Charlie Curnow traded to Sydney in last deal of 2025 exchange period
The Swans have given up a monster haul to secure Blues spearhead Charlie Curnow - but they say it was worth every penny. See how it went down.
An extra first-round pick and a handshake sealed a blockbuster deal to send superstar goalkicker Charlie Curnow to Sydney as the final deal of an intense trade period.
In a monumental trade, Carlton let Curnow go for three first round picks and goalkicker Will Hayward, while sending three second-rounders to the Swans, with the Blues trumpeting the return as “effectively four” first rounders.
Tense negotiations between Carlton and Sydney carried on until three minutes before Wednesday’s trade deadline, when the Swans, Blues and Curnow’s management team all shook hands to seal the future of the dual Coleman medallist.
Carlton began the trade period steadfast it would not trade the champion forward but softened as the days went on, before beginning negotiations proper in the 24 hours leading into the deadline.
Sydney added a 2027 first-round pick to the deal to secure it in the final frantic minutes.
That 2027 pick had been the sticking point in negotiations as Curnow’s manager Robbie D’Orazio worked back and forth between the Blues and Swans at Marvel Stadium on Wednesday.
Talks were slow enough that the Blues were debating in the final half hour who would ring Curnow to tell him his wish to leave Carlton had fallen through, until D’Orazio and his offsider Paul Connors both entered Carlton’s suite at 7.15pm – 15 minutes before the deadline.
Connors handed Blues list manager Nick Austin a phone to nut out the specifics with Sydney before the Blues brass got on the move to enter Sydney’s box at 7.20pm and the two parties shook hands at 7.26pm, causing D’Orazio to clap in delight.
D’Orazio later described the final minutes as “frantic”.
“It was probably the sticking point in the end, that extra first rounder and we were comfortable to throw it in and get some second-round picks back,” Swans list manager Chris Keane said.
Carlton head of footy Chris Davies said the Blues were “obviously looking for the best possible deal” to let Curnow go and were only going to do it for three first rounders.
Geelong offered only three first rounders, without a player like Hayward, last week and did not table a second offer for Curnow.
“Sydney came to the party for something we had been asking for for over the last 24 hours, we feel like three first round picks in and Will Hayward, it is effectively four,” Davies said.
“We were really clear late in the day it had to be part of the deal and without it, it wasn’t going to happen.”
It was first revealed by CODE Sports earlier this month that Hayward would be interested in moving to Carlton if approached him and he was in South America as the trade took shape.
So too, was Ollie Florent, who was traded to Carlton earlier on Wednesday for a future third-round pick.
Keane said the Swans were happy to take the risk on Curnow given he was a “really, really good player” but Davies said the acquisitions of Florent, Hayward and earlier additions like Campbell Chesser made the Blues better even without Curnow.
“I accept Charlie is a big figure in our club for a long period of time and the club should thank Charlie for what his contribution has been but we thought the time is right for what we think is the future of our club as well and having a player who does not want to be at your club is an interesting thing to manage,” Davies said.
“We think on balance our team should be better than what it was this year.”
Originally published as Charlie Curnow traded to Sydney in last deal of 2025 exchange period
Deals stall ahead of deadline as former No. 1 pick left in limbo
