Sam Docherty Removed from Carlton Function Following Critical Comments

Former Carlton co-captain Sam Docherty has been withdrawn from an upcoming club function after publicly criticizing the team’s performance following their heavy defeat to the Sydney Swans in Round 1 of the 2026 AFL season. The move comes after Docherty’s expletive-laden assessment of the Blues’ game style was aired on the Dan Does Footy podcast.

Docherty’s Criticism

Docherty, who retired from the AFL at the end of the previous season after 171 games with Carlton, described his former team as a “f***ing s***demonstrate” when their game becomes more open. He voiced concerns about the team’s ability to maintain composure and skill when faced with a less contested style of play. He specifically highlighted the team’s struggles when opponents gain momentum in the contest, leading to breakdowns in ball control and overall performance. Source

Carlton’s Response

In response to Docherty’s comments, Carlton CEO Graham Wright stated the decision to remove him from the function was made to prioritize supporting the current team internally. Source The club has indicated that Docherty will be welcomed back to future events, but the immediate removal signals a firm stance against public criticism of the team. Source

Further Action and Coach Voss’s Stance

The fallout extends beyond the single function, with reports suggesting Docherty will not be involved in any official capacity with the club until at least Round 6, which features a match against Collingwood for the Peter Mac Cup – a charity Docherty is involved with. Source

Carlton coach Michael Voss has downplayed the significance of the situation, stating he hadn’t given it “a hell of a lot of thought.” Voss emphasized the importance of focusing on the “new” direction of the club and avoiding distractions from the past. He also indicated he would not be reaching out to Docherty to avoid further fueling the controversy. Source

Gorringe’s Role and Docherty’s Apology

The controversy originated when Daniel Gorringe, a former teammate of Docherty and host of the Dan Does Footy podcast, aired a private voice message from Docherty without his consent. Docherty later apologized for the use of profanity but maintained the validity of his footballing assessment. Source

Other AFL News

In other AFL news, the league has confirmed a 30-second extension to quarter and three-quarter-time breaks for all games to provide consistency for broadcasters. Source Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick revealed that young player Bailey Humphrey had considered returning to Victoria during the off-season but ultimately decided to remain with the Suns. Source