Carlton’s disappointment at its loss to Melbourne should be overpowered by future promise
CARLTON supporters need no reminding just how good Anthony Koutoufides was. But is another young Blue set to take his place as a club superstar?
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CARLTON supporters must have banged nearby MCG seats in frustration as the final siren sounded on Sunday.
But as emotion settled after a riveting eight-point loss to finals-bound Melbourne, that disappointment should have been overpowered by big-picture promise and adoration for Charlie Curnow.
It is little wonder there are claims Brendon Bolton is the coach of the season. The Blues are buzzing, well advanced from gloomy pre-season predictions.
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With Patrick Cripps and Simon White sidelined for the second half, they gave the Demons an almighty fright.
Bolton’s methodical rebuild is rapidly working. One key jigsaw puzzle is Curnow, the player on the lips of supporters and growing into the mould of Anthony Koutoufides.
A Rising Star nomination for last week’s powerful performance on Adelaide star Jake Lever eluded Curnow.
But glowing praise didn’t.
“This kid is the buy of the football world,” Melbourne great Garry Lyon declared.
“If you wanted to build a footy player to play for the next 10 years you’d end up spitting out a kid like this.”
Lyon’s remark places Curnow in the same exciting bracket as Eric Hipwood and Joe Daniher.
After watching Curnow up close, Crows midfielder Rory Sloane compared his hands to St Kilda legend Stewart ‘Buckets’ Loewe.
If an overdue Rising Star nomination arrives on Monday, the Blues will own five of the first 16.
Curnow sheepishly arrived at the Blues shortly after a drink-driving arrest and a tinge of risk.
Now the kid drafted with a pick received from the Western Bulldogs looks a driving force towards the club’s 17th premiership.
Curnow started the game with a bang. He kicked the Blues three goals clear in the first quarter after a contested grab at full-forward and led the game for marks, taking 10 (four contested).
As Cripps hobbled to the bench aided by three trainers during the second term, Curnow took his third mark inside 50m and goaled.
As the ball was returned to the middle, the 20-year-old waved his arms directing traffic like a leader.
From the next centre clearance, Curnow marked on the wing and centred it to Levi Casboult.
By the time Cripps reached the rooms for medical treatment, Curnow had turned that sinking feeling into smiles on the dials of Blues fans.
Then, in the pulsating final quarter, Curnow landed heavily and awkwardly. Wanting to crawl to the bench, he instead laid a desperate tackle and won a free kick for holding the ball.
Curnow kicked it to Casboult before heading to the doctor as the Blues searched for a game-breaking goal.
It wasn’t to come, as Jake Melksham instead responded to return Melbourne the lead with four minutes remaining.
It was the fifth lead change of the second half after quick goals to Sam Petrevski-Seton, Jack Silvagni and Marc Murphy boosted Carlton nine points clear in the final term.
The Demons responded after quick goals to Sam Petrevski-Seton, Jack Silvagni and Marc Murphy boosted the Blues nine points clear in the final term.
Jordan Lewis, booed all day after clocking Cripps in Round 2, goaled after the siren to stretch the final margin.
That punctuated a gritty win for the Demons and an honourable loss for the Blues, who have become an honour to watch this season.
VOTES
3. T McDonald (Melb)
2. C Oliver (Melb)
1. C Curnow (Carl)
BEST
CARLTON: Curnow, Murphy, Kreuzer, Gibbs, Kerridge, Silvagni, Simpson, Jones
MELBOURNE: McDonald, Oliver, Lewis, Jetta, Melksham, Frost, Neal-Bullen, Hibberd
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