Collingwood Launches Audacious Bid to Land Charlie Curnow for 2026 and Beyond
In what shapes as one of the boldest recruiting moves of the decade, Collingwood has launched an audacious bid to lure Carlton superstar forward Charlie Curnow across town from 2026 and beyond. The reigning Coleman Medal winner, widely regarded as the most dominant key forward in the AFL, is now the subject of one of the fiercest tug-of-wars the game has seen in recent years.
The Pursuit of a Game-Changer
Sources close to the Magpies suggest that the club has quietly positioned itself over the past 12 months to make a serious play for Curnow, who remains contracted with the Blues until the end of 2025. By targeting the two-time Coleman Medalist, Collingwood is signaling its desire to extend its premiership window deep into the second half of the decade.
Curnow, 27, is considered a generational talent. Standing at 194cm with elite athleticism, he has the ability to single-handedly change the outcome of matches. For the Magpies, who have relied heavily on a spread of goalkickers in recent seasons, securing a spearhead of Curnow’s calibre would transform their forward structure and create matchup nightmares for opposition defenders.
Why Collingwood?
Collingwood’s resurgence under Craig McRae has made the club a prime destination for stars across the league. A 2023 premiership followed by deep finals campaigns in 2024 and 2025 has reaffirmed the Magpies as a powerhouse. With a massive supporter base, financial muscle, and state-of-the-art facilities, the black-and-white army can offer both on-field success and off-field opportunities unmatched by most clubs.
Reports indicate that the Magpies’ offer to Curnow would not only rival but potentially surpass his current Carlton deal. Beyond financial incentives, the prospect of playing alongside fellow stars such as Nick Daicos, Jordan De Goey, and Darcy Moore provides an irresistible footballing proposition.
Carlton’s Challenge
For Carlton, the thought of losing their marquee forward to their bitter rivals is almost unthinkable. Curnow has been the face of the club’s resurgence and has built a strong partnership with Harry McKay inside 50. Together, they have formed the most formidable key forward duo in the competition.
The Blues hierarchy, led by coach Michael Voss and CEO Brian Cook, are said to be preparing a counterstrategy to ensure Curnow remains a Blue for life. Loyalty, leadership opportunities, and the chance to deliver Carlton’s first premiership since 1995 will all form part of their retention pitch.
Yet, the pull of Collingwood’s stability and consistent success looms large. Carlton’s inconsistency, despite flashes of brilliance, has left fans questioning whether the Blues can convert talent into silverware quickly enough to satisfy Curnow’s ambitions.
The Domino Effect
Should Collingwood succeed in prising Curnow away, the move would have seismic implications across the AFL landscape. Carlton would be forced to reconfigure its entire forward line, while other clubs may swoop to pick off unsettled Blues talent.
For Collingwood, the addition of Curnow would arguably make them premiership favourites for multiple seasons. The Daicos brothers feeding the league’s premier key forward is a prospect that could tilt the balance of power firmly in the Magpies’ favour.
What Happens Next?
While Curnow is contracted until the end of 2025, the intensity of Collingwood’s pursuit suggests this saga will dominate headlines well before the 2026 season. Expect speculation to ramp up during trade periods, with the Magpies likely to clear salary cap space and make difficult list management decisions to fund the mega deal.
For now, Carlton fans will cling to the hope that their superstar stays loyal. But as AFL history has shown, loyalty is often tested when rival clubs come knocking with the promise of glory, riches, and legacy.
What is certain is that Collingwood’s bold play has lit a fire under the AFL’s player movement landscape. If Charlie Curnow dons the black and white stripes in 2026, it won’t just be a transfer—it will be a sporting earthquake.
