Michael Voss calls for AFL rule to remain after teen ace chooses Carlton over Richmond

Yahoo

6 days ago

Carlton coach Michael Voss has called for the AFL to keep the father-son rule in the draft after future talent Cody Walker nominated the Blues a year before he is eligible to be drafted. Carlton have endured a tough year sitting 20 points out of finals contention with just a handful of games to go.
Voss is under plenty of pressure at the club with the team's performances dipping this season. While the season has been tough on the fans, there was some excitement with Walker informing the club he intends to join them in the 2026 draft.
This is a huge win for the club with Walker's father, Andrew, playing 202 games for Carlton between 2004 and 2016. Walker is considered a future star of the competition having starred for Vic Country in this year's national championships.
This only further cemented his case as a potential No.1 pick next year. Walker is also eligible to join Richmond as part of their Next Generation Academy due to his Indigenous heritage, but appears to have chosen Carlton where his dad played.
And while Walker was free to choose Carlton, Voss feels the divisive father-son rule should remain as part of the sport. Walker will now join Ben and Lucas Camporeale, the sons of Scott, on Carlton's list for 2027 making it three father-son players.
"The father-son rule should stay with how it currently sits," Voss said ahead of their game against Melbourne on Saturday. "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.
"Whether that evolves over time and what you ultimately end up paying for that, probably is a continued conversation, but where teams can get and clubs get access to their father-son, father-daughters, should always be made available."
The rule has caused division in recent years with some clubs benefitting from it more than others. Arguably the best player in the game, Nick Daicos, was brought into Collingwood's roster in 2021 as part of father-son draft rule with his father Peter playing the for club. Collingwood have gone on to win a premiership with Daicos a huge part of the winning side.
The Brisbane Lions have signed Will Ashcroft, Levi Ashcroft and Jaspa Fletcher as part of the rule. However, teams who don't have the historical background of the traditional clubs are at a natural disadvantage. Fremantle being one of them. And Speaking on Thursday, Fremantle CEO Simon Garlick hit out at the rule.
Fremantle CEO calls for change to father-son rule
Speaking about the rule on SEN Radio, Garlick claimed the draft is meant to be an equaliser for the competition but has skewed the competition. When Kane Cornes asked him if he thinks the rule has a place in the game, he responded: "No, I don't.
'I think the draft is the most critical equalisation measure in the game. I understand that we're going to have some concessions that are provided with it. We want to encourage the game in the northern markets and we're supportive of that. We want to make sure we reach this people who might not necessarily play the game at a regular level.'
He then doubled down on his view and claimed the rule doesn't have a place in the game. 'The father-son is just potluck,' he added. 'So from my perspective I just think when you've got players the like of the Ashcrofts, Sam Darcy - they're generational players and we're all working towards trying to win flags by building great cultures, attracting and retaining talent, and doing things on an even playing field.
'It's one that I don't see as having a place in the contemporary game, albeit understanding it's lovely from a historical perspective and the culture of the game. I get that. But it just doesn't feel right to me.'