Charlie Curnow could be traded from Carlton - 'Does he not fight?'

Kieran Francis

Charlie Curnow could be traded from Carlton - 'Does he not fight?' image

Carlton dual Coleman medallist Charlie Curnow could be traded at the end of the season, according to two AFL pundits.

The 28-year-old is on track for his lowest goal tally in a season since 2021, with 27 goals in 13 games so far.

Curnow struggled with injury at the back end of last season and didn't play until Round 2 in 2025 as he battled knee issues.

Journalist Damien Barrett believes incoming Carlton chief executive Graham Wright could trade Curnow if he gets a solid from another club.

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While Essendon legend Lloyd said he would 'consider' trading the two-time All-Australian, where previously he wouldn't have entertained the idea.

"If a club was to come Graham Wright (new Carlton CEO) with a feasible offer to get Curnow out [of the Blues], I believe he will engage in that conversation - at least consider it," Barrett said on Footy Classified.

"Whether that happens or not is a whole other ball game, but it's these types of decisions I expect him to make in either year one of his time or year two."

Lloyd was further critical of Curnow, claiming the key forward could be going through the motions at a team that is struggling.

"I was his greatest admirer when he was playing great football. He was winning Coleman medals," Lloyd said.

"What I have noticed with him is the difference between his best and worst is pretty stark for a player who is one of the best forwards in the competition.

"This year he has had five games where he has had nine disposals or less. You can see his numbers have dropped off.

"He kicks three [goals] a lot, which asks me, 'does he drop off in his work-rate or does he not have that killer instinct in him'?

"Does he not fight through? When you kick three, say, 'I want to kick five, I want to kick six'.

"People can say what about the team he is in but I saw Nick Larkey kick 70 goals a few years ago, in a team that won three games."

It's a short turnaround for Carlton and Curnow this week as they front up on Thursday night against Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval.

Kieran Francis

Kieran Francis is a senior editor at The Sporting News based in Melbourne, Australia. He started at Sportal.com.au before being a part of the transition to Sporting News in 2015. Just prior to the 2018 World Cup, he was appointed chief editor of Goal.com in Australia. He has now returned to The Sporting News where his passions lay in football, AFL, poker and cricket - when he is not on holiday.