The Curnow Gamble

There is no reward without risk.

This is a situation the Sydney Swans know all-too-well. No strangers to moving heaven and earth to bring a superstar forward into the team, the Swans did it again at the conclusion of the 2025 AFL Trade Period, and landed arguably the biggest fish of the trade period.

With Charlie Curnow coming out of the goal square, suddenly, the Swans look more potent.

And that should send fear up the spines of defensive coaches all over the league.

In recent seasons, Sydney has attempted to fill the post-Lance Franklin void with talented youngsters, but the inconsistency in these players, and the injuries they’ve suffered, have left Sydney short-handed up forward.

They’re no longer short-handed.

In fact, they seem a bit top-heavy, all of a sudden.

How do the Swans go about utilising all four of their big forwards, with the best key forward of the past five years amongst them? And what do they do if Charlie’s knees don’t hold up?

It creates an intriguing situation.

 

 

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