CARLTON interim Josh Fraser has officially elected to enter the process to become the club's next full-time senior coach.
Fraser informed Blues officials earlier this week that he would vie to win the role permanently, having remarkably steered the Blues back into the finals picture with 10 wins from 12 games as caretaker.
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Carlton approached Fraser about his interest in applying for the job late last month, but the Blues interim had been cautious to throw his hat into the ring.
However, having helped the club solidify its place in the wildcard spots with a victory over St Kilda on Sunday night, Fraser will now formally meet with Carlton powerbrokers to try to win the position full-time from 2027.
Fraser will join a five-person shortlist to replace Michael Voss as the Blues' next permanent head coach.
St Kilda assistant Corey Enright, Geelong assistant James Kelly, Fremantle assistant Jaymie Graham and Hawthorn's head of development Daniel Giansiracusa are among the fellow candidates.
Fraser had initially ruled out going for the job when he replaced Voss as caretaker in May, but momentum has steadily built for the former Collingwood and Gold Coast ruck to apply for the position following the side's incredible turnaround.
The Blues were 1-8 when Voss departed, but now sit 11-10 and are two games clear in the race for a top 10 spot with just two games remaining in the season.
It means Carlton can secure the most unlikely of finals berths should they defeat either the Western Bulldogs or Fremantle in the final fortnight of the home and away campaign.
Fraser has previously held senior coaching roles at NEAFL level with Gold Coast and VFL level with Carlton and Collingwood, rejoining the Blues as an assistant under Voss ahead of this season.
He was previously a 218-game player at both the Pies and the Suns.