Barker gets to audition
Carlton interim coach John Barker has been charged with one task for the rest of the season — making the embattled Blues competitive again.
Barker, 40, faces a baptism of fire when he takes the reins for the first time in a high-profile Friday night fixture against competition heavyweights Sydney at the SCG.
Carlton are on the bottom of the ladder with a 1-7 win-loss record after a string of heavy defeats, including beltings at the hands of Greater Western Sydney (78 points) and Geelong (77) in the past fortnight.
It is the Blues’ worst start to a season since 2002, when they won just three games and took the first wooden spoon in the club’s history.
That led to the sacking of coach Wayne Brittain.
Barker played 168 games in 13 seasons with Fitzroy, Brisbane Lions and Hawthorn before turning his hand to coaching.
He served as an assistant to Ross Lyon at St Kilda in 2007-08 and returned to the Hawks alongside Alastair Clarkson for the 2009-10 seasons before moving to Carlton in 2011.
Before being given the interim role, Barker was in his second year as the Blues’ back-line coach under Mick Malthouse, who was sacked in dramatic fashion yesterday.
Carlton president Mark LoGiudice gave Barker a strong endorsement and said he would be well supported in his new role.
“I am confident that his strong leadership and respectful relationship with the playing group will ensure he steps into the role seamlessly,” LoGiudice said.
“He will be aided by the experience of Rob Wiley and Dean Laidley, who will continue to fulfil their current roles, along with our other assistant coaches.
“John will nurture our younger talent and give them a chance to shine, while balancing their skills with the experience of our more senior players.”
Barker has previously indicated his desire to become a full-time senior coach and is completing his level four AFL senior coaching accreditation.
He was one of only nine assistant coaches across the competition to be selected for the two-year program.
Barker will use the interim role as an audition for the full-time job at Carlton.
LoGiudice said the club would conduct an extensive search for the next full-time coach and would bring together a selection advisory committee in the near future.
The appointee will be given a long-term contract with an eye towards rebuilding the playing list.
Carlton chief executive Steven Trigg said the club had no preference for a rookie or experienced coach.
“I don’t want us to close our mind to anything,” Trigg said.
“We need to be really methodical in the way we lay out our needs and then attack it.
“But that doesn’t mean it’s young, it’s old, it’s experienced or any of that.
“Let’s open up the mind and see what’s out there.”
