Star big man Tom De Koning is "fully invested" in Carlton despite ongoing speculation he could depart at season's end, says coach Michael Voss.
The Blues' coach is also "comfortable" with where the club's culture sits amid an investigation into a senior staffer.
In-form De Koning, a restricted free agent, has parked contract talks amid a blockbuster offer from St Kilda, reported to hit $1.7 million per season over seven years.
"It's always ongoing dialogue, clearly," Voss said of conversations with the ruckman.
"He's an important player for us. Clearly he's in some really good form ... all I can see is what Tom's doing, and he's a very important part of our group.
"This group has had a real determination to be able to stick together, and I've got nothing to suggest otherwise than he's really invested in us, and that's what we really care about."
Voss wouldn't say how Carlton sold themselves to De Koning if they couldn't match St Kilda's finances, but had no concerns over how he handles the focus.
"We've always got the eye on the future, but it's very much about the here and now," he said.
"And so I guess the way to answer that is really to get on with your job and continue to make yourself better. And he makes us better and brings unique strengths to us, and that's all we really worry about.
"He's an important member of our team, and we want to get the best out of him, because he's important to us."
The coach insisted it was too early to suggest Carlton (1-4) had turned the corner with their win over West Coast.
With Harry McKay (concussion) and Brodie Kemp (achilles) sidelined, Voss will shuffle his attack in the Good Friday clash with North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium.
The Blues opted not to recall ruckman Marc Pittonet, left as an emergency, with De Koning likely be grappling full-time with in-form Kangaroos ruckman Tristan Xerri rather than being pushed forward.
Forward Elijah Hollands will play his first AFL game since taking personal leave in pre-season, while veteran defender Sam Docherty has been dropped.
Blake Acres returns after missing the win over West Coast while tall defender Lewis Young has been recalled.
North will welcome back boom youngster George Wardlaw from a hamstring injury, with Riley Hardeman dropped to make way.
Voss had no issues with Carlton's culture amid the internal investigation into a senior staffer at the club, who is currently on leave, after complaints from staff over their conduct.
"I don't have a hell of a lot of visibility on that," he said.
"What I do know is that the club's obviously managing it, and it's being managed at the right level."
Asked if there was a cultural problem within the organisation, Voss said: "I think you'd have to probably fire those questions at a couple other people who have got more visibility on it.
"So from my point of view, it's really comfortable with where our playing group's at, I'm really comfortable with where our environment is."
