As pre-season draws to its pointy end, marathon-man Ed Curnow has his sights firmly set on season 2017.
Featuring in 21 of Carlton’s 22 matches last year, Curnow barely missed a beat, finishing in the top five in the Blues' best and fairest for a second successive season.
With the focus now on the season ahead, the 27-year-old has identified better decision-making skills as a key to his improvement.
“My focus is on decision-making and being able to assess what’s around me,” Curnow told Carlton Media.
“(I’ll assess) If the pressure is on me and I’ve got time, or if I’m in a bit of space and can hold onto the ball and then release to an option that’s more clear.”
While the No.35 prepares for his seventh consecutive season at the Blues, Carlton’s new recruits are readying themselves for their first - and they’ve been impressive, according to Curnow.
“We’ve been able to draft some great young talent,” he said.
“They’ve been impressive, so it’s exciting.”
As the young Blues continue to develop their skills and learn the ropes of life at an AFL football club, they can be sure to be under the watchful eyes of the senior brigade.
“I’m looking for ultra-competitiveness (from youngsters) at training - guys that really care about improving, put the extra hours in away from the track and then are really respectful, listen and learn,” Curnow said.
“We’ve got great coaches at the footy club and some experienced leaders so if those young players work hard and have a competitive nature out on the track, that’s all you can ask for.”
With only three weeks until the beginning of the JLT Community Series, the Blues are raring to go.
“It’s been a good pre-season, we’ve (playing group) come a long way,” Curnow said.
“The players are super competitive and are really ready to play against some opposition to test our wares and what we’ve learnt over the past few months.”
Carlton will face Melbourne, St Kilda and Fremantle throughout the four-week series with each hit-out serving as a double header with Carlton’s AFLW team.
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