Kane Cornes has delivered a blunt assessment of Charlie Curnow’s blockbuster move to Sydney, warning that the forward’s record-breaking deal will be judged solely by whether it brings the Swans a premiership.
Curnow, who made headlines with what Cornes described as “the biggest deal ever”, will now carry the weight of expectation as Sydney look to justify the enormous outlay for the two-time Coleman Medallist.
‘There needs to be a premiership in that four to five-year window’
Speaking on SEN, Cornes said: “It’s the biggest deal ever, he has to find a level of success that Jeremy Cameron had at Geelong. I like the deal for Sydney and Carlton, but time is going to judge this. There needs to be a premiership in that four to five-year window that he has signed for.”
The former Port Adelaide midfielder included Curnow at the top of his list of AFL players facing the most pressure heading into the 2026 season. According to Cornes, the high price tag and marquee status come with unavoidable scrutiny. “It’s all about performance now,” he said. “It’s all well and good to have said you want a move from your club or you want out, but now you have to be the difference maker for your team.”
Curnow’s move has already set off heated debate across the AFL landscape, with some pundits calling it a defining gamble for Sydney’s push towards another flag.