Charlie Curnow hits back at trade speculation as Blues hold firm on Jack Silvagni deal

Carlton star Charlie Curnow has responded to a week of speculation about his future, reassuring Blues fans that ‘nothing has happened’ with the Suns. Plus, the latest on Jack Silvagni.

Charlie Curnow has confirmed he will be playing for Carlton for the rest of his contract and that “nothing has happened”, after reports he was keen on a fresh start with the Gold Coast Suns.

The Blues immediately shut down any talk of trading the superstar this week amid reports he was keen for a change in lifestyle to play for the Suns but he told reporters after the 24-point loss to Hawthorn on Thursday night that “I want to be here”.

“I’m playing at Carlton next year, so there you go,” he said.

“Nothing has happened, (I will) pretty much just put all my time into playing footy for this club this year and into future years.”

When asked if he had to speak to the club this week about his future after the reporting, Curnow simply said: “nah”.

The two-time Coleman medallist is contracted at the Blues until the end of 2029.

The superstar goalkicker started the brightest of a big three tall forward line against the Hawks but only had one disposal after half-time to end the night with 10 touches and two goals.

His Carlton side avoided a blow out after a slow start against the fancied Hawks but never really threatened to win the game.

Charlie Curnow in action on Thursday night. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Blues coach Michael Voss told Fox Footy pre-game that he expected Curnow to put aside the speculation and perform against Hawthorn.

“What we expect as performers is we go out there as competitors and we have got to get the job done and we narrow our focus on the task and he has a role to do, a very important one and we ask him to execute it,” Voss said.

Curnow said the toughest part of his week was the impact the reports had on those close to him.

“Sometimes people around can be affected for sure, that is the thing that can be most frustrating as an AFL player is your close family and friends, it probably affects them more,” he said.

Curnow is on track for his lowest goal-scoring year since 2021 and said multiple pre-season surgeries had put a dent in his performance this year as his Blues have fallen out of finals contention.

“It’s been up and down for sure. Probably started off pre-season having three surgeries and that lingered around at the start of the season for me and I tried to find my feet and I feel as a team we probably haven’t found our feet also,” he said.

Curnow begged Blues to stick with the side despite a 7-12 start to the season.

“It’s a hard one for them I know, that’s for sure, just grow with us and have fun with us,” he said.

“We are trying hard out there. We do really want to have a crack for them. Just stick with us, something good will happen.”

Carlton won’t budge on Silvagni offer as Pies circle

– Jon Ralph

Carlton will hold the line on its four-year offer worth around $2.5 million for Jack Silvagni, keen to keep the restricted free agent but not willing to up its offer for five seasons.

The Herald Sun reported on Sunday that the Pies had stepped up the chase for this year’s defensive improver, keen to bolster their defensive stocks.

Carlton has had that four-year deal on the table for Silvagni since round 14 but it is on relatively modest terms, given the likes of Harry Perryman was able to secure $900,000-a-year contract as a Pies free agent last year.

Collingwood’s offer of four years is more financially lucrative than the Carlton offer – believed to top $700,000 a season.

But if the Pies handed the 27-year-old a five-year deal, the Blues would hold their ground, believing they have made the son of club legend Steve Silvagni a responsible, lucrative offer.

Jack Silvagni in action against Collingwood earlier this season. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

The Blues have plenty of list decisions ahead but there is no scenario where they would trade Charlie Curnow, despite them being aware he is open to a change of lifestyle.

He is keen to play his footy somewhere that allows him to stay out of the footy bubble while surfing and relaxing away from the spotlight.

But the Blues will hold the line, aware that if he honours the last four years of his contract, he will not do so as a divisive clubhouse presence.

Carlton is aware of the second-rate nature of this year’s draft, so even if it was open to a monster trade package clubs like the Suns, Sydney and Geelong would not trade the blue-chip players to satisfy them.

If Silvagni did depart, the Blues would be dismayed while accepting the free agency compensation pick but would have fallback positions.

Carlton believes Harry O’Farrell, secured for the pick it received when Matt Kennedy was traded to the Dogs, will be a 200-gamer in defence.

And father-son Harry Dean, son of 1995 grand final hero Peter, is touted as a top-10 selection after the national championships where he was showcased as a quick, tough intercept marker with huge potential.

Will he be at Carlton next year? Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Key backs Brodie Kemp and Nick Haynes are also in line for contract extensions.

Silvagni is currently sidelined with a groin issue and has no return date after battling the injury through most of the season.

He was sidelined in 2023 with a knee injury from round 20 onwards when the club made its preliminary final charge then missed last year’s season with an ACL tear.

But when he has been at his best this season averaging 2.1 intercept marks the Blues have been thrilled by his strong defence and excellent kicking through the corridor.

Carlton will lose Tom De Koning to St Kilda and is yet to make a decision on whether it needs to chase another ruck, with Marc Pittonet to be given chances in the run home to show he can play in the No.1 role.

Originally published as Charlie Curnow hits back at trade speculation as Blues hold firm on Jack Silvagni deal