Curnow's 10-goal quest proved good theatre for everyone

By: Justin Chadwick Time published 2023-04-30 at 06:00 AM (GMT +10:00)

Carlton forward Charlie Curnow has fallen just short of a 10-goal haul, but his heroics against West Coast had everyone fascinated.

CHARLIE CURNOW of the Blues is tackled by Charlie Dickson of the Power during the AFL match between the Port Adelaide Power and thew Carlton Blues at Adelaide Oval in Adelaide, Australia.
CHARLIE CURNOW of the Blues is tackled by Charlie Dickson of the Power during the AFL match between the Port Adelaide Power and thew Carlton Blues at Adelaide Oval in Adelaide, Australia. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

Carlton coach Michael Voss says even he was caught up in the theatre of Charlie Curnow's quest for a 10-goal haul against West Coast, but he quickly switched back to the team-first ethos after the match.

Curnow booted a career-high nine goals in the Blues' 108-point thumping of West Coast on Saturday night.

Blues players tried desperately to get the ball to Curnow in the last quarter to help him get his 10th goal in the 23.14 (152) to 6.8 (44) win.

The situation became so obvious that Harry McKay tried to chip the ball to Curnow after taking a mark despite being well within goal-kicking range.

The late efforts failed to produce results, with West Coast double teaming Curnow at times to ensure he didn't make it to 10 goals.

Voss normally has a strict team-first mantra, but even he could allow a bend in the rules in the dying minutes of the match.

"It's pretty exciting," Voss said.

"Even for a coach that wants to continue to do the right things, I can lower my guard for a little bit in the last five minutes.

"The boys came up and said, 'I hope you don't mind'.

"By then, there is theatre in it, to be able to have a player able to kick 10.

"Clearly, West Coast were very mindful of it as well, because they were trying everything they could do to stop it."

Curnow has kicked 30 goals across the first seven rounds, putting him well on track to eclipse the 64 majors he booted last year.

Voss was thrilled with the display of Curnow against West Coast, but he was even more proud of the team effort that allowed the Blues to pile on 23 goals and snap a two-match losing streak.

"While we might be Charlie focused going forward, I'm certainly not going to be," Voss said.

"I felt it was a fantastic team performance. A lot of people played their roles to allow that to happen.

"We balanced our game style a little more, which is what we've been working on really hard the last few weeks.

"We weren't as one dimensional. We have to use this as a launching pad for the season."

Carlton's hopes of snapping their nine-year finals drought will receive a huge test next Friday night when they host in-form Brisbane at Marvel Stadium.