‘S*** time, says axed assistant

SACKED Northern Blues coach Josh Fraser says he is shattered at the demise of his football club and worried for the dozens of assistant coaches likely to be put out of work.

The former Gold Coast ruckman was told on Tuesday that he would be terminated by Carlton as it cut ties with VFL affiliate the Northern Blues in a desperate attempt to cut costs.

One of the nearly 200 AFL assistants stood down without pay, the former No.1 draft pick will need to find a way to support his young family.

“It is a s*** time but there is always someone doing it tougher,” Fraser said.

“It’s a big thing to have something you love taken away from you, and for me that was the connection and affiliation with the Northern Blues.

“But unfortunately that’s the landscape at the moment.

“Everyone is doing it tough and many tougher than me, so hopefully we can all get through it together.

“So many coaches have been stood down and as much as I hope there is a job for them to go back to, there is a level of uncertainty about that.

“It’s a really challenging environment, not just in footy but in all walks of life.”

Fraser (pictured) played 218 games – 200 at Collingwood and then 18 at Gold Coast.

“I have got a young family and a mortgage and bills, and the farm back in Mansfield needs a financial commitment as well,” he said.

“I can’t and won’t sit on my hands for too long and will be actively trying to find work.

“That’s just what it is but I am in the same position as so many others.”