Rumour Bluemour Discussion XL - ‘Silly Season’ in full swing 😱

[Aphrodite]

#BUMP from February


Re: 'Alleged' rumours resurfacing ...

Folks, this is the way things are here.

Posters are responsible for what they post. Moderators can not attest to the accuracy or otherwise of any rumour posted.

Moderators will intervene for a couple of reasons.

1. If a thread is threatening to be derailed because of a post.

2. If invested parties request the removal of material.

None of this draws a conclusion as to the accuracy or otherwise of the original post.

There is no need to further speculate. What will be will be.

Also, you need to remember that this thread like all parts of this forum is bound by the rules of poster conduct. If you want to express skepticism towards a rumour that's fine, but having a crack at posters who are contributors to this forum is simply not on and will be acted upon.

Simply put, don't be a dick.

Thanks all!

 

[Dominator_7]

The words "Charlie is desperate to leave" is pure media fluff.

All along his angle has been, if something can be done great, otherwise he was happy to stay.

Guaranteed it’s his idiot managers words to the media, thinking it’ll scare the club.
It’s not working.

 

[Blue__Balls]

Florent, Chesser, Khamis aren't taking Carlton up the ladder.

Absolutely. Almost as crazy as suggesting that recruiting Isaac Cumming, Alex Neal-Bullen and James Peatling could take Adelaide from 15th to minor premiers! As if that would ever happen!

Ian, nobody is suggesting that those three players are going to come in, dominate, and propel us up the ladder.

People are, sensibly, understanding that our list is built to play a very particular and somewhat inefficient brand of football, and that some budget acquisitions with particular traits or skills can offer enough diversity in the list to allow us to play a faster paced and more direct transition game. Chesser, Florent and Khamis don't need to be winning Brownlows and Norm Smiths and B&Fs to have a positive impact.

Our improvement will come from addressing some gaps in the skillset of our playing group, adjusting the gameplan to accommodate and utilise some of those new players, and then having the playing group collectively pull their heads out of their arses and understand that you don't get anywhere in this league unless you're prepared to fight tooth and nail for two and half hours once a week. No 3 weeks of list management brilliance is going to paper over a half-committed paying group - it's either the players buy in fully, or we have to spend 4-5 years transitioning the list away from that core group again.

 

[swuzzlebubble]

Absolutely. Almost as crazy as suggesting that recruiting Isaac Cumming, Alex Neal-Bullen and James Peatling could take Adelaide from 15th to minor premiers! As if that would ever happen!

Ian, nobody is suggesting that those three players are going to come in, dominate, and propel us up the ladder.

People are, sensibly, understanding that our list is built to play a very particular and somewhat inefficient brand of football, and that some budget acquisitions with particular traits or skills can offer enough diversity in the list to allow us to play a faster paced and more direct transition game. Chesser, Florent and Khamis don't need to be winning Brownlows and Norm Smiths and B&Fs to have a positive impact.

Our improvement will come from addressing some gaps in the skillset of our playing group, adjusting the gameplan to accommodate and utilise some of those new players, and then having the playing group collectively pull their heads out of their arses and understand that you don't get anywhere in this league unless you're prepared to fight tooth and nail for two and half hours once a week.

Plus these guys might not win us games but they might help prevent us losing a few if injuries means we'd be otherwise exposed for lack of depth.

 

[morningbrown]

I think people need to seriously temper their expectations on what we'll get back for Charlie. And the talk of letting him rot in the twos is absolute idiocy and I'm glad some of you don't run the club.

 

[Premiership Quarter]

It's about raising the floor of the list, lack of depth was a clear issue last season and cutting too deep last off-season has been acknowledged by the club. Florent would be a starting 22 player, Khamis probably is an 18-22 player and Chesser is an unknown. They have attributes we lack and raise the level of the depth.

Florent has good run and has very good skill. His issue is staying in the game as he can drift out, but ball in hand he'd be a very good addition. Khamis has great athletecism, similarly can go missing, but has the athletic profile we lack. Chesser, at least on paper, has exactly the skillset we want - pace and skill in midfield. It remains to be seen if he can stay fit and meet his potential, but it's a low risk-high reward move for a guy that has attributes we need.

The old saying "a rising tide lifts all ships" is the approach. No one should expect them to come in and be the new top 3 in our BnF. They're targeted additions that have skills and attributes we currently lack that will lift the bottom of the list, which is smart recruiting imo. Add CJ to that potentially, not perfect but his profile is one that we don't have a lot of.

