Carlton clears Charlie Curnow to play off-season basketball, despite latest knee injury
He might have injured his knee and been forced to undergo surgery after a mishap on the court, but Carlton won’t stop Charlie Curnow playing basketball with mates, as a new, slimmer version of Mitch McGovern prepares for 2019.
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Carlton has given Charlie Curnow the tick of approval over the basketball accident that saw him delay his pre-season until post-Christmas.
Curnow on Monday underwent surgery to stabilise his patella after playing a game of “non-competitive basketball” with friends.
He was playing with teammates Zac Fisher and Patrick Cripps, and told the Blues he stepped on someone’s foot in the incident that caused damage to his knee.
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It has drawn criticism from some quarters given Curnow spent much of the season battling knee issues.
But Carlton’s view is that it cannot stop its players from taking part in recreational sport like backyard cricket and basketball over their two month-break given they are young kids blowing off steam.
It comes with Carlton believing Mitch McGovern is in the shape of his career as he prepares for his second pre-season at the Blues.
McGovern dropped 5kg after being dropped by Blues coach David Teague to complete another mini pre-season.
And he has continued to fine down after keeping in good shape since the off-season, stunning onlookers given his once robust physique.
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Carlton fans had nicknamed him Brackets given his physique once swelled the No. 11 jumper on his back.
But the Blues will face a legitimate logjam for spots next year with Curnow, Harry McKay, McGovern and Levi Casboult all pushing to be a part of the club’s forward line.
Casboult is keen for a contract extension past 2020 given he finished fifth in the club’s best and fairest and was able to be such a versatile presence.
As of yet there is no rival interest in Casboult, who might have to prove himself again to win a contract past 2020.