and tonight was no different in terms of what we were trying to achieve and implement.”
Docherty’s reflections underscore the complexity and challenges of his season. His focus on the team’s need to close gaps and maintain consistency highlights the key factors in their performance.
“We have full belief in the group and in what we’re trying to achieve. We know it’s effective in big games, as shown this year and last. However, the past few years have illustrated the gap we need to close. We’re aware of what needs to be done.
“It’s about consistently implementing our habits and behaviors over games, blocks of games, and seasons. That’s the difference between the top teams and those trailing behind.”
Docherty noted that Carlton’s strengths, particularly in stoppages, were effectively neutralized by their opponents.
“They beat us comprehensively in an area we pride ourselves on. They were extremely good in contests, winning territory out of center bounces and contests in their forward and our back half. We didn’t manage to match them in those aspects, which is frustrating.”
He also acknowledged the impact of limited preparation on the team’s performance.
“I didn’t play for most of the year, and many other players were in and out, which affected our continuity. It felt familiar in a sad way, and unfortunately, things didn’t go as hoped. But I’m grateful to have been able to play AFL footy again.
“It’s back to the drawing board now. I’ll prepare for pre-season and get ready to make an impact. The effort and hours I’ve put in this year have been significant, so I need a good rest and mental refresh. ACL recovery usually takes 12 months, so technically, I’ve got about six months of rehab to go.”
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