Curnow ‘raised’ trade, but Suns can’t see it happening

8 hours ago 5

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Gold Coast have not spoken to Carlton superstar Charlie Curnow despite the forward’s reported interest in joining the Suns.

Gold Coast was sceptical about their ability to do a trade for Curnow given they expected to have little draft capital this year – due to academy recruits that would swallow their picks – and no scope to accommodate a player on Curnow’s $1 million-plus wage for the next four years, according a Suns source with knowledge of the Curnow situation speaking off record.

Nine News reported that Curnow, 28, raised with the Blues that he was open to a trade with the Suns, but that Carlton had shut down any prospect of trading the two-time Coleman medallist. His willingness to be traded is said to have now piqued the interest of other clubs.

Curnow has had a challenging year at the under-performing Blues, having endured surgeries during the pre-season that set back his campaign.

Carlton’s performances and injuries also have made it harder for Curnow, who often has been the sole dangerous forward in attack as his teammate Harry McKay has often been grounded.

The Suns would need to trade out an expensive player to pay Curnow, and they arguably have little need for a player in his position as key forward given they have Ben King, who has next year to run on his contract and will then be a free agent and talented young key forward Jed Walter.

The Curnow situation comes as Carlton faces likely change in their football department, with incoming chief executive Graham Wright looking closely at the football program.

Senior coach Michael Voss’s position has not been guaranteed beyond this season despite a contract for 2026, but Wright is examining far more than just the coach and his assistants.

Carlton are already bracing for the potential exit of free agent Tom De Koning to St Kilda on one of the biggest contracts in AFL history, and have yet to secure key defender Jack Silvagni, whom Collingwood have expressed interest in.

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