“TO JUDGE a group of players broadly is just unfair: you never know what’s going on in someone’s life.”

True Blue Ed Curnow is relishing the chance to be around his teammates in the Gold Coast hub: but he’s not begrudging anyone who isn’t.

A member of the AFL Players’ Association’s board, Curnow is fully aware of the sacrifices made by the playing group in recent days, relocating to the Gold Coast while his young family remains in Melbourne.

Speaking on Carlton Media’s latest edition of Spotlight, Curnow opened up, saying the decision to get up and go was centred around “a duty to the game”.

“A lot of the guys are really aware that us making the sacrifice to come away as a group and ‘hub up’ to keep the game going is benefitting the industry as a whole,” Curnow said.

“The playing group is really excited to just play footy, that’s our job. There’s a certain feeling of duty to the game.”

Curnow and wife Emily have welcomed two new members to the family in recent years, with son Will and daughter Alice.

While it was a “difficult” decision to move to the hub while they remained back in Melbourne, Curnow said it was important to weigh up all circumstances.

“We made the decision as a family that the hub would be difficult for our young family. We’ve got great support back home,” he said.

“The footy club was great: they said ‘you could bring your family’ and we’ll support them, or if you don’t bring them, we’ll support them back home… we feel really supported.”

Curnow said the recent criticism that players had received is unfair, encouraging the wider community to be mindful of individual circumstances.

“The environment with the pandemic worldwide, everyone has their own issues in life they’re dealing with at the moment,” he said.

“I think it’s best to have some empathy and support everyone that’s giving it a crack, no matter the decisions you’re making. The more we can support each other and make the best out of this situation, we’ll be well-placed.”

As the playing group continues to spend more and more time with one another, Curnow said the bonds and connection can only grow.

While he hasn’t had enough of his teammates - yet - there’s one element that Curnow isn’t particularly fond of.

“I played my first ever FIFA game: I hated it. I’m terrible at PlayStation games — or whatever you call that remote thing with the soccer on the TV,” he said.

“It’s been enjoyable. Ask me in a couple of weeks and I might change my answer!”

Carlton members: look in your inbox for a behind-the-scenes first look at the latest edition of Spotlight on life away from home, with insight from Curnow, Director of High Performance Andrew Russell and Club Psychologist Tarah Kavanagh.

The full video will be available to the wider public on carltonfc.com.au tomorrow.