So what your saying is bringing in a few guys that have a tendency to drift in and out of the game is a good thing. That's already most of our team right now.

 

[Blue_Fusion]

The words "Charlie is desperate to leave" is pure media fluff.

All along his angle has been, if something can be done great, otherwise he was happy to stay.

So why was he investigating a trade in May then? Doesn't sound like a player who's "happy to stay" to me...

 

[TheBlueCampaigner]

Guaranteed it’s his idiot managers words to the media, thinking it’ll scare the club.
It’s not working.

this is not GW’s first rodeo.

 

[Moon]

Interesting times for Carlton

Voss needs to improve the team otherwise it is likely to be his last. Hard to imagine a contract renewal if Carlton are still languishing in the bottom 8. Also hard to imagine being good enough for a finals birth.

Can't see the punters around here accepting 12th on the ladder in 2026 without the urge to tar & feather ol' mate Vossy.

Excuses will be plentiful for Motlop, Durdin, Khamis and CJ for ordinary form if Austin gets it wrong again and recruits sizzle (athleticism) with no substance ... but not much sympathy for Voss who isn't a Cat, so no 7 lives remaining for him, having escaped the plank on the Black Pearl thanks to GW.

It's hard to imagine Carlton rising up the ladder ... so a tough Gig for Vossy next season.

As they say ... Nothing worth having comes easily.

 

[The Bighouse]

Thank you for posting this. I was shaking my head reading the meaningless stats.

When we played our most meaningful footy in the last 20 years - second half of 2023 - McKay was sidelined for half of it and we won every game that he missed. Then won the final against Melbourne without him again.

Does that mean that we're better off without Harry or without one of the two in the team?

No.

And we were without Curnow in finals too…

 

[branedotorg]

The words "Charlie is desperate to leave" is pure media fluff.

All along his angle has been, if something can be done great, otherwise he was happy to stay.

He's not exactly winning hearts and minds if his team are putting out such scorched earth messaging.

 

[GoBlues!]

The words "Charlie is desperate to leave" is pure media fluff.

All along his angle has been, if something can be done great, otherwise he was happy to stay.

I think it’s his manager out there spreading this stuff to the media to generate interest.

First it was Charlie didn’t get along with Voss, then it changed to wanting a lifestyle change, then it was to get out of the Victorian Melbourne bubble.

And it’s always prefixed with “my understanding…”

Veteran journalist Caroline Wilson detailed on Channel 7 how determined Curnow was to get out of the Blues, suggesting his and Voss’ relationship was “not great”.

“My understanding is Charlie Curnow is so keen to get out of Carlton – he wants a four-year deal continued, like the deal he has at Carlton – that he is happy to play for less money,” Wilson told Channel 7.

‘Doesn’t want to play for him’: Shock Curnow reveal as Blues star meets with rival coach

‘Doesn’t want to play for him’: Shock Curnow reveal as Blues star meets with rival coach

www.foxsports.com.au

 

[No1Suspect]

I wonder if we could somehow convince west coast to trade their 2026 1st to us for our 2025 and 2027 1st? If we could somehow manufacture a move to get ahead of a Cody bid, that would be huge. Maybe throw Lij in there as well?

 

[The Bighouse]

Question, has it been announced yet whether we can still go into deficit re father son selections? If so, I’d be in inclined to use our first and second on Cody next year and if it means our first in 27 is pushed out, so be it. By this stage we will have completely reset our list and will have 3-5 young gun potential stars (Smith, Dean, Walker, Ison, HOF) coming through on top of some already promising youth (Cowan, Hollands, Carrol, Lord, Moir, Motlop, Campos).

Think you’ll spin a wheel to find out what rule applies to F/S rulings at your pick…10% off. Deficit card. 2 for 1. No bid..

 

[The Bighouse]

Not sure Charlie cares too much about greatness .. he’s not made in the MJ, Kobe or LeBron mode. He’s a naturally gifted athlete, relaxed guy, I’m sure he has pride in his performance but he’s not manic like the real greats and he never really will be. He’s still a great player but at 29 with the injuries he’s had and the natural tendencies he has I’m not banking on him having a personality and mindset adjustment if he stays. He can still kick 60 goals next season with a full pre season under his belt but if you’re building around Charlie Curnow you’re doing it wrong. Hence no club at this point being serious about giving up a building block in return!

