AFL 2026: Josh Fraser press conference, Carlton Blues coach search process, Sam Mitchell on Calsher Dear, latest news

Josh Fraser has revealed the latest step in his decision-making process regarding Carlton's vacant senior coach job.

Meanwhile, Sam Mitchell has made an admission regarding the speculation surrounding Calsher Dear. Read on in AFL Daily.

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FRASER LATEST IN BLUES SEARCH

Josh Fraser says he'll "have a discussion with the club next week" about his Carlton coaching aspirations.

It comes a week after Fraser's father sadly passed, with the club's decision-makers affording the interim coach more time to make a call.

At his weekly press conference on Friday morning, Fraser was asked off the top about whether he'd made a decision on entering the Blues' process.

"The club's given me some time, which I appreciate, given what the last week has entailed," he told reporters at Princes Park.

"Most of my thinking this week has been around the Saints; I'll have a discussion with the club next week."

Probed on what he's looking to sort out in his mind in that time, Fraser responded: "Probably some conversations with different people, just to get the full context of what the job entails.

"I feel like I've got a pretty good handle on all that, but if you're in, you're all in.

"So, I want to make sure if it was something I was committed to going through a process that I'm all in on that.

"And I'm getting close to a decision."

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Fraser was also asked about whether it was a consideration of the duties beyond simply coaching the team that had given him cause for pause.

"I think I'm in a fortunate position where I've got an awareness of all those things, and I can take some time to actually get some more information around all that, where that sits, (how) time impacts family and all those things," he said.

"I'd love to think it's as simple as just saying 'yeah, I'm all in' - and I've spoken previously (about) that I'm very ambitious about being a senior coach.

"It's now the opportunity for me to take all the information on board, and if I put my hand up, then I am all in. It's been a considered approach in that way.

"If I don't put my hand up, there'll be a reason for that."

Fraser noted the "huge responsibility" of being a senior coach was "not lost" on him, as he continues to navigate his situation.

"I think I'd be doing a disservice to a process if I wasn't making the decision based on all the information I could gather," he added.

"So, it'll be the conversations (with people), it'll be maybe reaffirming some things that I already think, maybe it'll be some of the conversations getting me to think in a slightly different way about it.

"But I'm nearing a decision on it all."

MITCH'S ADMISSION OVER YOUNG HAWK

Newly-re-signed Hawks coach Sam Mitchell has shed new light on Calsher Dear's development amid significant rival trade interest.

Mitchell on Friday was questioned on the future of emerging key forward Dear, who remains out of contract and unable to break into the senior side.

Last weekend, first-year forward Aidan Schubert came into the lineup as the preferred replacement for Mitch Lewis.

The 21-year-old Dear, who has played just five AFL games this year due to a crowded Hawthorn forward line, has an offer from the Hawks on the table amid interest from Melbourne, Geelong, Carlton, Collingwood and St Kilda.

"I saw him in a Melbourne jumper; that made me feel uncomfortable during the week, I must admit," Mitchell told SEN's Fireball.

"We get along; we've had good chats all through this process. Understandably, contract-wise it's taken a bit longer because he obviously wanted to get into the side and show what he could do.

"And that hasn't come to fruition just yet, but there's contracts there and talks there, so still very hopeful.

"But this is a tricky time of the year for everyone, so understand that ... who knows what will happen?

"But we've had very open communication about all these things. Box Hill have a bye this week, unfortunately, but his form in the past month has been exactly what we're after, so expect to see him."

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Orijinal haber: https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-2026-josh-fraser-press-conference-carlton-blues-coach-search-process-sam-mitchell-on-calsher-dear-latest-news/news-story/d4f12138438a2759f30145ff8e375519