Blues legends see a lot of Hall of Fame legend Alex Jesaulenko in forward star Charlie Curnow

He is the hottest ticket in the hottest team in town and now a pair of Blues legends have told Mark Robinson they see a lot of their old teammate Alex Jesaulenko in Charlie Curnow.

Alex Jesaulenko, Charlie Curnow comparison

Mark Maclure calls it the “generational gap’’.

It’s based on the striking similarities between Alex Jesaulenko and Charlie Curnow, who are 50 years separated in football and worlds apart in the evolution to the modern footballer who is bigger, fitter and faster.

Jezza was an 182cm full-forward and Curnow is a 192cm full-forward.

Jezza, a Hall of Fame legend, had speed, balance, tremendous ball handling and floated to the top of packs to haul in some of the game’s spectacular marks.

“Jesaulenko, you beauty,’’ has been a catch cry since the 1970 grand final.

The same can be said of Curnow.

It’s the speed and balance for a player of his height and Curnow, like Jezza, rarely goes to ground.

This is not to say Curnow will get close to what Jesaulenko accomplished, but footy needs its heroes and Charlie Curnow is currently captivating the footy world.

In the blink of an eye, Curnow is the hottest ticket in the hottest team in the competition.

“Charlie is the new generation Jezza,’’ Maclure said. “He’s bigger and that’s the modern game.’’

Alex Jesaulenko takes a famous mark over Graham Jenkins in the 1970 Grand Final.

Two Carlton greats, Maclure and Robert Walls, were still buzzing midweek about the match-up between Curnow and Collingwood’s Darcy Moore last Friday night.

“I loved it,’’ Maclure said. “He was mesmerising against Darcy Moore.

“He is absolutely the most exciting forward in the game, no one’s better than him.

“I watched him the week before against West Coast. He’s dynamic, he’s clean with it, he doesn’t hurt anyone, he does his thing, he’s quick, he’s athletic, he’s a freak. That goal against West Coast along the ground from 50m, who tries that? Who does that? He’s an unbelievable player.’’

Walls, who with Maclure was a key forward for the Blues through the 1970s, anticipated a Curnow night out against Moore.

“I always thought Charlie was a chance to do well against Darcy Moore because Darcy gives you a chance,’’ Walls said.

“Darcy will back himself. Darcy plays from behind and will give his opponent a chance to lead at the ball, but if that opponent is Charlie, who is super quick, you’re never going to catch him.

“If Carlton played well, I thought Charlie was every chance to kick four or five goals.’’

He ended with six, several from free kicks for in the back.

Older folk will remember Jesaulenko, who had his 78th birthday during the week. Younger folk can type in his name, hit video, and marvel at a player who was born in Austria, grew up in Canberra and who, in 1979, captained coach the Blue to the premiership.

He was a full-forward in the early days _ he kicked 115 goals in 1970 _ and then he played midfield, half-forward and steered the Blues to the ’79 flag from a half back.

“Jezza was incredible,’’ Maclure said.

Charlie Curnow marks strongly over Darcy Moore. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“He could run flat out with his body bent and head over the ball and pick it up better than anyone in the world. He was a great player. He never lost his feet. And there’s the point, Charlie doesn’t lose his feet.’’

Maclure says Curnow is the most exciting player at Carlton since Jezza, better even than Anthony Koutoufides on the tear or when Brendan Fevola was rocking the MCG.

“Charlie has Jezza qualities,’’ Maclure said.

“When I played, I’d play on blokes and they’d watch Jezza and they’d say: ‘Did you see that?’ I’d say, ‘mate, I see it every week. Billy Picken would always say it.

“Charlie has some unique talents like Jezza. He’s balanced, never loses his feet, he’s quick. Jezza was 5’11 and this bloke is 6’4. It’s the generation gap … Charlie’s the new generation of athletic talls who could do exactly what Jezza did.

“I really don’t know who’s a better player to watch in the competition than this bloke.

“We used to watch Gary Ablett Snr and he was unbelievable, and this bloke is different again. “He’s a beautiful player. And we haven’t seen the best of him yet.

