No Joshing: Draw confirms Carlton’s stunning run to AFL finals after parting ways with Voss

A heart-stopping draw after a second-half arm wrestle with the Western Bulldogs has secured Carlton a wildcard berth and continued their unlikely revival under interim coach Josh Fraser.The Blues had one win from nine matches when Fraser took over in May after the club parted ways with Michael Voss. The 12.10 (82) deadlock at Marvel Stadium on Sunday means Carlton have 10 wins and a draw from 13 matches with the former Collingwood and Gold Coast ruckman in the coaches’ box.All square: The Bulldogs and Blues played out a draw.Getty ImagesA Francis Evans snap at goal levelled the scores with about three minutes left, setting the scene for a thrilling climax.Neither team scored again, with Bulldogs star Ed Richards pinged for running too far as he threatened to drive his side inside 50 with barely 90 seconds to go.The result not only locks Carlton into September action, but ends St Kilda’s and Greater Western Sydney’s finals hopes with one round left in the season.Ex-Swan Will Hayward lodged a mark-of-the-year contender with a skyscraping effort where his knees ended up on Bulldog Ryley Sanders’ shoulders in the third term – followed by a goal that tied the scores – but injured his right ankle in doing so, and took no further part.Fraser only days earlier finally threw his hat in the ring to be Carlton’s next senior coach, including presenting to the selection panel, and every win heightens his chances of being Voss’ permanent replacement.The 44-year-old has been at pains to avoid the club’s second-half surge being about him, but the Blues’ stunning transformation is intrinsically linked to him.Patrick Cripps, Sam Walsh, Blake Acres and George Hewett all won at least 30 disposals for Carlton, while Hayward slotted three goals from 14 disposals before exiting the contest.Richards was the Dogs’ standout with 31 touches and two goals, the second of them a brilliant effort on the run in the last term – after receiving a handball from Aaron Naughton – that briefly put Luke Beveridge’s men eight points up.The Bulldogs played without Marcus Bontempelli, who sat out as he manages an Achilles issue, knowing they were already assured of a wildcard spot.More to comeMore:AFL 2026Carlton BluesWestern BulldogsMichael VossFrom our partners