
Blues star Curnow responds to AFL trade rumours
Curnow has this week been linked to Gold Coast, Sydney and Geelong as the Blues limp towards the end of a horror season.
But the 28-year-old on Thursday night denied reports he had sought a move away from Ikon Park.
"I obviously want to be here," Curnow told reporters after the Blues' 13.7 (85) to 9.7 (61) defeat to Hawthorn.
"I don't really want to make this about me right now, but I'm playing at Carlton next year. There you go. Done."
A two-time Coleman Medal winner, Curnow has another four years left to run on his lucrative deal with Carlton.
Blues coach Michael Voss said the spearhead's future had not been a talking point internally this week, while Curnow rubbished reports he had told the club he is keen to explore his options.
"No, nothing has happened," Curnow said.
"I'm just putting all of my time into playing footy at this club for the next year and the future years."
Carlton will miss the finals for the first time since 2022, sitting 12th with a 7-12 record.
The slide down the ladder has cast doubt over Voss' future as coach, and comes in a year when long-suffering Blues fans had dared to dream of the club ending a 30-year premiership drought.
Curnow said he appreciated the frustration Carlton supporters are feeling, but urged them to stay the course.
"It's a hard one to cop for them, I know," Curnow said.
"Just grow with us, have fun with us. We're trying hard out there.
"We do really want to have a crack for them. Just stick with us and something good will happen."
Curnow has kicked 32 goals in 18 games this year, failing to reclaim his best form after undergoing knee and ankle surgeries during the pre-season.
"That probably lingered around at the start of the season for me," he said.
"I tried to find my feet, but I feel like as a team we haven't really found our feet also. That's been obvious."
Curnow had a brief moment of enjoyment after the Hawthorn loss, when retiring stalwart Sam Docherty and 200-game defender Jacob Weitering were chaired off the MCG.
Carlton captain Patrick Cripps joined Hawks assistant coach and former Blues teammate Kade Simpson in hoisting Docherty onto their shoulders.
"It's nice to be able to enjoy something like tonight," Curnow said.
"It was a pretty awesome moment with Kade Simpson coming off at the boundary. It was pretty good to watch."

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The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Star Dockers mid injured in comeback win over Carlton
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir is optimistic Hayden Young's groin injury isn't serious after the star midfielder lasted less than a quarter in his team's 27-point comeback win over Carlton at Optus Stadium. The Blues registered the first four goals of the match and still led by eight points at the final change before Fremantle kicked seven goals to one in a blistering last quarter to seal the 15.4 (94) to 10.7 (67) win in front of 39,358 fans. Isaiah Dudley and Patrick Voss kicked two goals each in the final quarter onslaught, with the win improving Fremantle's record to 14-6 and keeping them just percentage adrift of fourth-placed Geelong. Young injured his left groin late in the first quarter and was subbed out after being assessed on the bench. The 24-year-old Young was playing just his third match back from hamstring surgery, and his latest setback is a massive blow with the finals little more than a month away. "Touch wood, it's not too bad. It doesn't look very serious. He just couldn't get going," Longmuir said. "I think today's injury was just a bit unlucky and a bit more of a twisting action." Carlton were also dealt injury blows. Blues youngster Harry O'Farrell, just minutes after kicking his first AFL goal in the second quarter, suffered a suspected ACL tear in his left knee after landing awkwardly in a marking contest. "Shattering news for us and in particular him," Carlton coach Michael Voss said of O'Farrell, the No.40 pick from last year's national draft. "The highs and lows of football - it's got a great way of being able to lift you up, and it's got a very nasty way of being able to bring you down as well. "We've been so impressed with the young man, and he's going to evolve in a very good play for us." Defender Adam Saad was left groggy and with blood pouring from his nose in the dying minutes after an accidental shin to the face from Andrew Brayshaw. Fremantle's trio of spearheads Voss, Josh Treacy and Jye Amiss kicked three goals apiece in a potent attack, while Luke Jackson tallied 27 disposals, eight clearances, one goal and 18 hitouts in a huge display. Dockers defender Jordan Clark racked up 30 possessions and 759m gained, and star midfielder Caleb Serong (19 disposals, eight clearances) fought back from a quiet first half under a tight tag from Cooper Lord. George Hewett starred for Carlton with 36 disposals and seven clearances but was quelled somewhat after half-time by Jaeger O'Meara, while Patrick Cripps (36 disposals, nine clearances) tried his best to will the Blues over the line. The scoreboard read 24-0 to Carlton before the most unlikely goal-kicker on the field - Fremantle defender Oscar McDonald - put the Dockers on the board after Tom De Koning coughed up a 50m penalty. Carlton's early onslaught came courtesy of their clearance dominance and intense tackling pressure. The Blues won the centre clearances 11-1 in the first half, helping them to a 24-point lead. Hewett had 25 disposals and seven clearances to his name by the long break. In contrast, Serong had just five possessions and two clearances. Fremantle made their move in the third quarter with four goals to one - including two to Amiss - to close the margin to eight points at the final change. Treacy was huge in the fightback, with his attack on the ball and powerful marking crucial. The bustling spearhead nailed a set shot from 50m to put Fremantle ahead early in the final term, and the onslaught continued from there. Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir is optimistic Hayden Young's groin injury isn't serious after the star midfielder lasted less than a quarter in his team's 27-point comeback win over Carlton at Optus Stadium. The Blues registered the first four goals of the match and still led by eight points at the final change before Fremantle kicked seven goals to one in a blistering last quarter to seal the 15.4 (94) to 10.7 (67) win in front of 39,358 fans. Isaiah Dudley and Patrick Voss kicked two goals each in the final quarter onslaught, with the win improving Fremantle's record to 14-6 and keeping them just percentage adrift of fourth-placed Geelong. Young injured his left groin late in the first quarter and was subbed out after being assessed on the bench. The 24-year-old Young was playing just his third match back from hamstring surgery, and his latest setback is a massive blow with the finals little more than a month away. "Touch wood, it's not too bad. It doesn't look very serious. He just couldn't get going," Longmuir said. "I think today's injury was just a bit unlucky and a bit more of a twisting action." Carlton were also dealt injury blows. Blues youngster Harry O'Farrell, just minutes after kicking his first AFL goal in the second quarter, suffered a suspected ACL tear in his left knee after landing awkwardly in a marking contest. "Shattering news for us and in particular him," Carlton coach Michael Voss said of O'Farrell, the No.40 pick from last year's national draft. "The highs and lows of football - it's got a great way of being able to lift you up, and it's got a very nasty way of being able to bring you down as well. "We've been so impressed with the young man, and he's going to evolve in a very good play for us." Defender Adam Saad was left groggy and with blood pouring from his nose in the dying minutes after an accidental shin to the face from Andrew Brayshaw. Fremantle's trio of spearheads Voss, Josh Treacy and Jye Amiss kicked three goals apiece in a potent attack, while Luke Jackson tallied 27 disposals, eight clearances, one goal and 18 hitouts in a huge display. Dockers defender Jordan Clark racked up 30 possessions and 759m gained, and star midfielder Caleb Serong (19 disposals, eight clearances) fought back from a quiet first half under a tight tag from Cooper Lord. George Hewett starred for Carlton with 36 disposals and seven clearances but was quelled somewhat after half-time by Jaeger O'Meara, while Patrick Cripps (36 disposals, nine clearances) tried his best to will the Blues over the line. The scoreboard read 24-0 to Carlton before the most unlikely goal-kicker on the field - Fremantle defender Oscar McDonald - put the Dockers on the board after Tom De Koning coughed up a 50m penalty. Carlton's early onslaught came courtesy of their clearance dominance and intense tackling pressure. The Blues won the centre clearances 11-1 in the first half, helping them to a 24-point lead. Hewett had 25 disposals and seven clearances to his name by the long break. In contrast, Serong had just five possessions and two clearances. Fremantle made their move in the third quarter with four goals to one - including two to Amiss - to close the margin to eight points at the final change. Treacy was huge in the fightback, with his attack on the ball and powerful marking crucial. The bustling spearhead nailed a set shot from 50m to put Fremantle ahead early in the final term, and the onslaught continued from there. Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir is optimistic Hayden Young's groin injury isn't serious after the star midfielder lasted less than a quarter in his team's 27-point comeback win over Carlton at Optus Stadium. The Blues registered the first four goals of the match and still led by eight points at the final change before Fremantle kicked seven goals to one in a blistering last quarter to seal the 15.4 (94) to 10.7 (67) win in front of 39,358 fans. Isaiah Dudley and Patrick Voss kicked two goals each in the final quarter onslaught, with the win improving Fremantle's record to 14-6 and keeping them just percentage adrift of fourth-placed Geelong. Young injured his left groin late in the first quarter and was subbed out after being assessed on the bench. The 24-year-old Young was playing just his third match back from hamstring surgery, and his latest setback is a massive blow with the finals little more than a month away. "Touch wood, it's not too bad. It doesn't look very serious. He just couldn't get going," Longmuir said. "I think today's injury was just a bit unlucky and a bit more of a twisting action." Carlton were also dealt injury blows. Blues youngster Harry O'Farrell, just minutes after kicking his first AFL goal in the second quarter, suffered a suspected ACL tear in his left knee after landing awkwardly in a marking contest. "Shattering news for us and in particular him," Carlton coach Michael Voss said of O'Farrell, the No.40 pick from last year's national draft. "The highs and lows of football - it's got a great way of being able to lift you up, and it's got a very nasty way of being able to bring you down as well. "We've been so impressed with the young man, and he's going to evolve in a very good play for us." Defender Adam Saad was left groggy and with blood pouring from his nose in the dying minutes after an accidental shin to the face from Andrew Brayshaw. Fremantle's trio of spearheads Voss, Josh Treacy and Jye Amiss kicked three goals apiece in a potent attack, while Luke Jackson tallied 27 disposals, eight clearances, one goal and 18 hitouts in a huge display. Dockers defender Jordan Clark racked up 30 possessions and 759m gained, and star midfielder Caleb Serong (19 disposals, eight clearances) fought back from a quiet first half under a tight tag from Cooper Lord. George Hewett starred for Carlton with 36 disposals and seven clearances but was quelled somewhat after half-time by Jaeger O'Meara, while Patrick Cripps (36 disposals, nine clearances) tried his best to will the Blues over the line. The scoreboard read 24-0 to Carlton before the most unlikely goal-kicker on the field - Fremantle defender Oscar McDonald - put the Dockers on the board after Tom De Koning coughed up a 50m penalty. Carlton's early onslaught came courtesy of their clearance dominance and intense tackling pressure. The Blues won the centre clearances 11-1 in the first half, helping them to a 24-point lead. Hewett had 25 disposals and seven clearances to his name by the long break. In contrast, Serong had just five possessions and two clearances. Fremantle made their move in the third quarter with four goals to one - including two to Amiss - to close the margin to eight points at the final change. Treacy was huge in the fightback, with his attack on the ball and powerful marking crucial. The bustling spearhead nailed a set shot from 50m to put Fremantle ahead early in the final term, and the onslaught continued from there.


