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Hawks development coach still in Carlton contention
Sam Edmund • July 31st, 2026 9:01 am
Daniel Giansiracusa remains a chance to become Carlton’s next coach, with the race for the Blues’ top job more contested than reported.
It can be revealed that Giansiracusa has advanced to the final phase of the process despite being widely considered to have missed out.
Instead, Hawthorn’s development coach will soon formally present to Carlton’s coaching selection committee as one of at least four remaining candidates.
That group will become five if interim coach Josh Fraser accepts the Blues’ invite to run for the position.
Fremantle assistant Jaymie Graham, St Kilda’s Corey Enright, Geelong assistant James Kelly, Giansiracusa and Fraser are the contenders in line to replace Michael Voss at Ikon Park.
President Rob Priestley, chief executive Graham Wright, general manager of football Chris Davies and West Coast premiership coach Adam Simpson, in consultation with football director Greg Williams, have been charged with identifying the club’s next coach.
That panel is expected to commence formal presentations with the remaining contenders within the next week.
Giansiracusa last year left Essendon in an attempt to enhance his prospects of becoming an AFL senior coach.
The former Western Bulldogs midfielder was viewed as a genuine candidate for the Blues job back in 2021 behind Voss and has previously worked as an assistant under Luke Beveridge when the Dogs won the 2016 premiership, while also taking charge of that club’s VFL side.
At the Hawks he works as Sam Mitchell’s head of development.
Fraser, who has guided Carlton to a previously unthinkable 8-2 record in his 10 matches in charge, has been given a week by the Blues’ hierarchy to put his hand up for the job.
“It's not so much umming and aahing, I think it's just considering everything that comes with being a senior coach and being prepared to go through that process," Fraser said on Thursday.
"And I have got a high awareness of it and this (interim) opportunity has given me a chance to live it to a degree.
"But I want to make sure that if I go through a process, if I was to be successful, that I am ready to hit the ground running."