Should prob have a chat with Ed to maximise your career (before it’s too late).

 

[Blue_Fusion]

Interesting times for Carlton

Voss needs to improve the team otherwise it is likely to be his last. Hard to imagine a contract renewal if Carlton are still languishing in the bottom 8. Also hard to imagine being good enough for a finals birth.

Can't see the punters around here accepting 12th on the ladder in 2026.

Excuses will be plentiful for Motlop, Durdin, Khamis and CJ for ordinary form if Austin gets it wrong again and recruits sizzle (athleticism) with no substance ... but not much sympathy for Voss who isn't a Cat, so no 7 lives remaining for him, having already used one of his lives thanks to GW.

It's hard to imagine Carlton rising up the ladder ... so a tough Gig for Vossy next season.

As they say ... Nothing worth having comes easily.

I think the writing is on the wall with Voss anyway and he knows it.

We didn't sack him because we'd have to pay him out and there really wasn't anyone available worth chasing.

Plus the optics of sacking another coach is something they didn't want.

 

[CCurnow3picks]

If that’s the case then he and his management have also let their narrative spiral out of control.

I can’t see Charlie controlling this.

It’s another example of his management stuffing a negotiation up.

 

[The Bighouse]

Guaranteed it’s his idiot managers words to the media, thinking it’ll scare the club.
It’s not working.

Recently engaged Chuck - perhaps there’s more of a reason..

 

[DangerousD]

Fair enough, I was probably being a bit generous with the return.

So what would be your realistic trade scenario if he was to move to the Swans?

A 1st round this year (doesn’t have to be their current pick), their F1, then a player like Campbell or Hayward.

That gives Sydney a chance to trade down their pick to add some points for their academy picks.

I also think Florent will be available for a 3rd rounder if we wanted him

 

[4flagsin5yrs]

But it is a scorched earth rebuild? If we let Charlie go, then in two off-seasons we have removed: TDK, SOS, Docherty, Kennedy, Owies, Cincotta, Fantasia, Martin, Marchbank, Cuningham, Carroll, S Durdin, and likely Hollands (and possibly Curnow).

That's 14 players who were in their prime (aged 23-30). We HAD taken a decade to put together a list of 29 players in their prime, who played a preliminary final 2 years ago, and were on top of the ladder last year before injuries hit. We have cut half of that in 12 months.

What have we added in return? Nick Haynes (already 33), whatever you make of Frankie Evans, and a handful of late draft picks and rookie listers. Smith and O'Farrell - sorry, but you don't put any expectation on 19 year-olds who have done their ACL. That just isn't fair. If they play 100 games, good for them, but it is no guarantee.

If that isn't a 'scorched earth' rebuild, when it includes a dual Coleman medallist, first ruck and a former club captain, I don't know what it is? Richmond moved on 12 players aged 23+ in the 2023-2024 drafts, and that was considered 'scorched earth', but they at least had 5+ first-round picks across those two years.

We have no draft capital this year because we blew it all next year. We have father/son picks this year and next that will eat up our free agency compo and our natural draft picks.

The madness is that I don't think anyone realises how deep and long this rebuild will need to be. In 2015, we at least had Cripps/Docherty and nailed the first draft with Weitering/McKay/Curnow, and it still took 8 years to play finals. This time the cupboard is as bare as can be. Ollie Hollands? He's fine.

This scorched earth policy likely ends in more players leaving, as well. Walsh is a free agent next year, and there's no way he sticks around. Two years time, Haynes will be 35, Newman 34, Cripps, Williams, McGovern, Saad will be 33, and Hewett and Acres 32. Retirement or a pension year at another team start looking pretty good when you are a bottom 4 team.

I honestly cannot understand what we are doing. It feels like the Malthouse years all over again, watching Betts and Garlett and Waite and Robinson and co get pushed out the door, watching the disastrous 'trade back and then draft Blaine Boekhurst and DVR' train wreck in real time...

edit: which is to get back to the original point. The ONLY reason we should consider trading Charlie (as rumoured) is if we get back an all-time haul of players - we need a 5 player trade (perhaps including 1-2 draft picks) that off-sets the list train wreck we have put in place. Right now, our list has ONE thing going for it - we are the only team that can build around TWO Coleman medallists for the next 5 years.

Despite the house being on fire, that's a foundation of sorts - give Voss some mature adults to put around them (not the rookie-list and VFL crew he had this year), and we should be able to rebound to at least being competitive next year, and then keep our veterans going while filling gaps with free agents and father/son and academy players across the next 5 years, then making the smart play for younger guys later (ie: the Collingwood and Geelong strategy).