Perth Now
4 hours ago
- Perth Now
Star Dockers mid injured in comeback win over Carlton
Star midfielder Hayden Young is set for another frustrating stint on the sidelines after injuring his groin in Fremantle's 27-point comeback win over Carlton at Optus Stadium. Carlton kicked the first four goals of the match and still led by eight points at the final change before Fremantle kicked seven goals to one in a blistering last quarter to seal the 15.4 (94) to 10.7 (67) win in front of 39,358 fans. Isaiah Dudley and Patrick Voss kicked two goals each in the final-quarter comeback, with the win improving Fremantle's record to 14-6 and keeping them just percentage adrift of fourth-placed Geelong. Young was injured late in the first quarter and subbed out after being assessed on the bench. Defender Adam Saad was left groggy and with blood pouring from his nose in the dying minutes after an accidental shin to the face from Andrew Brayshaw. Fremantle's trio of spearheads Voss, Josh Treacy and Jye Amiss kicked three goals apiece in a potent attack, while Luke Jackson tallied 27 disposals, eight clearances, one goal and 18 hitouts in a huge display. Dockers defender Jordan Clark racked up 30 possessions and 759m gained, and star midfielder Caleb Serong (19 disposals, eight clearances) fought back from a quiet first half under a tight tag from Cooper Lord. George Hewett starred for Carlton with 36 disposals and seven clearances, while Patrick Cripps (36 disposals, nine clearances) also had a huge impact. Fremantle kicked with the aid of a strong breeze in the opening quarter but failed to capitalise. The Dockers' first inside 50m didn't arrive until the 11-minute mark, and it needed a four-bounce effort from Clark to make it happen. The scoreboard read 24-0 to Carlton before the most unlikely man on the field to kick a goal - Fremantle defender Oscar McDonald - put the Dockers on the board after Tom De Koning coughed up a 50m penalty. Carlton's early onslaught came courtesy of their clearance dominance and intense tackling pressure. A late goal to Treacy reduced the margin to 18 points at quarter time, but Carlton's clearance dominance continued in the second term. Carlton won the centre clearances 11-1 in the first half, helping them to a 24-point lead. Hewett had 25 disposals and seven clearances to his name by the long break. In contrast, Serong had just five possessions and two clearances. Pat Voss got the perfect sit ✈️#AFLFreoBlues AFL (@AFL) August 3, 2025 Fremantle made their move in the third quarter with four goals to one - including two to Amiss - to close the margin to eight points at the final change. Treacy was huge in the fightback, with his attack on the ball and powerful marking proving crucial. The bustling spearhead nailed a set shot from 50m to put Fremantle ahead early in the final term, and when Dudley dribbled one through at the 14-minute mark, Fremantle had an 11-point edge. Controversy erupted when Blues forward Corey Durdin was paid a mark despite the ball not appearing to travel the required 15m, with the subsequent goal reducing the margin to four points with seven minutes remaining. But when Dudley popped up for his second and Voss nailed a clutch set shot a short time later, Fremantle were home.


Perth Now
6 hours ago
- Perth Now
Fresh injury concern for luckless Dockers star
Luckless Fremantle star Hayden Young is facing a fresh injury concern, with the gun midfielder withdrawn from the Dockers' clash with Carlton after the opening quarter due to a groin issue. Having started on the bench, Young played just 30 per cent of the opening term after coming to the bench midway through the quarter. He spent time on the medical bench under the attention of a Fremantle physio, before taking part in a brief and slow run-through on the field at quarter-time. But the 24-year-old failed to get the tick of approval and was swapped out for sub Neil Erasmus as the second term began. Young starred for Fremantle in his first start since returning as the substitute a week prior, snaring the Glendinning-Allan Medal as best afield in his side's western derby win. He finished third in the Dockers' best-and-fairest last year and looms as a key to Freo's finals push, but will now face a nervous wait to see the severity of his injury. Young's setback came as Fremantle made a sluggish start to their home clash with struggling Carlton. The Dockers trailed 5.0 (30) to 2.0 (12) at the first change, with Caleb Serong well held early and the Blues' midfield on top in difficult blustery conditions at Optus Stadium. More to come