Charlie Curnow has publicly acknowledged that the criticism he’s copped for his initial three outings with the Sydney Swans is “valid,” as he strives to make a significant impact at his new club. The 29-year-old’s relocation to Sydney was one of the most surprising trades in AFL history, with the Swans parting with three first-round draft selections, Will Hayward, and effectively Ollie Florent to secure the star forward. This significant investment signals the club’s all-in approach, viewing Curnow as the missing piece in their premiership aspirations, particularly after their grand final defeats in 2022 and 2024.
Early Season Struggles and Expert Scrutiny
Curnow’s start to the season has been under the microscope. In the Opening Round against his former club Carlton, he managed to kick three goals, capitalising on the game opening up late. However, outside of this late surge, his involvement was limited. The following week, he was held goalless in the Swans’ victory over Brisbane. His performance against Hawthorn proved even more challenging, with just one disposal recorded after halftime in a disappointing loss for the team.
Following this Hawthorn match, Essendon’s legendary goal-kicker, Matthew Lloyd, didn’t mince words, stating that Curnow hadn’t lived up to the lofty expectations placed upon him as a Swan.
“I haven’t seen Charlie take a strong mark in a Sydney Swans jumper yet,” Lloyd commented on 3AW. “He’s been disappointing. He wouldn’t even be in the top 200-300 players in the first three rounds. He’s been disappointing. I’m just being a realist. From what I’ve seen, you see the way Sam Darcy and Aaron Naughton fly for marks, he doesn’t have the capacity to do that. I thought with Errol Gulden, Chad Warner, and Isaac Heeney and the supply he would get… He played like a small forward (against Hawthorn). I’m pretty disappointed in what I’ve seen so far.”
Curnow’s Response: Acknowledging the Feedback
When directly addressed about this candid feedback, Curnow admitted it was difficult to hear but conceded that his performances needed to improve.
“I’m not exactly pumped (with my performances so far),” Curnow told Nine’s Wide World of Sports. “I want to grow in my game still and move a lot from here. I’m looking at what’s real from my game and of course, I’d like to take a few more big marks. I feel like my foundation is great. I feel awesome about the way I’m attacking it. I think I’ve started a few games well, and now it’s about putting four quarters together, as cliché and boring as it sounds. I’m enjoying the high-paced game the Swans are playing. I feel like once we all put it together as a group, it’s going to be really exciting footy. (The criticism) is probably pretty valid right now, yeah.”
The Shocking Trade and a New Beginning
Curnow’s departure from Carlton, which occurred in late 2025, came as a significant surprise. Drafted by the Blues in 2015, the club had shown considerable loyalty, supporting him through multiple seasons lost to complex knee injuries. He then found his form in 2022 and 2023, securing consecutive Coleman Medals and earning All-Australian selections in both years.
Curnow explained that the decision to leave Carlton was made swiftly, driven by a desire for a fresh start.
“I just felt like I needed a change,” he stated. “I was there for 10 years. To be honest, I gave it a fair crack, and I really enjoyed my time there. To be able to have a club interested in making a move… Being on the back end of my career, I know I’ve got a lot of good footy ahead of me, but being in the back end of the career, making a move now felt right and gives me time to make something cool here. Unfortunately, I had to make a pretty quick decision and move on, which was probably what led me to think it was the right time to make a change. When all is said and done, I think Carlton got a really good (deal), got some good players back. I think it’s come out positive (for both clubs).”
The Weight of Expectations
The substantial trade package required to acquire Curnow – three first-round picks, plus the departures of Hayward and Florent for both footballing and salary cap reasons – undoubtedly placed immense pressure on him to perform immediately. This was one of the most significant trade packages in AFL history, and Curnow acknowledges it adds an extra layer of expectation.
“I think it gives you a nice little kick up the backside to hit pre-season,” Curnow said. “For me personally, I just want to give the Swans all I’ve got. They’ve put a lot on the table for me, so I want to give that back. That’s a work in progress, but I guess it adds a little bit of pressure. It’s a nice pressure to get you going. In the end, we want to get that ultimate success, and I want to enjoy that with my new teammates here. That’s kind of at the back of your mind all the time.”
With the Swans on a bye this week, Curnow will have to wait until round four to make amends. Sydney is scheduled to face the West Coast Eagles at Optus Stadium on April 4th, where he’ll be looking to demonstrate his true capabilities.
