Ed Curnow | 2020 Season Review

Written by Joseph Addamo

Throughout the 2020 off-season, Blue Abroad will be providing content to cover everything you need to know about the Carlton Football Club.

After a largely improved season, we will be reviewing every player that pulled on the famous Navy Blue guernsey in 2020.

This is the Blue Abroad Player Review for Carlton’s #35 – Ed Curnow.

SEASON SYNOPSIS

For years, Ed Curnow has been Carlton’s midfield bull that just gets it done week-in-week-out. Whether he’s tasked with a tagging role or out to hunt his own ball, Carlton fans know what they are going to get from Ed, and 2020 was no different.

Among midfielders, Curnow ranked elite in kicks per game (12.5) and tackles (5.2). He also ranked above average for inside 50s (3.8), metres gained (308.3), contested possessions (9.1), ground ball gets (6.8), clearances (4.2) and pressure acts (17).

Curnow has now missed just one game since the beginning of 2018, highlighting his durability and consistency. His influence and leadership among the current crop of midfielders was as important as any other player across the 2020 season.

BEST PERFORMANCE

There were a handful of games that stood out for Ed in 2020. His 2 Brownlow vote performance against North Melbourne where he had 10 tackles and 6 clearances, as well as his BOG performance vs. the Western Bulldogs where he kicked a goal and had 7 clearances are among these games. However, his 33 disposals in that game vs. Fremantle are hard to go past as his best overall game for the season.

He had game highs in disposals, kicks (21), clearances (10), inside 50s (6) and metres gained (536) while also adding 4 tackles, 4 score involvements and 16 contested possessions in tough, wet conditions. Surprisingly, regardless of his obvious influence in and under in the midfield all night, Curnow did not poll a single Brownlow vote in this game. He did poll a perfect 10 AFLCA votes, however, capping off a brilliant night in the West for Ed.

OFF-SEASON & 2021 OUTLOOK

Along with 10 other players in the aftermath of the 2020 season, Curnow signed a one-year contract extension to play on at Carlton in 2021. Entering his 11th season in the AFL at 31 years of age, Curnow will look to tick off the 200-game milestone if all goes according to plan next season.

Ed’s ambition to continue with the group to achieve the ultimate success is clearly evident, and while entering their 30s for many players could be considered the “twilight” of their careers, there’s no signs of slowing down for Curnow yet:

We’ve experienced a lot as a group over the last few years… we’ve got a long way to go to get to where we want to be (but) we are up for that challenge. - Ed Curnow

Here’s to another year in Navy Blue, Ed!

2020 REPORT CARD RATING

B

STATUS HEADING INTO 2021

Consistent Senior Player