It might have been tongue in cheek, but a flag is on the horizon for Carlton if Charlie Curnow’s opinion is anything to go by.
Unveiled as the new shiny toy in Carlton’s leadership group for 2024, the back-to-back Coleman medallist put aside his individual accolades to focus particular attention on what the end game is for the Blues.
“Hopefully the flag,” Curnow said in response to being asked what he wanted out of this year after getting so close to the finish line in 2023.
The 27-year-old leading goalkicker confessed his own output in the finals series last season was not the level he expected.
But Curnow said he saw the form dip as an opportunity to drive him forward, especially, now as an official leader at the club.
“I did not perform as well as I would have liked to in the end,” Curnow said.
“I get to have another crack at it this year, but it is a team game, and I am looking forward to playing with our forward line as a unit and hopefully another final series.”
As a new leader at the club, Curnow, despite all his fist pumps, goal celebrations, shirt tugs, flair and shine, attested a new sense of grounding learnt from his recently retired brother, Ed, who played who 221 industrious games with Carlton.
Curnow said he was grateful to have someone so close to him to look up to when he first arrived at the club and throughout his developmental phase as a young player in the AFL.
“I watched him (Ed) on and off the field,” Curnow said.
“He raised three kids, he is always someone I looked up to.
“I am still learning as a leader. I was able to engage and learn from Ed over the years.
“I took a lot of from his football and a lot of the way he developed as a player and as a person off the field.”
Curnow referred to his passion and energy as a leadership quality he will bring in spades this season – something which is clearly a Curnow family trait.
So is hard work and professionalism – characteristics well and truly tested for the Carlton full forward who suffered a spate of career-threatening knee injuries.
Carlton captain Patrick Cripps, stood alongside Curnow, highlighted an achievement in itself many thought was not possible a handful of seasons ago and it is one of the reasons his stature has been formally elevated by the club.
“He is the only player on our list in the last two years who has not missed a game,” Cripps said.
“It’s amazing what he’s done and achieved over two years after a long injury layoff.
“As a leader, he is infectious. He brings people together. When he talks, people listen.
“There is a big presence about him as a player, that’s what you want as a leader.”
Curnow and Cripps will prepare for the Opening Round clash against the Lions in 30 days when they lead out the Blues for practice matches against Geelong (22nd February) and Melbourne (28th February) at IKON Park.
