Carlton coach Michael Voss has spoken on his bemusement when being alerted to recent trade speculation surrounding star trio Sam Walsh, Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay.
Walsh's name has been flagged as a potential target for a handful of Victorian clubs, who could make a play for the midfielder a year prior to him hitting free agency.
The former No.1 pick's contract will end at the end of the 2026 campaign, with clubs then able to attempt to secure Walsh's services, potentially without having to give up any trade capital.
Further speculation surrounding Coleman Medal-winning pair Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay was also rekindled in the past week, suggesting the Blues could be open to parting with one of their key forwards.
Quizzed on recent trade murmurs, particularly on rumours surrounding Walsh, Voss said he won't deal in hypotheticals.
"There's been a bit of speculation about our boys over the last week or so. I nearly fell off my daybed in Fiji when I read some of it," he said.
"Hypotheticals. It's really difficult to answer a hypothetical question. These boys know how valuable they are to us as people and players.
"I tend to deal with what's real rather than what's hypothetical. I'll probably leave it at that."
The questions surrounding Curnow and McKay, who are contracted until the end of the 2029 and 2030 seasons respectively, come amid suggestions the pair could work better separately, while the Blues could earn a valuable return for their services.
Knowing the assets he has at his disposal, Voss ruled out any concept of putting one, or both, of Curnow and McKay on the market.
"All I'd say on that is they're extremely important to us and have," the Blues coach said.
"I talk to a lot of opposition coaches, and I know they both come up in conversation a lot. So when you've got them together, and they're genuine assets, they can be distinctive assets for you and distinctive strengths.
"All I'll say is I love having them both out there, both playing in good form. I know how hard they are to play against, and how much better we are when they're both there.
"From our point of view, that makes it an easy decision when there's speculation that comes with it."
Both Curnow and McKay are in line to face Essendon at the MCG on Sunday night for the annual King's Birthday Eve game.
