In a pulsating finals encounter at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Blue Charlie Curnow produced an absolutely scintillating display. His match-winning deeds inspired Carlton to a gritty win over St Kilda. Curnow continued to display his talent through the entire game. Alongside Velasco, Burne went on to be an ever-present menace on the pitch, causing major headaches for Saints defender Cal Wilkie. The match was seen as a nadir for the Blues. Curnow lit a fire under his teammates and the crowd, re-energizing a lackluster half-time performance.
Curnow came under fire from Wilkie from the outset. Wilkie dogged him the entire time, as though he was trying to put him on like a glove. Curnow continued to show his craft, dangerously dancing through pressure and winning a free kick just four minutes in. Throughout all that pressure, he made his talent known on the field. This created the mood for an intense individual duel between the two players, with Curnow hellbent on proving his superiority.
As the opening term wore on, Curnow started to get the better of Wilkie in important overhead duels. The highlight, of course, came on his own 50m arc as Curnow announced his aerial quality with a beautiful contested grab. It was an amazing one handed mark that wowed every footy fan to realise just how good he was. This moment became a crossroads for Carlton.
Curnow’s Impact on the Game
Curnow’s impact on the pitch completely changed the game. His performance ignited the Blues, making them look like a completely different team compared to their previous outings this season. From the first touch of the ball, you could see him lifting the belief and buzz of his teammates. The 59,000 strong MCG crowd went apeshit, mainly because Curnow has a bit of a rep for getting them going with a performance like that.
Putting Wilkie to try and stop Curnow was a head-scratcher for St Kilda. And once the match opened up, you could tell that Curnow was determined to tear the game to shreds. His focus was evident as he cooly drilled a set shot. This important finish brought Carlton his first lead of the evening and highlighted both his finishing skills and poise in crunch time.
With 16 contested possessions and six score involvements, Jack Silvagni was the glue to make sure Curnow had scoring opportunities. He sent Curnow a beautiful short kick inside 50, an example of the chemistry that’s growing in Carlton’s forward line. Curnow took the opportunity at drew a breakaway to score his third goal of the night. This not only doubled Carlton’s lead but further crowned his powerful effect on the encounter.
Key Moments and Goals
Curnow left his best and most memorable moment on stage. He turned immediately and fired a mammoth goal from over 50m. This goal did more than demonstrate the young midfielder’s kicking prowess — it sent shockwaves of excitement throughout the packed crowd. Every time he retrieved the ball, his persistence and defiance came vividly to life. He was looking to change the game in a big way.
Curnow’s poise to play on the defensive side of the ball and wiggle his way through traffic was special. He consistently positioned himself well during critical moments, making it difficult for Wilkie to contain him effectively. He continued finding the net and setting up his teammates for their scoring chances. It didn’t take long to realize he was the focal point of Carlton’s offensive game plan.
The Blues’ resurgence has understandably been credited to Curnow’s dogged desire to win the footy at all costs. His extraordinary performance did not just result in personal accolades, but elevated the collective mood of the often demoralized team. Teammates rallied around him, discovering their inspiration and motivation in his play and energy.
