Carlton is looking more and more likely to lose free agent pair Tom De Koning and Jack Silvagni, but new chief Graham Wright has suggested they will not be moving on a star player, despite rumours.
The club’s ‘big five’ of Patrick Cripps, Charlie Curnow, Harry McKay, Sam Walsh and Jacob Weitering are all on big money and rumours have swirled regarding whether the Blues would trade one for cap flexibility and draft capital.
Curnow was linked to a move outside of Melbourne, particularly to the Gold Coast.
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However, Wright dismissed that suggestion in his first in-depth chat as Carlton CEO.
Charlie Curnow of the Blues celebrates kicking a goal. Getty
“I keep hearing the rumours like you do,” Wright told SEN.
“I spoke to Charlie this morning and he’s a week into his recovery from minor knee surgery. He’s planning on a little bit of a break then coming back and hitting pre-season.
“I don’t think that’s an issue. Charlie came out himself and said that, so more rumour than anything else.”
TDK’S STANDOFF ‘NOT A GREAT SIGN’
Tom De Koning of the Blues. Getty
Before the season started, Tom De Koning’s contract was the big talking point.
St Kilda had come in with a mammoth offer that sits at the $1.7 million a year mark. Carlton’s offer doesn’t match that figure and AFL fans haven’t been given a clear indication of where De Koning will go.
However, the expectation is the money will be too good to refuse.
Wright said he’s unsure where that sits.
“He’s had a contract in front of him from us for a long time and hasn’t signed it, and we all know that’s not a great sign,” he said.
“What I can say is Tom has turned up to work every day with a smile on his face and absolutely given his all to this club and this team.
“Free agency doesn’t open until October so I would presume that if he’s looking to make a move somewhere between the end of the season and October we’ll get some kind of answer form him.
“At this stage it’s a worry obviously, but you never say never.”
THE ICONIC BLUES NAME THAT COULD BE IN RIVAL COLOURS
Jack Silvagni’s contract situation heated up in recent weeks when Collingwood coach Craig McRae revealed he’d met with the Blues star.
He said he’d like a “second date”.
Silvagni is a third-generation Carlton footballer after his father Stephen and grandfather Sergio played for the club.
To see him in rival colours would be a major blow. Silvagni has also reportedly met with Essendon.
Wright confirmed a contract has been put to Silvagni for a significant period of time.
“Jack is a little bit the same (as De Koning), he’s had a contract in front of him since round 13-14 and I think it’s been open out there that’s been a four-year deal put forward for Jack,” he said.
“I’m really clear about free agents being free agents – they have every right to explore and we have no issue with Jack exploring. We’d like him to sign and be here with us, absolutely.
“Finishing his career with the Carlton Football Club is what we’d love but that’s a decision for Jack and his management.”
IS VOSS THE BOSS?
Michael Voss speaks to media at Ikon Park. Eddie Jim
A conversation about the Blues can’t go ahead without mention of Michael Voss.
The coach is under pressure to deliver results but has the backing of Wright into the 2026 season.
Nine’s Sam McClure claimed on Footy Classified this week that Carlton had discussions with a rival coach about replacing Voss, but were rejected. The Blues deny that happened.
Wright was open about the period where the club assessed its direction going forward before confirming Voss would stay on.
“Across the last six or seven weeks we were having a number of conversations with a whole range of different people in footy, looking at everything around our game and the way we play and what we value,” Wright said.
“So going across the board with our player leadership group and some other players as well around where we’re going and how we’re going to get there, it was pretty unanimous that this is a collective, not just Michael, that we’re looking at and needing to improve.
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“Once we’d got all of that information and all the data, I put forward a recommendation to the board last week that we stay with Michael. In essence he’s contracted for next year so it wasn’t like we were making anything outrageous in relation to decision-making.
“It’s what was the right decision for the footy club and how do we go forward and get better, and Vossy is our man. He’ll lead us into next year.”