In their prime?

Doc was a shadow of his best.

TDK, SOS we know all about... Silvagni we wouldn't even talk about but for his surname...

Kennedy, Owies - would have kept them personally but losing Bam Bam got us HOF?

Cincotta - would have kept him.

Fantasia, Martin, Marchbank, Cuningham - perennially injured. Had next to no impact on the field...

Carroll - meh.

S Durdin - meh.

Hollands - can play but issues...

Curnow.


So, for at least 10 of the 14, it was effectively a cull of dead wood.

 

[agro]

The old saying "a rising tide lifts all ships" is the approach. No one should expect them to come in and be the new top 3 in our BnF. They're targeted additions that have skills and attributes we currently lack that will lift the bottom of the list, which is smart recruiting imo. Add CJ to that potentially, not perfect but his profile is one that we don't have a lot of.

Unless your ship has a gaping hole in it, or has hit an iceberg.

 

[Canyouhearthedrums]

If that’s the case then he and his management have also let their narrative spiral out of control.

Maybe. Or maybe they and club are on exactly the same page and neither side care what’s being written by media.

 

[4flagsin5yrs]

Interesting times for Carlton

Voss needs to improve the team otherwise it is likely to be his last. Hard to imagine a contract renewal if Carlton are still languishing in the bottom 8. Also hard to imagine being good enough for a finals birth.

Can't see the punters around here accepting 12th on the ladder in 2026 without the urge to tar & feather ol' mate Vossy.

Excuses will be plentiful for Motlop, Durdin, Khamis and CJ for ordinary form if Austin gets it wrong again and recruits sizzle (athleticism) with no substance ... but not much sympathy for Voss who isn't a Cat, so no 7 lives remaining for him, having escaped the plank on the Black Pearl thanks to GW.

It's hard to imagine Carlton rising up the ladder ... so a tough Gig for Vossy next season.

As they say ... Nothing worth having comes easily.

Why so?

None of our players had good years in 2025.. that won't repeat.

Plenty of lift from Weiters, Walsh, Cripps, Harry, Cez.

Newman back in the fold. Ditto Jagga.

Some organic growth - Mots, Cow, Moir, Hollands (back on a wing).

Some dead wood removed, replaced with upgrades....

Curnow if he goes will fetch us a very good player and more...

Need KPD and a ruck (Reidy?) in particular...

Looks like outside run is a priority.

 

[HereComesJuddy]

Cough up big time for a contracted Coleman medallist

BIG TIME

Sorry, couldn’t help it

 

[btdg]

In their prime?

Doc was a shadow of his best.

TDK, SOS we know all about... Silvagni we wouldn't even talk about but for his surname...

Kennedy, Owies - would have kept them personally but losing Bam Bam got us HOF?

Cincotta - would have kept him.

Fantasia, Martin, Marchbank, Cuningham - perennially injured. Had next to no impact on the field...

Carroll - meh.

S Durdin - meh.

Hollands - can play but issues...

Curnow.


So, for at least 10 of the 14, it was effectively a cull of dead wood.

But that isn't even remotely a 'cull of dead wood'

Curnow is a duel Coleman medallist in his prime. TDK, Silvagni, Kennedy are good players in their prime. So is Jack Martin who needs to be physically managed, but will play in a grand final in 2 days time. Hollands is good and young. Owies and Cincotta 'would have kept yhem'.

Carroll and Durdin = meh, but mature and solid and you need some solid reserves.

Basically, if you are losing Marchbank and Cunningham, and Docherty to retirement to injury you desperately need to hang onto your other 25-28 year old players and ideally add some replacements or risk tipping the team from contention back into a rebuild.

Which is exactly what we have done. It is mismanagement, pure and simple.

 

[The Bighouse]

Why so?

None of our players had good years in 2025.. that won't repeat.

Plenty of lift from Weiters, Walsh, Cripps, Harry, Cez.

Newman back in the fold. Ditto Jagga.

Some organic growth - Mots, Cow, Moir, Hollands (back on a wing).

Some dead wood removed, replaced with upgrades....

Curnow if he goes will fetch us a very good player and more...

Need KPD and a ruck (Reidy?) in particular...

Looks like outside run is a priority.

And the skills improvement required. Not sure what program we’re running on that, or borrowing from AusKick.