Carlton superstar Charlie Curnow sent fans and the Carlton Football Club staff scrambling on Saturday as he left the field midway through an open training session at Ikon Park, raising alarms over his fitness for the upcoming season. Curnow was assessed for concerns around his right knee after he pulled out during match simulation, leaving about 2000 fans anxiously watching as one of their most pivotal players limped off the ground.
The two-time Coleman medallist had not taken the news lightly, as this season's outlook was already complicated by the fact he was on a modified training program following surgeries on his knee and ankle during the off-season. Watching him take marks, kick goals, and perform well during the early session had built excitement—only to quickly turn to worry when he was seen signaling discomfort.
Medical staff jumped to action, and Curnow was soon sent for scans on his right knee. By the afternoon, the results returned positive: there was no structural damage, which presumably calmed the potential storm brewing about his fitness. This message was greeted with collective relief from fans, who grew concerned for their forward throughout his absence from the latter stages of the session, especially since Curnow hadn’t participated in the traditional warm-down lap with the others.
"Curnow had been on a modified program over the summer after undergoing knee and ankle surgeries," reported 7NEWS. This off-season has been turbulent for Curnow, whose preparation was heavily disrupted. Just returning to full training on Monday, he now finds himself at the center of speculation about his availability for the upcoming practice matches against St Kilda and Greater Western Sydney, before they kick off their season against the Richmond Tigers on March 13.
Despite the injury concerns, Curnow's performance during match simulation had served as a positive indicator—he marked well and contributed effectively, offering glimpses of how instrumental he could be for the Blues this season. Athletic and fit-looking, he seemed ready to go: “Curnow did not look like a man who had missed much of the summer,” noted the AFL Briefing, recognizing his agility on the field during early drills.
Nonetheless, the broader picture for Carlton is worrisome, as they grapple with injury woes. Curnow is not the only player under scrutiny; seasoned midfield star Sam Walsh is still recovering from his own hamstring troubles, having been seen engaging in running drills apart from his teammates. The club is eager for Walsh to regain full strength, setting him up for the later stage of the pre-season. Their season opener against Richmond looms large, and the team is prioritizing long-term fitness over immediate match readiness.
With 2025 just around the corner, Carlton, which had faced significant challenges due to injuries last year, is now strategizing with caution. This planning likely reflects on the decisions they’ll make about Curnow. Having Curnow ready for September’s final push might outweigh concerns about rushing him back for March. After all, the last thing any team wants is to lose their key players to injury, especially someone who could dramatically affect their chances of finally breaking through the premiership drought.
Curnow, highlighted as pivotal for the Blues’ ambition of winning a championship this year, is emblematic of their hope. His ability to perform as expected on the field will be instrumental to the team's goal of claiming their first premiership since 1995.
Reflecting on this fact, many questions will linger as the pre-season progresses: Will Curnow be fit to take the field for their practice matched scheduled for next week? How will the medical team evaluate his situation leading up to the season kickoff? Will there be impacts on strategies against Richmond if he is unable to play?
What is certain is the collective breath of relief throughout the club, especially after medical reports concluded Curnow had suffered no damaging injury. Fans and teammates can only hope for continued positive reports and readiness from the star as Carlton repositions away from injuries of past seasons. The looming matches against St Kilda and GWS will be the next test, leading up to what everyone hopes to be Curnow’s breathtaking return to full playing condition.