Coleman medallist Charlie Curnow says a casual flick across channels to Taylor Walker’s clash with West Coast meant the equation for the award was in the back of his mind on Sunday night against GWS.
Curnow claimed back-to-back Colemans with the second of his third goals in Carlton’s loss to the Giants and is confident the Blues will be a “dangerous” opponent heading into their first finals series since 2013.
Carlton will play Sydney in an elimination final at the MCG on Friday, September 8, with Curnow backing his side to bounce back quickly from the Giants defeat, which came after nine consecutive wins.
“It was a bit of a weird feeling after the game but such a great last 10 weeks that the boys have put together,” Curnow said.
“(Sunday) wasn’t where we wanted to be as a team, but if you think about the last 10 weeks it’s been amazing.”
Curnow said he did not usually watch AFL games the night before his team played but strayed from his routine to catch part of Walker’s nine-goal haul against the Eagles that briefly threatened his reign as Coleman medallist.
He started the Giants clash one goal behind the former Adelaide captain’s 75 for the season, but two quick goals secured back-to-back medals for the 26-year-old by quarter time.
“I tried to avoid it – I did know Tex kicked a few (on Saturday night) … I tried to avoid watching the Adelaide game or watch any footy at all because I don’t normally watch too much footy the night before a game, but I did flick it across at one point,” Curnow said.
“I hate to say it, (but) it was in the back of my mind even though we were trying to get the result.
“Back-to-back sounds pretty cool … it’s an individual award, but a lot of people who come in behind me and support me to win these things.”
Curnow will be presented with the Coleman Medal at the AFL awards on Wednesday night when the All-Australian team will be named and the winner of the Rising Star award crowned, along with the AFL Players’ Association and Coaches Association honours.
The awards will be broadcast live on Fox Footy from 7pm.
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