Carlton coach Michael Voss believes contracts would be pointless if the AFL were to adopt Patrick Dangerfield’s radical idea for Tasmania to be able to poach contracted stars.
Speculation on what list concessions the new Tasmanian team – likely to enter the competition in 2028 – will receive have ramped up since the league awarded the state the 19th licence on Wednesday.
Carlton coach Michael Voss disagrees with Patrick Dangerfield’s idea for Tasmania’s list build.Credit: Getty Images
The AFL’s wish for Tasmania to be competitive far quicker than Gold Coast and GWS were was at the heart of AFL Players Association president Dangerfield’s proposal for one contracted player per club to be up for grabs.
“If we’re going to do this, and do this properly, then Tasmania should have access to not only the best talent, but the best possible people, in order to create something that’s truly unique and truly special,” Dangerfield told SEN.
“Quite clearly, generating a really strong culture is part of that, so I think having the ability to choose whoever you like, regardless of contract status, would be a really important part of that.”
The Blues are among the clubs to lock away their best players on long-term mega deals, but one of Coleman Medal-winning forwards Charlie Curnow (2029) or Harry McKay (2030) would be available to Tasmania under Dangerfield’s model.
“It’s pointless having contracts then. I would have thought contracted players are contracted players. If they’re available to be taken out of contract, then it’s fair game,” Voss said.
“But that’s the environment we live in. I would argue that under the current trading system that players who are contracted are still getting to the team they wish to go to, any way.
“As a footy club, we want players who are invested [and] want to be here, so we’re always mindful of that … [but] there’s always forgiveness, in terms of the expansion clubs getting the talent, because that’s what they need to be able to thrive.”
Patrick Dangerfield thinks Tasmania should have access to contracted players. Credit: Scott Barbour
Voss was hesitant to endorse signing more players on longer contracts beyond the Tasmanian team’s expected arrival but said, “they’re all things that we’ll have to consider and weigh up”.
“Clearly, those discussions are already being had. I think the more serious discussions now start to come just because it’s now been confirmed,” he said. “Until it’s real, you can’t really address those situations [and] once we start to get some rules around how they establish that list, then we can start to obviously pivot off that where we need to.”
Voss said any potential effects Tasmania’s inclusion would have on the other 18 teams were worth it because the AFL and clubs had the bigger picture in mind.
“We understand there’ll be an immediate impact, but we’re hoping that we get that generational change, and we hope … participation numbers go through the roof,” he said. “That’s just the investment we might need to make as an industry to be able to grow the game to another level.”
In Carlton-specific news, Tom De Koning won’t play at any level this weekend, as this masthead reported on Sunday, due to a concussion he sustained in the VFL. But Voss said De Koning missing games was unrelated to his contract decision.
The in-demand tall was managed a fortnight ago, then not selected for the senior side last week.
Carlton’s Tom De Koning is out of contract and in demand.Credit: AFL Photos
“I think they’re two different conversations. Clearly, it’s not ideal [that De Koning is out]. We don’t want to lose any player under those circumstances,” Voss said. “But you manage what’s in front of you, and three weeks ago, we felt like he needed to get that rest, and you can never predict when a concussion is going to come along.”
Voss said there were “a lot of assumptions and conclusions” being made about De Koning that underestimated “the professionalism of the player and our football club”.
“There are things he needs to develop in his game, and we have those conversations all the time,” he said.
“The right environment is to challenge where we need to challenge, and there’s a fight for spots – and I haven’t seen him not be up for that fight.
“He’s up for that. He wants to get the best out of himself, and we’re prepared to support him.”
Jesse Motlop is back from suspension for the Blues’ Friday night showdown with Brisbane at Marvel Stadium, with the Lions winning nine of the past 11 matches between the clubs. Brisbane will be without Dayne Zorko (hamstring) and Daniel Rich (calf).
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