A clash against his former club will unfold in Charlie Curnow‘s first-ever game in new colours next year – and the ex-Carlton gun is not surprised by that scheduling.
Curnow was at the centre of one of the biggest trade deals at the end of this season, confirming he would be joining the Swans for the next four years on deadline day.
The Swans secured the key forward at the expense of Will Hayward and three first-round picks, while Carlton offered three later second-round picks with Curnow.
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Curnow’s first match against his former club was always going to gain mass attention from the AFL sphere, with fans not having to wait long for that clash to happen.
In fact, Curnow admits he joked with his now ex-teammates that the 2026 AFL draw would see the Swans face Carlton in Opening Round.
“I actually thought we were going to play them six times,” he laughed, speaking to reporters.
“I thought the AFL would’ve been trying to make as much money [as it could].”
Sydney Swans recruit Charlie Curnow speaks to Nine. Nine
Curnow added: “Nah, it didn’t surprise me.
“I was talking to a few of the boys from Carlton about the possibility of playing them in the opening round. Turns out that the AFL did it in the end.”
Curnow’s involvement in the game will not be the only storyline talked about in the build-up, with Carlton recruits Ollie Florent and Hayward also set to face their former team.
Charlie Curnow in action at the Sydney Swans preseason training. Nine
Still, for the new Swans recruit, he is excited to continue developing his skills in the game, especially given this is his first time in preseason in two years.
“To have my body feeling good … it is always nice going into a preseason where you can run around, go have a surf and play some footy,” Curnow, who has been injured over the past two pre-seasons at Carlton, said.
As for what it is like connecting with his new teammates, Curnow had a simple response.
“It’s kind of like starting off at a new school again,” he said.
“Going into work with a new bunch of people, new coaches, new players. It is pretty fun.
“It is something completely different to be able to change up my whole life and experience something else.”