A BIT of a change-up in scenery definitely isn’t a bad thing, according to Charlie Curnow.

With the Blues having officially completed their pre-season camp for 2021, the energetic key forward believes it was just what the Blues needed. 

Curnow is approaching his seventh season in the Navy Blue, having arrived at the Club at the same time as Jacob Weitering, Harry McKay, David Cuningham and Jack Silvagni in that 2015 draft class. 

Speaking from Halls Gap, the 24-year-old said the chance to bond and not necessarily have conversations limited to just football was something the group thrived on.

“There’s been a bit of camping for the lads, which is definitely a bit of a change. We knocked off a 35-kilometre hike [on Thursday] so everyone is feeling a bit sore but happy to be here,” Curnow said.

“It’s less about football and more talking around the campfire, getting to know each other. 

“We’ve been together for a while now this group, so it’s probably going to help us even further with bonding more. Adding new players to the group and getting them involved, as well as a new coaching staff, has been good.”

In pre-Covid times, pre-season camp has generally involved a trip to sunny Mooloolaba for the Blues, but a new environment presented new opportunity.

That’s also been the case with a new-look coaching panel, which is implementing a new set of standards and practices both on and off the track.

While the camp in the Grampians meant phone reception was limited, it wasn’t completely new to the playing group, with phones off in certain areas of the football club (including the gym).

“The boys are pretty good at it! But it has another layer of not having phones in the gym and programs being on laptops now,” he said.

“It’s all adding to the environment and making it a comfortable place for the boys.

“It’s different having a new set of eyes and different coaches, a bit of a refresh. I think everyone is enjoying it.”

For Curnow, who was on the track from day one in pre-season, he was asked to offer up his pick of the bunch from pre-season training so far. 

Ever the diplomat, Curnow was instead keen to heap praise on the wider group.

“It’s hard to pick out one or two to be honest: I’ve been impressed with a lot of the guys,” he said.

“Obviously at this time of the year, the boys are running really well and we saw a few PBs on the first day back, which is great to see.

“A lot of the guys are running well, but the best thing is they’re performing well at training.”