AFL news: All the latest selection updates from around the competition

Carlton star Charlie Curnow hasn’t given up hope of playing Richmond next Thursday night. Glenn McFarlane has the intel on the Blues’ plans.

Carlton spearhead Charlie Curnow is pushing hard for a potential round 1 return next week after an exhaustive block of training in recent days.

It comes as star midfielder Sam Walsh edges closer towards locking in a berth against Richmond on Thursday week.

The Herald Sun understands Curnow had two significant training sessions on Friday and Monday after a seamless recovery from minor surgery a fortnight ago to remove a screw that is no longer required from an old knee injury.

The screws had been causing him some discomfort, which has now been eased.

The timeline for two-time Coleman Medal winner to take on the Tigers remains tight, though he is trying to prove his case.

Charlie Curnow could still play Richmond next week. Picture: Michael Klein

The Blues will pick him if he is right to play and won’t consider resting him, despite taking on a young Richmond outfit in the first game.

But if Curnow does not prove he is 100 per cent right to play, he is considered a lock for the round 2 clash with Hawthorn a week later on March 20.

Curnow’s forward partner Harry McKay played limited game time against the Giants in the Community Series clash last Friday, but he was being managed and is certain to be right to take on the Tigers.

Harry McKay is a lock for round 1. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Brodie Kemp kicked three goals in the Giants’ clash last week and would likely be used in attack if Curnow is not selected against Richmond.

The Blues are confident Walsh is ready to resume against the Tigers, despite not taking part in either of the club’s two trial games.

He suffered a hamstring strain at training in mid January, but has worked hard on his recovery.

Walsh missed large periods of the pre-season in 2023 and 2024 with a back issue. But the Blues believe the hamstring issue he has now recovered from won’t impact on his start to the season.