AFL 2025: Carlton coach Michael Voss weighs in on trade talk surrounding trio of stars

Carlton coach Michael Voss has delivered his response to the trade speculation surrounding a trio of his stars.

Carlton coach Michael Voss says he’s stunned by the trade speculation surrounding some of the Blues’ “genuine assets”.

There were multiple reports clubs would target forwards Harry McKay and Charlie Curnow, as well as midfielder Sam Walsh, this off-season.

Curnow has booted 24 goals this year, while McKay, who missed several games for personal reasons, has kicked nine.

Walsh has played in each off the Blues’ 11 games but has been below his best.

The midfielder comes out of contract at the end of 2026.

Voss, who spent a part of Carlton’s bye holidaying overseas, detailed his shock when first asked about Walsh’s future at the club.

“Yeah, there was a bit of speculation about our boys over the last week or so, I nearly fell off my day bed in Fiji when I read some of it,” he said.

“It’s really difficult to answer a hypothetical question. I think these boys know how valuable they are to us as people and as players.”

Carlton coach Michael Voss says he nearly fell off his day bed when he read about recent trade speculation. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Voss shut down suggestions the Blues could part ways with one of their Coleman Medal winners at season’s end, insisting they’re a commodity rival coaches envy.

“All I would say on that is that they (McKay and Curnow) are extremely important to us and they have since my time here over four years” he said.

“I’m also fortunate enough to talk to a lot of opposition coaches and know both of them come up in conversation quite a lot.

“When you’ve got them together, they’re genuine assets, they can be distinctive assets for you and distinctive strengths.

“Talking as a coach, I love having them both out there, both playing in good form, I know how hard they are to play against, how much better we are when they’re both there.

“From our point of view, that makes it a bit of an easy decision when there’s any other speculation that comes with it.”

Graham Wright (centre) has unofficially started at Carlton. Pictures: Carlton FC

Carlton has welcomed new chief executive Graham Wright to shadow the outgoing Brian Cook before the official change over in October.

Voss said Wright had made his way to every department of the football club and had started to build relationships.

“We’ve got two seasoned leaders who are extremely experienced at what they do, from what I’ve seen the transition has been fantastic,” he said.

“I don’t really see too much of a negative on that.”

Originally published as AFL 2025: Carlton coach Michael Voss weighs in on trade talk surrounding trio of stars