Charlie Curnow signs mega deal: Blues spearhead wants repay the faith of fans and club
Charlie Curnow has opened up on the reasons why he signed on a mega-deal and shirked rival interest. And coach Michael Voss believes it could help them secure a finals berth.
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Carlton star Charlie Curnow says he was desperate to repay the Blues’ faith in him through the dark periods of his injury crisis after signing a six-year extension through to 2029.
As revealed by the Herald Sun, Curnow has committed long-term on a deal that takes in his brilliant form and the likely interest had he become a free agent at the end of 2023.
The six-year extension past 2023 will represent some risk for the Blues given at least six separate incidents with his troublesome knee and patella.
But Carlton had no hesitation in securing him long-term given the likely scope of rival offers they would have had to match and his determination to sign on early.
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As Blues head of list management Nick Austin said on Friday: “Charlie came to us a year before he needed to, said he wanted to play for this football club and was not interested in any other offers – that tells you everything you need to know about who he is.”
The Blues will now attempt to secure 2023 free agent Harry McKay and ruck-forward Tom De Koning across the summer but Curnow’s show of faith will only make that job easier.
McKay and Curnow are already on up to $700,000 a season so the club will have cap space given Jack Martin has been paid as much as $2 million of his $3.1 million deal expiring in 2024 already and Mitch McGovern’s deal finishes next year.
Lochie O’Brien will also stay on a two-year deal at Carlton after his breakout season on the wing.
Curnow, 25, said on Friday there was a determination to keep the current list together to achieve something special.
“This group started from day one together, we want to continue to grow together and ultimately we want to earn success together,” he said.
“We’ve had a lot of players re-sign for the long term and their mindset is exactly the same as mine – let’s do this the right way, off the back of working hard for each other and for everyone we represent at this football club.
“Obviously I am pretty pumped to be in a position where I can do something like this.
“I can’t wait for the next couple of years. It’s been a journey with a lot of ups and downs. It feels great to have the support of the fans and club and I really want to pay them back and it’s why I have done this. I want to show the club I care about them and the fans.”
Coach Michael Voss said Curnow’s signing was such positive news for the playing group, given his popularity, it could have a positive impact on the clash against Collingwood.
“Talking to him yesterday when it was confirmed, what really stood out was the excitement he had about the journey we are on and he’s pretty determined to see it through with this group.
“They have grown together and they are hoping to stay together. Its particularly pleasing. It’s nice to have it in the last round. Hopefully it generates a little bit of momentum for us but it’s a great announcement for us.”
Blues boost: Charlie cashes in with Blue mega deal
Exclusive
— Jon Ralph and Glenn McFarlane
Carlton star Charlie Curnow has signed a new long-term six year deal in a massive boost for the Blues as they prepare for their round 23 do-or-die clash against arch-rival Collingwood.
The Herald Sun understands the Blues have signed Curnow, 25, to a six-year extension on top of his existing deal for 2022 in what effectively amounts to a seven-year contract.
It is understood rival clubs have already backed up the truck with insane offers for him as a free agent at the end of next season.
But Curnow is prepared to show significant loyalty to the club that drafted him to sign for much less on a long-term deal that could extend past five years.
He is also believed to have significant belief in the club’s direction under Michael Voss, CEO Brian Cook and the football department given the growth in the past 12 months under the new regime.
Curnow has kicked 62.37 playing every game this season in a stunning return to form after at least six episodes with his surgically repaired knee.
At one stage there were fears Curnow would never be able to hit the heights Carlton fans had anticipated, spending nearly two games on the sidelines after an injury just after his 7.1 performance against the Western Bulldogs in round 13, 2019.
He returned to play four games in the back-end of 2021 after being held back by Carlton trainers determined to be cautious with their brilliant centre half forward.
After a nervous 0.2 performance in round 1 he has kicked goals at an average of better than three per game in a dynamic duo with Harry McKay.
While the Blues have known they would need to save salary cap room for Curnow he was already well paid by Carlton after his brilliant early cameos in the AFL.
His capacity to give away his free agency rights will see him get the long-term tenure and security that he would crave given uncertainty about his knee issues.
The Blues will now hope to secure McKay next year as he hits free agency, with ruckman Tom De Koning also out of contract next year but not yet a free agent.
The Blues believe those injuries are in the past despite the complex nature of the knee issues, which saw him dislocating his right knee cap slipping on tiles and then fracturing his patella walking on a tiled staircase.
Carlton will have cap space after 2023 with Mitch McGovern’s five-year contract worth up to $800,000 expiring at the end of next year.
The Blues will re-sign Lochie O’Brien on a new two-year deal but there is speculation rivals could attempt to secure No.3 draft pick Paddy Dow given he has not been able to break into the senior side.
Curnow revealed earlier this year a tailored training program that had seen him do less on his legs had allowed him to build some durability this year.
“Before having injuries it was something that I hadn’t experienced because I was able to do 100 per cent of training,” Curnow said.
“Sometimes you know time on legs and training as much as what I used to do is something that can hold me back, so that was a bit of a learning curve.
“I’ve got a good physio group (at Carlton) that has really helped me along the way and has given me parameters of what I can and can’t do … to help me make smart choices around training.”
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Originally published as Charlie Curnow signs mega deal: Blues spearhead wants repay the faith of fans and club
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