Charlie Curnow wins Round 16 Rising Star nomination, Carlton’s fifth of season

CHARLIE Curnow has delivered Carlton its fifth Rising Star nomination of the season in the latest reminder that Brendon Bolton’s rebuild is on track.

Charlie Curnow in action against Melbourne.

CHARLIE Curnow has delivered Carlton its fifth Rising Star nomination for the season in the latest reminder that coach Brendon Bolton’s rebuild is on track.

Teammate and older brother Ed Curnow told Charlie he had scored the Blues a club record fifth nomination, joining Caleb Marchbank, Sam Petrevski-Seton, David Cuningham and Jack Silvagni as players eligible for this year’s trophy.

And the 20-year-old forward backed his young teammates to add to the list with Zac Fisher and Tom Williamson still eligible this season.

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Only expansion club Greater Western Sydney has scooped more nominations, securing eight in its inaugural 2012 campaign.

The Blues equalled the hauls of five achieved by Essendon (1993) and Fremantle (1996). The ‘Baby Bombers’ went onto win the premiership that year.

Curnow took a game-high 10 marks (four contested) and was involved in 10 scores as the Blues gave finals-bound Melbourne a fright at the MCG on Sunday.

Charlie Curnow celebrates a goal for Carlton.

The athletic key forward was drafted at No.12 in 2015 — the selection received from Carlton’s next opponent, the Western Bulldogs.

In return the Dogs received a pair of picks, used on premiership player Josh Dunkley and full-back Kieran Collins.

“I’m just starting to get a little bit of form, which is nice,” Curnow said.

“I try to get up the ground and use my running capacity to try and take a few marks. I started off slow to the season and Bolts really helped me out.

“He’s been awesome. He’s a really down-to-earth bloke and has kind of got an answer to everything.”

Adelaide’s Rory Sloane last week said Curnow’s marking ability was like St Kilda legend Stewart Loewe, while Garry Lyon dubbed Curnow the “best buy in footy”.

Charlie Curnow takes on Sam Lloyd.

Curnow said he was adjusting to the glowing praise.

“It’s good to get some recognition, but I’ve had good people around me that have really brought my game along,” he said.

Curnow said his pre-draft arrest for drink-driving was “pretty full-on … it was pretty tough” but that he learned from the incident.

He doubted brother Ed would be fit to face the Dogs on Sunday and said it would be tough to replace Patrick Cripps, who will be sidelined for the rest of the season.

“It’s a hard one, because he’s a phenomenal player,” Curnow said.

“I think he won more contested possessions than any player in the first 50 games or something.

“He’s an absolute gun and he’ll be hard to replace, but we’ve got some guys in the midfield that are going to give it a red-hot crack.”