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WATCH: Field of Dreams finalists“I hope he goes really well”: Cripps opens up on Curnow trade
SEN • November 14th, 2025 5:34 pm
Carlton captain Patrick Cripps wishes his former teammate Charlie Curnow well after he pushed for a trade to Sydney last month.
Curnow was eventually dealt to the Swans on trade deadline day, with Sydney giving up Will Hayward and three first-round picks, with Carlton giving up the two-time Coleman winner and three later picks to sweeten the transaction.
While many Carlton fans were despondent seeing their superstar forward go at the age of 28, Cripps only wants his close friend to be happy and play good football, even if it’s for a rival club.
“It’s always tough seeing a good mate go, he’s been big (for us), but at the end of the day we’ve got a core group that can push us forward,” Cripps told SEN Afternoons.
“I caught up with Charlie a fair bit over that time (during trade talks), and for me, I actually just want to see the big fella play really good footy and be happy.
“Obviously, I want to beat him when we play him, for sure. But, if you look at it in total as a mate, I hope he goes really well out there.
“I hope he gets the love for the game up there, and plays some really good footy and be happy.”
As well as Hayward, the Blues netted Ollie Florent from the Swans in an earlier deal on deadline day.
With two players arriving at the club with plenty of experience at Sydney, Cripps expects the overall deals between the two clubs to work out as a win-win.
“I’m happy with the guys we got in as well,” Cripps said.
“Obviously, a few of the Swans boys come in with Will (Hayward) and Ollie (Florent), and I’ve already caught up with them, they’re great fellas and they’re going to get to work.
“I reckon it's going to be a great result for both clubs, and I hope he goes well.”
Unsurprisingly, the AFL made the most of Curnow’s move when it came to fixturing, billing the Swans to host the Blues in an Opening Round season-starting clash on March 5.
Cripps is excited to get up to the Harbour City and play against his good friend in what he’s tipping to be a great contest.
“It’s funny the AFL, they might have put that on purpose, I reckon,” Cripps said.
“But it'll be good and it’ll be good to get up there as well. The boys we got will obviously play against their mates as well as us playing Charlie. It’s a good way to kick off, and I really respect the way Swans go about it.
“I'm sure it'll be a great contest to kick off the season.”
