The Curnow effect: Mooney's bullish Swans call

The Sydney Swans pulled off one of the great recruiting coups in the trade period when landing Charlie Curnow from Carlton.

While it did cost the Swans a pretty penny, they did end up with a two-time Coleman Medallist who has kicked 313 goals in 149 career games.

Some have their reservations about what Curnow can produce in red and white, given his ongoing knee issues, but one person who is bullish is Cam Mooney.

The North Melbourne and Geelong premiership-winning key forward believes the presence of Curnow will elevate Dean Cox’s Swans to a top-four contender in 2026.

“I picked Sydney to not make the finals this year - I am picking Sydney to finish top four next year,” Mooney said on SEN Breakfast.

“It was the year they probably needed to have and I think their midfield is unbelievable. You throw in a guy like Charlie…

“I was doing brekkie with Dwayne (Russell) a couple of weeks ago and a lot of people were saying ‘overrated’ - Charlie is not overrated.

“He might not have the work ethic he probably needs from what I hear - but his talent alone - and going up there I reckon his work ethic will pick up. It’s what happens when you go to a new club, you want to impress so badly so he’ll train hard.

“As long as his body holds up, and yes, I know that is a big question mark, but being on the SCG as a smaller ground (will help).”

Mooney referenced the burly Swans spearheads of the past such as Tony Lockett, Barry Hall and Lance Franklin who all starred in the Harbour City.

“Sydney has always had that ability to get the big key forward up there and they always do well, always,” he added.

Let’s say all goes well and that Curnow is happy and healthy, how many goals can he kick in 2026?

“70 plus,” Mooney said without hesitation.

“I think they’re in for a big year, the Swans. Get on them.”

The conversation regarding Curnow and the Swans came about after captain Callum Mills spoke glowingly of the prized recruit on Monday.

“He fits in really well with the group and we’re really pumped to have him,” Mills told reporters at training.

“He’s an awesome guy, Charlie.

“We’ve had history of big key forwards coming to Sydney, and we’re so pumped to have Charlie pick us and come here.

“He’ll make us a great team and he’s fit in like a glove already.”

Curnow spent 10 seasons with the Blues, finally flourishing in 2022 after multiple injuries to kick 64 goals and claim his first Coleman.

He backed that up with 78 home and away goals (81 total) to claim a second straight Coleman in 2023 before booting 57 majors in 2024.

After an interrupted pre-season the 28-year-old was below his best in 2025 with 32 goals from 18 outings before departing the Blues.