Trade talk: Swans coach comments on Curnow links

Sydney Swans coach Dean Cox has commented on reports that he has met with Charlie Curnow.

Reports from Channel 7’s Mitch Cleary suggested this week that the Carlton forward had met with the Swans ahead of the upcoming trade period.

Cox was asked if a meeting with Curnow, who is contracted with the Blues until 2029, ever took place.

“I think you know that I won’t talk about anything that does or doesn’t happen,” Cox said on SEN Breakfast.

“That’s one thing that I’ve always thought, that is if you do have meetings or you don’t even have them, everything gets done behind closed doors.

“That’s the way we’ll keep it.”

Is Curnow a player that the Swans would like to recruit?

“I think any player - if they’re out of contract or open to a trade - our list management team have to improve our list,” he added.

“We’re not playing football this weekend, which is our ultimate goal. So no matter who it is, we need to make sure that we scour around the competition for players that we think could benefit our football club.

“Then from there the logistics that happen with that. Is it attainable through trade, draft, what we have to do through that process.

“There’s a lot of work with a lot of hypotheticals as well.”

As a result of Sydney’s apparent interest in two-time Coleman Medallist Curnow, Swans star Tom Papley has been linked to the Blues.

It was reported that Curnow’s management touched base with the management of Papley - who sought a trade to Carlton in 2019 - but Cox knew little of that situation.

Papley admitted there has been contact but ruled out any potential move away from then Swans.

“My manager rang me just to be wary if something comes out in the media that your name’s going to be thrown around for the Curnow stuff because of previous years,” Papley told the Early Crow podcast.

“He was pretty clear that it’s not the club that wanted to do that, it’s solely on their management, and they’re looking for someone to trade for Curnow.

“And I was pretty stern with him and said, ‘Man, I’m pretty happy at the Swans. But I’m definitely not leaving if Curnow is coming’.

“I’d love for it to happen. Everyone knows he wants to get out of there and wants to come to the Swans or Gold Coast or wherever. But we’re going to have to give up a fair bit and that comes with you’re going to lose a couple of mates, which is tough as well.

“So, it’s got to work for both parties, and I’m sure we’ll be trying to do anything that we can to get him.”

Cox responded to that chatter.

“The players want as many great players that they can get at football clubs to play alongside,” Cox said further.

“They understand that, they understand the ramifications that come with that, that someone just doesn’t walk in your door.

“I haven’t seen or heard that from ‘Paps’. I hear enough from Tom throughout the year that I don’t need it in the off-season as well.”