Charlie Curnow speaks at Swans HQ as Blues mull their options to trade superstar
Charlie Curnow has spoken after arriving at Sydney Swans HQ as speculation swirls over his future. See what he had to say, and the offer which could tempt the Blues to trade the superstar.
Carlton forward Charlie Curnow admits there’s “a fair bit to play out” ahead of a potential move to the Swans, with his future hanging in the balance just 48 hours before the trade deadline.
Sydney rolled out the red carpet for Curnow on Monday evening, with the 28-year-old arriving at Swans HQ alongside his fiancée Tiana Simic, agent Robbie D’Orazio and Sydney coach Dean Cox for a tour of the facilities.
Curnow’s potential path to the Swans has also become clearer, with Sydney forward Will Hayward set to be added to a trade package that includes a top 12 draft pick that could be enough to move the needle for Carlton.
It’s a clear show of intent from the Swans, who are prepared to go all out to add the two-time Coleman Medallist to their list in 2026.
Cox was at the airport to pick up Curnow for his visit to Sydney, with the wantaway forward stating he was eager to explore what the Swans had to offer ahead of a potential move away from the Blues.
“It’s going to be good,” Curnow said Monday.
“(We’ll) have a look around and see what happens.
“Pretty keen to have a look around, so we’ll wait and see. There’s a fair bit to play out.”
Sydney is yet to offer up a trade package to Curnow, but its ability to hand Carlton the No.11 overall pick as well as a future first-rounder would be of interest to the Blues.
Geelong’s offer of three first-round picks would likely see all of those picks land in the 20s.
The Swans’ potential offer would also give the Blues the flexibility to trade up ahead of a father-son pick on Harry Dean or trade into next year’s draft to secure points for father-son Cody Walker.
The Swans have the current No. 11 draft and a future first-rounder to use in any deal, but do not want to mortgage their future on Curnow.
Both Hayward and teammate Ollie Florent initially conveyed reluctance at a move away from the Swans, given their long contracts with the club, but it’s understood the pair are both now open to being traded.
Florent would need to find a new home to not only give the Swans an extra draft pick to throw into the mix but also to secure some salary cap relief.
Hayward, also from the Connors management firm stable, has strong admirers at Carlton, while Florent’s game has the kind of pace and ball-carrying ability that Michael Voss needs to inject into his side.
As reported by the Herald Sun on Sunday, James Rowbottom has told the Swans he is keen to stay in the Harbour City despite talks with Collingwood on Friday. Carlton was never interested in James Rowbottom, but if the Swans had traded him for a draft pick, Sydney could have handed it on to the Blues.
Sydney is hopeful it cannot only offer a deal that satisfies Curnow but also have enough cap space to fit him, given their contractual obligations.
The Swans signed Chad Warner on a deal of up to $1.3 million this year, and have million-dollar deals with Isaac Heeney and Errol Gulden.
Sydney also has to navigate the pitfalls of trading away a hugely popular player if it is that Florent or Hayward move on.
They are very aware of keeping locker room harmony, so do not want to force a player out, despite having told Florent he should consider his options if he wants more game time.
The Swans are also hopeful that if Curnow moved north, he would flourish like ex-Pies ruckman Brodie Grundy, who has played some elite football in his time at Sydney.
Curnow is reportedly open to taking a pay cut to move to Geelong, which is his preferred home if he can find a way out of Carlton.
But Geelong’s offer of three first-round picks has maxed out their best trade, and Carlton has made clear it is not interested in that offer.
Sydney has told key forward Joel Amartey he would not be part of any potential deal, and it is keen to extend his contract past 2026.
Sydney also has Logan McDonald and Hayden McLean under contract, but will lose Jack Buller to Collingwood under a trade that is not yet agreed upon.
Originally published as Charlie Curnow speaks at Swans HQ as Blues mull their options to trade superstar
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