“You know, Tex Walker has been fantastic, but he’s not athletic like this bloke, he’s not exciting like this bloke. Charlie jumps on your head, he picks it up off the ground, he kicks around corners, he does the lot.’’

Walls didn’t baulk at the Curnow-Jesaulenko comparison.

“Charlie’s a super athlete for a start,’’ Walls said.

“At ground level Jezza was better. Jezza played low to the ground. He was able to run flat out and bent over, so if the ball hit the deck Jezza was catlike with his reflexes. I don’t think Charlie is as good as that.

“Jezza would take the speccie, and Charlie is equally as good in pack marks. You often see Charlie in packs of two, three and four and he ends up pulling the ball down.

“The thing about Jezza, he won a best and fairest on a halfback line, his early days were at full forward, he also played centre. If Charlie played on a wing, he would be a greater sensation.

Mark Maclure was a fellow high flying Carlton forward in the 1970s and ‘80s.

“He’d be taking the marks coming out of the backline, he’d be able to use his great athleticism even more. They could play Charlie as a midfielder, winger, play him centre half-back. He’s a not unlike Kouta, he could play any of those position.’’

It was the 2018 season when Curnow started to seriously impact games. The season before, Hawks great Dermott Brereton opined that Curnow, then 20, could be the best player in the game in two years’ time.

In round 13, 2019, Curnow kicked seven goals against the Western Bulldogs. The next week, he suffered a medial ligament injury in his right knee, and subsequent knee injuries, including a dislocation and a fractured kneecap, meant he did not play again until Round 20, 2021.

Walls was at Carlton in 2019, assisting then coach Brendon Bolton and his assistants, remembers watching a supreme athlete at training.

“He’d win the 400m by 40m, he’d be in the front one or two in the sprints, he had a fantastic leap, he was just a super athlete,’’ he said.

“And now he’s matured — what’s he now, 26? — he’s in superb physical condition. He’s got good hands, he’s a really good kick. When he does that arc on the right foot, he knows he can kick a goal from 60m out. And he hits them hard and flat. And his set shots are good, whether it’s a normal shot or around the corner.

“He would be extremely hard to play against because he can beat you with pace, he can run all day, he’s got massive endurance, he’s got a great leap and he’s got great hands.

“And he’s learnt from his coaches how to play his position. I think up until 18 he did it on natural ability.’’

Curnow has exploded since Harry McKay was injured against Port Adelaide in round 18.

He kicked 10 goals against West Coast and then six against the Pies and discussion has centred around the balance of playing Curnow and smalls as opposed to Curnow, McKay and smalls.

Robert Walls and Alex Jesaulenko were teammates in the 1970 Carlton Premiership team. They’re pictured second from the right and far right.

It’s working with the likes of Jesse Motlop, Jack Martin, Matt Owies, Lachie Fogarty, Matthew Cottrell and David Cuningham adding speed and defensive pressure forward of centre and from the wing.

Maclure said: “Since McKay hasn’t played Charlie has played better.’’

His theory is simple: “Because the ball goes to him a lot more times, it means he gets more of it. They will put McKay back in and I think he (coach Michael Voss) plays McKay higher. He takes marks down the line.’’

With Lance Franklin retiring, the sport has lost its greatest showman. The next cab has Curnow in it.

“Charlie’s taken over the mantle, but the challenge is can Charlie reach Buddy’s level?,’’ Maclure said.

“Buddy played 20 seasons and this guy can go close to equalling Buddy (goals). I just love watching him play. As soon as he goes near the ball, everyone starts screaming.’’

Walls is flooded with Charlie-mania.

“I’ve got six grandchildren who are all in love with Charlie,’’ he said.

“The two eldest ones, god, it’s Charlie, Charlie, Charlie. We’ve just lost one (great showman) in Buddy, let’s hope he’s the next one.’’

Originally published as Blues legends see a lot of Hall of Fame legend Alex Jesaulenko in forward star Charlie Curnow