AFL news 2025: Carlton star Charlie Curnow undergoes minor knee surgery

Carlton star Charlie Curnow won’t be out there when the Blues face Richmond in round 1 after knee surgery. So when will he return?

Carlton superstar Charlie Curnow has undergone minor surgery on his knee which will sideline him for at least the season-opener against Richmond.

The jet goal kicker and dual Coleman Medalist has had a screw removed from his knee on Tuesday which was causing agitation and will miss the Round 1 clash against the Tigers.

The Blues are hopeful he will be running within one week and could play in Round 2 against Hawthorn in the Thursday night blockbuster at the MCG.

Charlie Curnow is set for surgery. Picture: Michael Klein

While it is a setback for one of the competition’s top forwards, the Blues were adamant on Tuesday night it was extremely minor and unlikely to trouble him throughout the season.

The Herald Sun understands Curnow, 28, was experiencing pain around the screw site due to a nerve issue which required a minor clean-up.

But the Blues are expecting a quick recovery and coach Michael Voss has made clear to the superstar forward it is important to get him fit for the bulk of the season after the small procedure.

Curnow was spotted running on Monday at the club but had complained of soreness and restriction in his knee last week, prompting scans on Saturday.

It means spearhead Harry McKay will take the keys to the forward line for the season-opener against wooden-spooner Richmond at the MCG in the traditional season-opener.

Curnow has overcome three years of nightmare knee injuries in 2019-2021 including a split patella which genuinely threatened his career.

But the Geelong Falcons product has overcome those issues only to be dealt a nasty ankle injury last year which derailed his second half of the season.

Curnow is one of the best and most damaging players in the AFL at full fitness and critical to the Blues’ premiership hopes.

He has kicked 64, 87 and 57 goals in each of the past three seasons and is lauded for his overhead marking and running power.

The club lost important defender Nic Newman to a serious patella injury in the preseason although the tough backman could return before the end of the season.

Sam Walsh has also suffered a hamstring issue but should be right for Round 1.

The Blues are pleased with the changes in their high performance department which have been designed to help increase the speed and power of the team in 2025 as well as improve the injury rates after a tough year last season.

Originally published as AFL news 2025: Carlton star Charlie Curnow undergoes minor knee surgery