THURSDAY was a big day for Ed Curnow.

Announcing his retirement to not only the playing group, but also the wider staff of the whole football club, it was a chance for as true a Carlton person as any to say goodbye, but just as importantly, say thank you. His speech to the playing group got the exact reaction it deserved across social media that night.

Sitting down with Carlton Media to reflect on it all, the full transcript of the chat was too good not to post in its entirety. It's Ed to a t.

Big day last Thursday?

“It was a big day and one I’ve been thinking about for a while. It’s been a bit of a process, speaking with Brad Lloyd, Nick Austin, my management and ‘Vossy’. Throughout the year they’ve been fantastic, giving me great clarity because I needed that — otherwise I would’ve tried to go on forever. It’s been a nice experience. Hard, but I’m glad I got to do it this way and say thank you to everyone.” 

You said you’ve known for a while and it’s been a long process, but no matter how many times it runs through your head, you’ve still got to do it and get in front of the playing group — and, in your case, getting in front of the admin staff as well. What was that like, letting them know this season will be your last?

“It was difficult, because I’ve had such a great time at the footy club. I’ve met amazing people, made amazing friendships that I’ll have for life with coaches, teammates and staff that I’ve worked with. It’s been unreal. To have the opportunity to thank them, I wanted to put a little bit of thought into it. It was a really special day, to say thank you to everyone that has helped. To the fans and the supporter base, they’ve been unbelievable for me since I got here in the back end of 2010. It’s been a pretty awesome journey. We had some finals series there in 2011 and 2013, and we had some really tough periods. Our fanbase is so passionate, it’s so cool to be part of a club like this that brings a community together. 

“Anyone that goes for Carlton, you know, because they’re that type of person. Their heart is in it!”

How will you look back on all of this?

“My career at Carlton — I feel like I’m still growing up, but I’ve essentially grown up here. 

Have you? 

“I’ve tried to . . . I’ve done a poor job of it! 

“I met Emily, I’ve had kids, I’ve been able to share my journey with family, I’ve had different coaches and players and people I’ve worked with. We’ve all lived Covid, we’ve lived wooden spoons, we’ve lived getting into finals by default and beating Richmond at the MCG. Playing with some amazing players. It’s all those memories of going to work every day, getting to come into Carlton, being at Princes Park and going to work. It’s unreal. The memories will be with me forever.”

It seems like you’ve come to terms with it, and maybe you have for a while. But, still — a dumb question, will you miss it?

“Of course I’ll miss it. I needed ‘Vossy’ and ‘Lloydy’ to tell me it was done. I’m not very good knowing when my time was done. Being told helped a lot: that clarity has been unreal. I’ll miss it, but it’s onto the next thing. I’ll enjoy whatever that’ll be.”

You said last year that when you got a one-year contract extension, you thought it may have been the end and the Club had no responsibility to give you an extra year. Are you glad you got that extra one, playing with Charlie again and having all those moments in the rooms that you did have?

“I am. My 2022 season, I was injured for the majority of the year. I had a poor year and I felt like I didn’t enjoy it: anybody who’s been injured has been in that situation. I was desperate to get back and play with Charlie, but also play with my teammates and just play footy. I love playing footy. To get that one extra year, I’m stoked. I’m still hoping I can impact September and I’ll still be around, enjoying it as much as I can and being disappointed when I don’t get selected, turning up and supporting the guys that do get selected. It’s part of footy. I can’t thank the Club enough for the opportunity it has given me.”

You came to the Club in the years after it had made finals for the first time in quite a while, winning a final for the first time in 10 years in your first season. The team is now back in finals for the first time in a decade — it’s well and truly come full circle for you.

“Yep, it has! It does turn. If you’re a Carlton supporter out there dreaming or hoping that it’ll get better, it happens. 2023 has been an amazing year. From the Board and President, to the CEO, to staff, to Michael Voss, to the captain, players, AFLW, everybody that makes up the Club — they’ve helped us rebound. They’ve held a strong line. We were six losses in a row, it sounded like we’d be sacking ‘Vossy’ and moving on from coaches, nobody was going to be here! Then bang, we win nine. It’s really been from the support of a whole heap of people, a lot of trust and belief and people sticking to their roles. It’s been a cool experience.”

Main highlights?

“First game. I’ll never forget it: it takes a long time, it took me a long time to get it. A lot of people helped me get there, so I’ll never forget that first game against the Tigers at the MCG: we won, that was before they turned it on! My other one is playing with Charlie. Getting to experience playing with your brother is unique. The chances of getting selected to the same club are pretty low, and it’s been unreal to play with and share that with my family.

Favourite teammates? 

“Well . . .”

Non-Charlie teammates.

“Oh.”

You can give a shoutout here to the ones that people may not think of.

“It’s probably the guys like Tommy Bell, Sammy Rowe, Simon White — really good friends from my years in that tough period at the Blues. When I first got there, guys I looked up to were Nick Duigan, Chris Judd, Andrew Carrazzo, I loved ’Scotto’. Now to the newer wave of younger guys, the surf bus team of Jack Newnes, Charlie and Tom De Koning. Zac Fisher and Matty Cottrell don’t surf, but they’re pretty funny to have on the bus.”

What’s next?
“Who knows what’s next? I’ve got no idea, but I’m looking forward to whatever challenge lies ahead.”