Carlton announce Charlie Curnow sent in for knee surgery while Alex Cincotta suffers hip injury

Carlton have been dealt an early blow with utility Alex Cincotta set for hip surgery, while superstar forward Charlie Curnow is headed in for a clean-up of his knee, albeit for an issue less serious.

The Blues announced on Saturday that Cincotta, who has carved out a crucial role as a tagging option, will go under the knife to “correct a hip issue”.

“The 27-year-old has been unable to train over the last week due to the injury, with further specialist consultation this week confirming surgery would be required,” a statement on Carlton’s website says.

“Cincotta is expected to be sidelined for the next four to five months, with the aim to be available to play early in the season.”

Curnow meantime had already been in the rehab group, but will now miss the club’s upcoming Sunshine Coast pre-season camp, instead staying in Melbourne to recover from knee surgery.

Curnow, Blake Acres (back), Corey Durdin (shoulder), Matthew Cottrell (shoulder), Jack Silvagni (knee) and Matt Duffy (knee) all remain on modified programs and are aiming to integrate back into the main group in January.

On Curnow, the Blues said: “The club has made the proactive decision to complete the minor procedure early next week, to ensure Curnow’s availability for the start of the season will not be impacted.”

The Blues will head into 2025 with a weight of pressure on their shoulders after being smashed out of the elimination final against eventual premiers Brisbane this year.

Pre-season flag fancies, the Blues scraped into the finals in 2024 and were emphatically knocked out.

It was a huge let-down for a large and long-suffering supporter base following the previous year’s preliminary final appearance.

Vice-captain Sam Walsh said the Blues will be driven more by ambition than pressure in 2025, as they seek to end a flag drought that has reached its 30th year.

“As a group I think we are pretty ambitious and those goals will probably stay in-house, but we’ve got to let our footy do the talking,” Walsh said this month.

“We want to play a powerful brand on the offensive end and defensive end.

“The growth comes from our consistency because we know that’s wavered the past couple of years.

“It’s easy to be feeling fresh now, but how can we emulate that when we’re at round 13-14 and still bring that same energy?”

Walsh has been troubled by ongoing back issues over the past two years, but hopes an uninterrupted summer program can set him up to play a big role in Carlton’s flag bid.

“The biggest thing for me is getting a full pre-season under my belt,” the 24-year-old said.

“I do that by putting in the work and listening to my body, which I have been.

“From there, I want to really get after my power running, which is the way the game’s going.

“A lot of the boys have shown growth in that area and that’s what I’m going after too.”

Walsh has established himself as one of Carlton’s most important midfielders alongside skipper Patrick Cripps over 119 games, but only now believes he is reaching his prime.

“My body’s getting to that stage where you’re starting to feel fairly developed and the work you put in throughout those (previous) five or six years compounds,” Walsh said.

“I feel I can really get after it and am starting to know my game really well and how that complements the midfield.”

More than three months out from the Blues’ season opener against Richmond, Walsh is already excited by the prospect of lining up alongside No.3 draft pick Jagga Smith.

The Oakleigh Chargers product arrives with huge expectation on his shoulders, as Walsh did as the top draft pick in 2018.

“He’s fairly competitive, which is what you like,” Walsh said of his fellow midfielder.

“Guys that have played a high level for so long just know what it takes, and he’s shown that.

“He’s had a bit of that leadership quality, and it will be cool to see him grow as well.”

- With AAP