AFL 2025: Carlton coach Michael Voss says father-son rule should stay as it is after call for it to be scrapped

As Carlton snared a commitment from the son of a former star coach Michael Voss had his say on the father-son rule after a rival club called for it be scrapped.

Carlton coach Michael Voss isn’t sure the AFL community could handle the “fuss” around an early decision from players like Tom De Koning about changing clubs as he reiterated a forward move for the big man was not related to his potential move to St Kilda.

Voss also declared the father-son rule should be protected at all costs after one club CEO called for it to be scrapped, after landing the signature of former gun Andrew Walker’s son, Cody in a positive sign for the Blues after a season full of battles.

De Koning’s future has been a topic of each of Voss’s weekly press conferences this season which has progressed without a signature from the 25-year-old amid mounting speculation he’ll accept a monster $12m offer from the Saints.

Tom De Koning’s pending future has no link to his form, according to Michael Voss. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Unlike their NRL rivals, player movement is restricted until after the season with clubs and players reticent to make moves, however likely, public.

Voss said clubs could probably handle mid-season decisions, but the media and wider football community might not.

“I think with anything we’d make a fuss about it, wouldn’t we? I’ve learned enough around who’s leaving, who’s going and the points of topic,” he joked on Friday.

“I think as an industry it is probably more something we need to ask the question of how you (the media) would handle it more so than how we would handle it.

“The most important thing is that what the player wants is just to continue to get on with it. The topic of conversation is more for everyone else, but it’s not for us.

“In time, we’ll obviously get what that decision is. We’re quite happy with where it is at this point in time, so when we’re ready we’ll obviously deal with it.”

Voss denied a change in role and subsequent dip in form for De Koning, from ruck to forward, was connected to his contract call and only what was best for the Blues.

“We need a role to play and he’s really determined to get that done, so the discussion around it is for other people to talk about,” he said.

Cody Walker (left) with future teammate Charlie Curnow. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

Carlton received a late-season boost on Friday morning with a commitment from Cody Walker, projected as a potential top-10 draft pick in the 2026 draft and who is also in the Richmond academy, giving the Blues access to him under the father-son rule.

The Blues already have Ben and Lucas Camporeale, son of former star Scott, as well as Jack Silvagni, the son of club legend Stephen, on their list.

It comes after Fremantle CEO, Simon Garlick, suggested the rule no longer had a place in the game and should be scrapped.

Voss didn’t support that idea at all.

“The father-son rule should stay with how it currently sits,” Voss said.

“There’s some things that we need to continue around the history of the game and the traditions of the game, and this is one of them.

“I’d understand if there’s probably a further conversation around what academies look like in general.

“But when it comes to the father and sons, that’s been a tradition that’s stood the test of time, and should continue to do so.

Originally published as AFL 2025: Carlton coach Michael Voss says father-son rule should stay as it is after call for it to be scrapped