Carlton picked up a much-needed win on Saturday night, thrashing West Coast 44-152 at Optus Stadium.
In a confidence-boosting game, several star Blues had massive nights, in particular, key forward Charlie Curnow who booted nine goals to go with 14 marks and 18 disposals.
Given the Blues had failed to kick winning scores in recent weeks, leading journalist Damian Barrett pondered whether Carlton have figured out how to best use their star key forwards in Curnow and Harry McKay, with the pair combining for 11 majors.
“That’s the blueprint for how McKay and Curnow can play, albeit it’s against witches' hats,” Barrett said on Nine’s Sunday Footy Show.
“Can they transport that? If they play like that, clearly they’re going to be top four.”
After seemingly getting in the way of each other on occasion throughout the start of the season, Lloyd believes having Curnow close to goal and McKay leading up the ground is the best tactic to stick with for Michael Voss.
“They were so poor West Coast, but I think Carlton have worked it out,” Lloyd said.
“Harry is not even kicking that well, so we’ve got to keep him higher and keep Charlie as close to goal as possible.”
Lloyd believes keeping Curnow closest to goal is the best call given the 26-year-old is a “complete player” with strengths in every facet inside 50.
“The complete player is Charlie Curnow,” Lloyd said.
“What about the foot skills of this guy … they’re just getting better and better.
“How about his goalkicking? He has got a beautiful technique when he kicks for goal.
“And he’s got work rate … he’s got great craft for a key forward.
“That was the complete game for a champion key forward.”
Curnow and McKay will hope to continue their goal kicking ways when Carlton host Brisbane in a blockbuster Friday night clash at Marvel Stadium in Round 8.
"That was the complete game from a champion key forward."
— Footy on Nine (@FootyonNine) April 30, 2023
Matthew Lloyd heaps praise on Charlie Curnow, who he believes has become a 'complete' player. #9AFLSFS | @Channel9 pic.twitter.com/bohM0FdCzp